WHITEWATER REGION TOWNSHIP — Do you know there could be a silent killer in your home?
And, did you know by April 15 you must install a detector for this silent killer?
Well, if you didn’t know these two things …. Now you do.
The silent killer is Carbon Monoxide (CO), which is a deadly gas found inside a home that uses natural gas, propane, heating oil, kerosene, coal, charcoal, gasoline, wood or other bio-fuels. This gas is colourless, odourless and tasteless, hence, the term silent killer.
A carbon monoxide detector must be in every home by April 15, as mandated by the Ontario Fire Marshall’s Office.
Whitewater Region Township’s fire prevention officers Terry Moore and Roy Church want to ensure that everyone realizes the importance of installing a CO detector.
They noted it’s not just what you heat your house with, but it could be a vehicle idling in an attached garage, or a portable generator operating near an open window or in the garage or an outdoor barbecue operated inside a home.
“When these devices are properly installed, maintained and vented, the CO produced can be prevented from reaching unsafe levels in the home,” Mr. Moore said.
So, how do you know if you have CO poisoning? Symptoms include flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, burning eyes, confusion, drowsiness and even loss of consciousness, Mr. Church noted. If you suspect CO poisoning, leave the home immediately leaving the door open and contact your local fire department or call 911, he said.
To detect carbon monoxide, an alarm is required, Mr. Moore noted. Carbon monoxide alarms monitor airborne concentration levels of carbon monoxide and sound an alarm when harmful CO levels are present, he added.
The alarms can be plugged into an outlet or direct wire, depending on which a person purchases, Mr. Moore said.
If the alarm sounds, it’s important people don’t assume it’s a false alarm, Mr. Moore said.
Open all the doors and windows to ventilate the home and then unplug and reset the alarm, he said. If it goes off right away again, call the fire department, he stressed.
Proper placement of a CO alarm is important, Mr. Moore said. People are most vulnerable to the effects of CO while asleep, so an alarm must be located in or as near as possible to the sleeping area of the home, he said. If there are sleeping areas in separate parts of the home, an alarm must also be provided for each area, he added.
Failure to comply with the CO alarm requirements could result in a fine of up to $50,000 for individuals or $100,000 for corporations.
Mr. Church noted that more than 50 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning in Canada, including, on average, 11 people in Ontario.
