Oakville Residents Reminded About Dangers of Carbon Monoxide
Published November 2, 2017 at 3:21 pm
The Oakville Fire Department is reminding residents of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.
The Oakville Fire Department is reminding residents of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.
“The effects of CO poisoning can be devastating, yet they are easily preventable,” said OFD public education officer Glenn Barwell.
“Make sure you are protected by getting alarms that sound when CO is present and having fuel burning appliances serviced and chimneys swept every year.”
Residents are being encouraged to replace batteries in their CO and smoke alarms when they change their clocks for the end of daylight saving time on Sunday, Nov. 5.
Videos
Known as the silent killer, carbon monoxide is an invisible, tasteless and odourless gas that can be deadly.
In Ontario, more than 80 per cent of all carbon monoxide deaths and injuries take place in homes, says the OFD.
CO alarms are mandatory in homes and other residential buildings.
If your home has fuel-burning appliances or an attached garage, you’re advised to install a CO alarm next to each sleeping area.
All fuel-burning appliances should be inspected annually, with CO and smoke detectors tested on a regular basis.
Properly working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms can save lives — nearly half of all fatal fires in Ontario occur because there are no working smoke alarms in the home, says the OFD, most often because the alarms aren’t functional or batteries are missing.
Smoke alarms are required on every storey and outside each sleeping area. The Oakville Fire department recommends installing a smoke alarm inside all bedrooms.
SAFETY TIPS
Smoke alarms wear out after 10 years, carbon monoxide alarms may be less.
You must install a carbon monoxide alarm adjacent to all sleeping areas if your home has fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace oa an attached garage.
Always follow manufacturer’s instructions when installing or replacing your alarms.
Oakville Fire department recommends hiring a licensed electrical contractor. To find one in your area, check out the Electrical Safety Authority.
It’ the law in Ontario to have working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms in your house and cottage. The mandatory CO Law enforcement date for residential buildings with less than six suites was April 15, 2015.
Many Ontario households have, on average, four to six fuel-burning appliances that produce carbon monoxide.
Here’s a safety checklist.
Photo courtesy of the Oakville Professional Firefighters Association
insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising