Carbon monoxide detectors officially mandatory in most Ontario homes
Posted April 15, 2015 9:03 am.
Last Updated April 15, 2015 9:31 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A new law now makes it mandatory for most Ontario homes to have a carbon monoxide detector installed.
It applies to high-risk homes that have at least one fuel-burning appliance, like a gas furnace or gas water heater, or an attached garage.
Condos and apartments have until October to place detectors in every unit that has a fuel-burning appliance. Otherwise, the detectors must be placed by the service room.
The law was passed in October and was given a six-month grace period so homeowners could purchase the alarms.
Anyone who fails to comply with the new law could be fined up to $50,000.
Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless and tasteless. Roughly 80 per cent of poisoning deaths and injuries are caused from carbon monoxide.
On average, more than 50 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning in Canada, including 11 in Ontario.
John Ward with Kidde Canada, an alarm manufacturer, told Breakfast Television the symptoms can feel quite common to the flu.
“You can have nausea. You could be dizzy. The difference is with carbon monoxide, you don’t have a fever,” Ward said.
“The best option is to have to carbon monoxide alarm on every level.”
Click here to read more information on carbon monoxide detectors.
