WHITEWATER REGION TOWNSHIP — Every home in Ontario is to have a working smoke alarm and a carbon monixide detector. That is the law as of yesterday (Oct. 15).
Whitewater Region Township Fire Chief Wayne Heubner said for years the law was every single home has to have at least one working smoke detector.
As of Oct. 15, there now has to be one working carbon monide detector as well, he said.
“It will be difficult to enforce it,” he said. “But, when there is a home inspection, or if you have a fire at your place, we take note and make sure you have one.”
Carbon monoxide detectors can be purchased at Schauer’s Home Hardware in Cobden, or any similar store, for about $20 to $40, the chief said.
While the law for carbon monoxide detectors have been in the works for years, it really came to the forefront when a family, mom, dad, and two children, died due to this poisonous gas, Chief Heubner said.
“Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odorless gas,” he said. “Carbon monoxide is produced by many things. Certain appliances will (produce this gas). Your fridge could, your stove will, wood stoves will. CO2 can be produced anywhere.”
A local family had a close call, he recalled. They were suffering massive headaches, but didn’t know why. It was discovered their furnace was faulty, he explained.
Since it is odorless, Chief Heubner said if people in a home are suffering from severe headaches, and yet they go away when they go outside, there’s a good chance it could be from carbon monoxide.
“When you go out in the fresh air, your headache will go away,” he said. “It’s a colourless, odorless gas.”
Years ago when smoke detectors were required, fire departments used to give them out for free. However, that policy won’t come into play with carbon monoxide detectors, Chief Heubner said.
“They’re more sophisticated and there’s no money in our budget,” he said.
As for smoke detectors, Chief Heubner said there is “zero tolerance in the province. We recommend a smoke detector on every floor of your home.”
He also reminds people, it’s almost that time of year to change the batteries in your smoke detectors. It’s recommended the batteries be changed when you change your clock, which happens on Nov. 2 this year. As a reminder, the clocks go back one hour at 2 a.m.
