Carbon monoxide safety tips

Carbon monoxide is a tasteless, colourless, and odourless gas commonly known as the “silent killer” for a reason—it’s dangerous and impossible to detect without the right tools. Many people think about it more in the winter when fireplaces and furnaces are running, but the truth is, it’s a year-round risk. So, if you've ever wondered what you should know about carbon monoxide, this blog is for you!

What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas you can’t see, smell, or taste, making it especially dangerous. It’s a common by-product of burning fossil fuels like oil, gas, or coal when combustion isn’t complete. Because it’s undetectable without an alarm, CO can put your health at risk before you even realize it’s there. Even low levels of exposure over time can make you sick.

Where does carbon monoxide come from?

A surprising number of everyday items can produce carbon monoxide, which is why properly installing and maintaining appliances is key to keeping your home safe. Here are some common sources of CO you might have in and around your home:

• Clothes dryers
• Furnaces
• Water heaters and boilers
• Wood-burning stoves and fireplaces
• Natural gas stoves, ovens, and fireplaces
• Portable fuel-burning generators
• Fuel-burning space heaters
• Vehicles and boats
• Gas-powered tools and lawn equipment, such as lawn mowers or snowblowers
• Barbeques, grills, and camping stoves

How does your home get filled with carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is a by-product of fuel-burning appliances, but under normal conditions, it’s not a big concern. When everything is working properly—appliances, vents, and airflow—any CO produced is minimal and safely vented outside. But trouble starts when something goes wrong. A malfunctioning appliance, clogged vents, a blocked chimney, or even a car left running inside a garage can trap CO inside your home, creating a serious risk.

Further, if a fire breaks out in your home, breathing in the smoke can also cause carbon monoxide poisoning. That’s why it’s important to be aware of common fire hazards in your kitchen or any other room in your home.

What is carbon monoxide poisoning?

Carbon monoxide is extremely dangerous—at high levels, it can be deadly in under five minutes. Even at lower levels, it can have serious health effects.

The problem is that CO takes the place of oxygen in your blood, cutting off the oxygen your body needs. Since organs like your brain and heart depend on a steady oxygen supply, CO exposure can be especially harmful. Let’s explore the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning:

Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning

Here are some common indicators of carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Disorientation
• Vomiting
• Loss of consciousness
• Death

If you notice even mild symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, don’t wait—see a doctor right away or call 911. Ontario.ca reports that more than 65% of carbon monoxide-related injuries and deaths in the province happen right at home. Fortunately, CO poisoning is completely preventable. The best way to stay safe is to have a licensed professional inspect your fuel-burning appliances every year. And make sure you install working carbon monoxide alarms—they’ll alert you if CO levels become dangerous.

If you live in an apartment, your landlord is responsible for installing and maintaining carbon monoxide alarms in your unit. It's important that during a landlord inspection, they check that the CO alarms are working correctly. Keep in mind that tenants aren’t allowed to remove the batteries or tamper with CO alarms—it’s actually against the law.

Carbon monoxide safety tips to prevent CO poisoning

Knowing how to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning is key to keeping your home and family safe. Now that you’re aware of where carbon monoxide can come from and how dangerous CO poisoning is, here are some important safety tips to help you stay safe:

• Place at least one battery-powered or plug-in carbon monoxide detector (with a battery backup) on every level of your home, especially near bedrooms. In Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Yukon, it's actually illegal not to have carbon monoxide alarms.
• Test your CO alarms every month to make sure they’re working, and replace batteries as needed.
• Make sure your home has both carbon monoxide and smoke alarms—you can get combination alarms, but if yours are separate, take a moment to learn what each alarm sounds like.
• Swap out old CO alarms every five to seven years or according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Have a licensed professional check your heating system and fuel-burning appliances every year to make sure they’re in top shape.
• Never use an oven or stove to heat your home; it’s not safe and can release dangerous CO fumes.
• Never use generators or charcoal or gas barbeques indoors, and keep them away from windows, doors, or vents, where fumes could drift inside.
• Clean and inspect fireplaces annually, and keep chimneys clear of leaves, nests, and other blockages.
• Before lighting a fire in your fireplace, make sure to open the flue so the smoke and gases can vent properly.
• Regularly check the vents outside your home for your dryer, furnace, stove, and other fuel-burning appliances—make sure they’re clear of snow, leaves, or any other debris so everything vents properly.
• Don’t leave your car running in a garage or carport—CO builds up fast in enclosed spaces.
• When using gas-powered lawn equipment, always work in a well-ventilated area—never inside a closed shed.

Where to install carbon monoxide alarms

If your home has a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage, make sure to install a carbon monoxide alarm near every sleeping area. That means placing one in the hallway or right outside the bedrooms, so it can detect carbon monoxide where you sleep.

For even better protection, consider adding a CO alarm on every level of your home—just follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to get the best coverage.

How does carbon monoxide affect my home insurance policy?

While carbon monoxide itself doesn't affect your home insurance, owning specific items that can increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning can increase your premiums.

For example, having a fireplace or wood-burning stove can raise your home insurance premium since they’re a common source of fires and carbon monoxide poisoning, especially if they aren’t properly installed or maintained. If you’re thinking about buying or renting a home with one, or installing one yourself, it’s a good idea to check with an insurance broker like BrokerLink to see how it might impact your rates.

Learn more with BrokerLink

Carbon monoxide is no joke, and neither are these safety tips from our experts here at BrokerLink. As home insurance experts, we want to ensure that both you and your home stay safe, especially from preventible situations. To learn more about carbon monoxide or to speak to someone about your home insurance, reach out to BrokerLink, today.

You can reach us by phone, by email, or in person at any one of our locations throughout Canada. No matter how you choose to get in touch, a BrokerLink insurance advisor will be happy to assist you. We also encourage you to take advantage of our free online quote tool that can provide you with a competitive quote in minutes.

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