Carbon monoxide: Preventing exposure

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Preventing carbon monoxide poisoning in your home

Follow these tips to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning at home.

If your carbon monoxide alarm sounds

You cannot see, smell or taste carbon monoxide. It can only be detected with a carbon monoxide alarm (also commonly known as a CO detector).

Follow these steps if your carbon monoxide alarm sounds:

  1. Leave your home immediately and move to fresh air.
  2. Do not try to locate the source of carbon monoxide.
  3. Once outside, call 9-1-1, your local fire department or emergency services.
  4. Return to your home only after the problem has been fixed by a professional.

Keep carbon monoxide out

Keep the air in indoor spaces clean and free of carbon monoxide by following these tips:

Never operate outdoor equipment that uses fuel, charcoal or wood inside a:

Never run or turn on gas-powered equipment in the garage or shed. This includes:

Never use kerosene, propane or oil space heaters and lamps in enclosed areas unless they're specifically designed for indoor use.

Generator safety

Operate your generator safely by following these tips:

Regular appliance maintenance and inspections

You can help prevent carbon monoxide from being released into your home by keeping your fuel-burning appliances well-maintained. Have a professional inspect them at least once a year or in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

If you have a wood-burning fireplace, have the chimney cleaned every year.

Regularly examine propane- and natural gas-powered appliances and outdoor fuel-burning equipment for:

Inspect exhaust vents during and after snowstorms to make sure they aren’t blocked with ice or covered by snow or debris. Do this for your:

Carbon monoxide alarms

Carbon monoxide can only be detected with a carbon monoxide alarm.

If you have or use combustion appliances and equipment in your home, you should install:

The most important place to install a carbon monoxide alarm is in hallways, outside of sleeping areas. It will have an audible alarm to warn you of high carbon monoxide levels in your home.

Smoke alarms alert you to fires, not carbon monoxide. You can buy a carbon monoxide alarm at any hardware or home equipment store.

Choose an alarm with a digital display that shows low carbon monoxide levels. These devices can display levels that won’t trigger the alarm, helping you to:

Make sure to follow the manufacturer's suggestions for:

Contact your local fire department if you need help or advice with your smoke alarms.

Learn about fire safety in your home

Certification marks

When buying carbon monoxide alarms at stores or online, it’s important to look for products that are certified for use in Canada.

The certification marks must be to Canadian safety standards.

Carbon monoxide alarms with a Canadian certification mark have been tested by laboratory professionals. The mark shows that the product meets the requirements of Canadian safety standards.

Certification marks must be found on the carbon monoxide alarm and product packaging.

Here are some common Canadian certification marks you may find on carbon monoxide alarms and their packaging:

CSA certification mark for Canada
Text description - CSA certification mark

Certification mark for CSA Group. The letters CSA written in the shape of a circle.

Binational CSA certification mark (Canada/US)
Text description - Binational CSA certification mark

Certification mark for CSA Group. The letters CSA written in the shape of a circle, with the letter C on the left and the letter US on the right.

Intertek certification mark for Canada
Text description - Intertek certification mark

Certification mark for Electrical Testing Laboratories. The letters ETL in a circle that includes the word ‘listed’. Under the circle is a line and the word ‘Intertek’. The letter C is to the left of the circle.

Binational Intertek certification mark (Canada/US)
Text description - Binational Intertek certification mark

Certification mark for Electrical Testing Laboratories. The letters ETL in a circle that includes the word ‘listed’. Under the circle is a line and the word ‘Intertek’. The letter C is written on the left and the letters US are on the right of the circle.

Binational UL certification mark (Canada/US)
Text description - Binational UL certification mark

Certification mark for Underwriters Laboratory. A black circle with the letters UL inside and the letter C outside on the left. the word 'listed’ is below the circle.

UL certification mark for Canada
Text description - UL certification mark

Certification mark for Underwriters Laboratory. A black circle with the letters UL inside and the letter C outside on the left. the word 'listed’ is below the circle.

CSA certification mark indicating certification to CSA 6.19 (standard for CO alarms)
Text description - CSA certification mark indicating certification to CSA 6.19

Certification mark for CSA Group. The letters CSA written in the shape of a circle below a flame. The word ‘certified’ is underneath the flame. A thin circle surrounds the mark. Below the circle are the words ‘CSA 6.19- (year date)’.

If a product is sold online, its description may also indicate if the alarm is certified to Canadian safety standards. If you’re not sure, ask the seller. Only purchase from sellers that can confirm that the product:

Online shopping: Product safety

Test carbon monoxide alarms regularly

Test your carbon monoxide alarms regularly. Replace batteries and the alarm as recommended by the manufacturer. Write on the battery or device to remind yourself when it was installed and when it should be replaced. Check the expiry date of your alarms and replace them when necessary.

Contact your local fire department for more information on the use and installation of carbon monoxide alarms in your area.

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