Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week returns for 2025, and St. Catharines Fire Services is not only reminding residents of proper maintenance of carbon monoxide alarms and fuel-burning appliances, but also warning property owners of legislative changes that will impact requirements in residential dwellings.
Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week runs from Nov. 1 to 7. Carbon monoxide (CO) is known as the silent killer because it has no taste or smell and is otherwise undetectable without a carbon monoxide alarm. Exposure to CO causes flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness as well as confusion, drowsiness, loss of consciousness and ultimately death. In Ontario 65 per cent of CO-related deaths occur in the home.
The Ontario Fire Code has significant changes coming into effect on Jan 1, 2026 regarding the number and placement of CO alarms in residential dwellings. Residents are recommended to enact these changes as soon as possible for additional safety:
- Ontario Regulation 87/25 (O. Reg. 87/25) made under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, makes changes to the Ontario Fire Code (O. Reg 213/07) that includes additional carbon monoxide detector requirements.
- Under the updated regulations, all residential occupancies including homes, apartments and other dwellings that contain a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or attached garage must have:
- A carbon monoxide (CO) alarm adjacent to each sleeping area.
- A CO alarm on each storey without a sleeping area (on every floor).
“These new requirements are aimed at enhancing public safety. Carbon monoxide is the silent killer because you can’t see it and you can’t smell it. Working alarms guard your family against the threat, but for them to do the job they need to be installed in the proper locations and be in working order,” said Deputy Fire Chief Andrea DeJong, adding, “Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week is the perfect time to test your alarms, check your batteries, ensure they are properly installed, and that they have not expired.”
Ontario law requires property owners to install carbon monoxide alarms in the sleeping areas of homes that have wood burning fireplaces, attached garages or fuel-burning appliances, such as gas furnaces, gas stoves or gas water heaters, in addition to the new changes required.
The law also applies to residential homes with multiple dwellings, low-rise and high-rise buildings and requires carbon monoxide alarms in various areas of the buildings, including residential units near service rooms with fuel-burning appliances and units adjacent to parking garages.
While alarms provide warning of a potentially deadly CO leak, homeowners can go even further to protect themselves and their families by ensuring fuel-burning appliances, such as furnaces and water heaters, are routinely inspected and maintained.
Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week is a reminder to take action - to have those appliances inspected by a certified contractor. Homeowners and landlords should always have fuel-burning appliances inspected annually, with a plan for regular maintenance.
Be sure to know the sounds of your CO alarm. A CO alarm sounds different than a smoke alarm. Test both alarms monthly and make sure everyone in your home knows the difference between the two alarm sounds.
If a CO alarm sounds and an occupant is suffering from any exposure symptoms, immediately exit the home and call 911. If no symptoms are experienced ensure the alarm does not need new batteries and is not expired before calling 911.