Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week Begins in Ontario

Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week is November 1 through 7

TORONTO, Oct. 30, 2026 /CNW/ -- Ontario's Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week begins Sunday, November 1 to educate Ontarians about the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) and to provide strategies to stay safe from CO exposure.

With the colder weather setting in, the use of fuel-burning heating sources Ontarians use to stay warm increases, and with it the risk of CO in the home, making CO exposure a deadly mix of timing and circumstance.

"Protecting Ontario starts at home. During Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week, I encourage everyone to take a few simple steps to protect themselves and their loved ones," said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. "A working carbon monoxide alarm is the best way to detect this invisible threat and provide an early warning that can save lives. Working together, we can help prevent tragedies and keep Ontario families and communities safe."

Whether you live in a house, condo, own, or rent, "Every Home Needs a Voice."

By law you must have a working CO alarm on every storey and adjacent to each sleeping area of the home if you have:

• a fuel-burning appliance (like a furnace, water heater, or stove that uses natural gas, propane, oil, or wood)
• a fireplace
• an attached garage
• direct heat by forced-air from a fuel-burning appliance located outside the home

CO is an invisible, odourless, and tasteless gas that is detected with a working CO alarm. Exposure to CO can lead to serious health risks – including death – making it critical for families to take action. "Because the threat is impossible to detect without an alarm, preventative measures are critical to minimize the risks of CO exposure," says Ontario Fire Marshal Jon Pegg.

CO poisoning may present as flu-like symptoms and can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and breathlessness which can escalate to unconsciousness or death if left unchecked.

Testing your CO alarms monthly ensures they are functional and ready to alert you in the event of CO exposure. "Only a working CO alarm can detect a CO leak which is why it's so important to minimize exposure to this deadly gas. Test CO alarms monthly, change the batteries yearly, and replace the unit every 10 years," Pegg added.

When the CO alarm sounds, it's important for all occupants of the home to exit, seek fresh air, and call 9-1-1.

Protect yourself and your family by following these steps to stay safe from CO exposure: 

1. Ensure CO alarms have a CSA (Canadian Standards Association), ULC (Underwriters Laboratories of Canada), or ETL (Intertek) mark of certification
2. Know the sound of your CO alarm
3. Check your CO alarm's "replace by" date
4. Call a licensed TSSA-registered Fuels Contractor to maintain, repair, and inspect gas-fueled appliances

For more information visit Ontario.ca/CarbonMonoxide and follow the OFM on X, Instagram, and Facebook for safety tips and reminders to keep Ontarians informed and protected.

Quick Facts: 

• Ontario fire departments responded to an annual average of 4,070 calls where CO was present between 2020 and 2024 
• CO alarms are legally required on all storeys and adjacent to each sleeping area in any residence with fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces, and attached garages
• CO is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas that can be fatal, often referred to as "The Silent Killer"
• Symptoms of CO poisoning include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and breathlessness 
• An activated CO alarm sounds different from a smoke alarm, emitting four beeps in quick succession

SOURCE Office of the Fire Marshal

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