Why Should I Care About Carbon Monoxide?

It Kills
Many Canadians die every year from carbon monoxide poisoning in their own homes, most of them while sleeping.

It Injures
Hundreds of Canadians are hospitalized every year from carbon monoxide poisoning, many of whom are permanently disabled

Everyone is at Risk
88% of all homes have something that poses a carbon monoxide threat.

What is Carbon Monoxide?

• colourless, odourless, tasteless, toxic gas
• enters the body through the lungs during the normal breathing process
• replaces oxygen in the blood and prevents the flow of oxygen to the heart, brain and other vital organs

Where does Carbon Monoxide Come From?

Produced when carbon-based fuels are incompletely burned:

• Wood
• Propane
• Natural Gas
• Heating Oil
• Coal
• Kerosene
• Charcoal
• Gasoline

What Are the Main Sources of Carbon Monoxide in my Home?

Additional sources include: Wood burning/gas stoves, gas refrigerators, gasoline engines, kerosene heaters and others.

How Can I Tell if There is a Carbon Monoxide Leak in my Home?

Personal

• Headache, nausea, burning eyes, fainting, confusion, drowsiness.
• Often mistaken for common ailments like the flu
• Symptoms improve when away from the home for a period of time
• Symptoms experienced by more than one member of the household.
• Continued exposure to higher levels may result in unconscious, brain damage and death.
• The elderly, children and people with heart or respiratory conditions may be particularly sensitive to carbon monoxide.

Environment

• Air feels stale/stuffy
• Excessive moisture on windows or walls
• Sharp penetrating odour or smell of gas when furnace or other fuel burning appliance turns on.
• Burning and pilot light flames are yellow/orange, not blue
• Pilot light on the furnace or water heater goes out
• Chalky white powder or soot build up occurs around exhaust vent or chimney.

How Can I protect Myself and my Family?

“Regularly maintained appliances that are properly ventilated should not produce hazardous levels of carbon monoxide”

Carbon Monoxide Awareness Committee

• Have a qualified service professional inspect your fuel burning appliance(s) at least once per year.
• Have you chimney inspected and cleaned every year by a W.E.T.T. certified professional.
• Be sure your carbon monoxide detector has been certified to the Canadian Standard Association (CSA) CAN/CGA 6.19 standard or the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 2034 standard.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector in or near the sleeping area(s) of the home.
• Install the carbon monoxide detector(s) in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

What Should I Do if my Carbon Monoxide Detector Starts Beeping?

ALWAYS REACT TO A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR THAT HAS ALARMED!

To Keep Safe Please Remember:

• You have a responsibility to know about the dangers of carbon monoxide. Your knowledge and actions may save lives.
• A carbon monoxide detector is a good second line of defense. It is not a substitute for the proper care and maintenance of your fuel burning appliance(s).
• Take the time to learn about the use of carbon monoxide detectors in your home to ensure you are using the equipment properly and effectively.

Where Can I Get More Information:

Markham Fire & Emergency Services 905-415-7521

Markham Hydro 905-477-3810

Enbridge Consumers Gas 416-447-4911

Technical Standards and Safety Authority 416-325-2000