Fire Services urges residents to be told of recent hearth code to guard in opposition to the silent killer

Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week returns for 2025, and St. Catharines Fire Services is just not solely reminding residents of correct upkeep of carbon monoxide alarms and fuel-burning home equipment, but in addition warning property house owners of legislative modifications that may affect necessities in residential dwellings.

Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week runs from Nov. 1 to 7. Carbon monoxide (CO) is called the silent killer as a result of it has no style or odor and is in any other case undetectable with out a carbon monoxide alarm. Exposure to CO causes flu-like signs similar to complications, nausea, dizziness in addition to confusion, drowsiness, lack of consciousness and in the end dying. In Ontario 65 per cent of CO-related deaths happen within the residence.

The Ontario Fire Code has vital modifications coming into impact on Jan 1, 2026 relating to the quantity and placement of CO alarms in residential dwellings. Residents are beneficial to enact these modifications as quickly as potential for added security:

• Ontario Regulation 87/25 (O. Reg. 87/25) made underneath the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, makes modifications to the Ontario Fire Code (O. Reg 213/07) that features further carbon monoxide detector necessities.
• Under the up to date rules, all residential occupancies together with properties, residences and different dwellings that include a fuel-burning equipment, hearth, or connected storage should have:
• A carbon monoxide (CO) alarm adjoining to every sleeping space.
• A CO alarm on every storey with out a sleeping space (on each ground).

“These new requirements are aimed at enhancing public safety. Carbon monoxide is the silent killer because you can’t see it and you can’t smell it. Working alarms guard your family against the threat, but for them to do the job they need to be installed in the proper locations and be in working order,” mentioned Deputy Fire Chief Andrea DeJong, including, “Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week is the perfect time to test your alarms, check your batteries, ensure they are properly installed, and that they have not expired.”

Ontario legislation requires property house owners to put in carbon monoxide alarms within the sleeping areas of properties which have wooden burning fireplaces, connected garages or fuel-burning home equipment, similar to fuel furnaces, fuel stoves or fuel water heaters, along with the brand new modifications required.

The legislation additionally applies to residential properties with a number of dwellings, low-rise and high-rise buildings and requires carbon monoxide alarms in numerous areas of the buildings, together with residential models close to service rooms with fuel-burning home equipment and models adjoining to parking garages.

While alarms present warning of a doubtlessly lethal CO leak, owners can go even additional to guard themselves and their households by guaranteeing fuel-burning home equipment, similar to furnaces and water heaters, are routinely inspected and maintained.

Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week is a reminder to take motion – to have these home equipment inspected by a licensed contractor. Homeowners and landlords ought to at all times have fuel-burning home equipment inspected yearly, with a plan for normal upkeep.

Be positive to know the sounds of your CO alarm. A CO alarm sounds completely different than a smoke alarm. Test each alarms month-to-month and ensure everybody in your house is aware of the distinction between the 2 alarm sounds.

If a CO alarm sounds and an occupant is affected by any publicity signs, instantly exit the house and name 911. If no signs are skilled make sure the alarm doesn’t want new batteries and isn’t expired earlier than calling 911.