Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week is ending. Keep the safety checks going.
Working CO alarms, regular appliance maintenance and clear vents all help protect your household throughout the year.
Keep these reminders on your calendar:
✅ Test CO alarms monthly and check their expiry dates. ✅ Arrange regular inspections for fuel-burning appliances. ✅ Keep vents and chimneys clear. ✅ Make sure everyone knows what to do if a CO alarm sounds.
Carbon monoxide has no smell or colour. Exposure can still cause symptoms. Headache, dizziness, nausea and unusual tiredness can be signs of CO poisoning. Symptoms may resemble the flu, without a fever.
Pay particular attention if several people in your home feel unwell at the same time. If you suspect CO exposure, get everyone outside immediately and call 911. Seek urgent medical attention if anyone feels ill.
If your carbon monoxide alarm sounds, act immediately.
Everyone in your household should know these steps:
➡️ Get everyone, including pets, outside into fresh air. ➡️ Call 911 from a safe location. ➡️ Stay outside until emergency responders say it’s safe to return.
Don’t wait for symptoms or try to find the source yourself.
Take a moment to share these steps with the people you live with.
Your winter checklist should include what’s outside your home, too. Blocked vents and chimneys can prevent exhaust gases from escaping properly, increasing the risk of carbon monoxide entering your home.
Keep outdoor vents clear of snow, ice and debris, and have chimneys inspected and cleaned as needed. Indoors, check your furnace filter regularly and clean or replace it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Keep these checks on your list throughout the heating season.