Home Heating and Carbon Monoxide

Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home. You can purchase them at most hardware stores. Make sure they are properly installed and are always working.

Where to install and what to look for in a carbon monoxide alarm. Unlike smoke, which rises to the ceiling, CO mixes with air. If a combination smoke/carbon monoxide detector is used, it should be located on the ceiling to ensure that it will detect smoke effectively. CO alarms should not be installed near fuel burning appliances. When choosing a CO alarm, look for the CSA Blue Flame mark and the reference “CSA 6.19-01” – the most up-to-date Canadian standard. This shows that the alarm meets recognized standards for safety.

Install carbon monoxide alarms adjacent to the bedrooms in your home. If there are bedrooms on more than one floor in your home, install CO alarms on those floors as well so you can hear the alarm.

CO alarms should be installed as per manufacturer’s instructions. Follow the same manufacturer’s maintenance procedures as you would with smoke alarms.

Learn more about Carbon Monoxide Safety from SafetyInfo.ca