As temperatures begin to drop across Ontario and residents fire up their furnaces and fireplaces, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is reminding everyone to prioritize carbon monoxide (CO) safety this season.
Carbon monoxide – known as the "The Silent Killer" – is an invisible, odourless, and tasteless gas that remains a leading cause of accidental poisoning in Ontario. Approximately 65% of all CO-related injuries and deaths occur in homes, TSSA reports.
This November, TSSA is joining forces with Halton Region Fire Departments in a campaign to drive awareness around carbon monoxide and promote CO-specific safety actions to reduce potential risks.
“During the cold weather months, there’s naturally an increased use of fuel-burning appliances,” Kelly Hart, TSSA’s Director of Fuels Safety says. “Even though these appliances may be safely designed, they can emit deadly levels of CO gas if not properly installed, inspected, and maintained regularly.”
Sources and Prevention Measures
CO is produced when fuels such as natural gas, oil, and propane, are being used in common household appliances. These include furnaces, fireplaces, gas water heaters/ovens/dryers, portable generators, space/patio heaters, barbeques and others.
When appliances are installed and maintained properly, CO is effectively vented outside reducing the risks to residents living in the home.
“By taking two important steps, residents can significantly reduce CO risks and any potential harm,” Hart says.
TSSA urges residents to take these two critical steps to protect themselves:
- Schedule annual inspections of all fuel-burning appliances through a TSSA-registered contractor.
- Install certified CO alarms in the home, test them regularly, change the batteries as needed, and replace them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
“And it’s just as important for folks to note that fuel-burning appliances specifically designed and approved for outdoor use only – such as outdoor heaters - are to remain just there,” Hart says. “Outdoors.”
Myths and Misconceptions About Carbon Monoxide
Despite a push for more awareness around carbon monoxide’s dangers, a few common misconceptions still exist. Take for example:
- Myth: Carbon monoxide is normally harmless but can be dangerous at high levels
- Truth: Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that is dangerous at any level. It's created when fuels like wood, oil and gas burn. Normally, the small amounts caused by our heating equipment are vented to the outside and do not build up inside.
Discover more common myths and misconceptions on cosafety.ca.
A Shared Responsibility for Safety
Susy Ceolin, Communications Program Manager at TSSA, emphasizes to the public that CO safety is a shared responsibility.
"It’s important to recognize that we all have a role in staying safe,” Ceolin says. “Especially when our actions can reduce the likelihood of injury to ourselves, our loved ones or others.”
As part of its ongoing educational efforts, and with the hope that multiple voices will bring greater impact to the message, TSSA has been working closely with the fire departments across Ontario for more than a decade to bring greater awareness around CO safety.
“Through these community efforts, we have successfully engaged residents in hundreds of communities across the province.” Ceolin says, “with the ultimate goal of ensuring people are more aware, understand the risks, and take the necessary actions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. “
TSSA’s most recent CO public education campaign is reaching residents in the Halton Region through multiple channels this fall, and people will likely see a big push through their social media feeds – and most importantly, their home mailboxes.
“We’re focused on getting information directly to you because that’s where the potential risks lie,” Ceolin says. “In homes and other spaces like cottages, campers, and RVs, CO can build up in any enclosed space, so it’s important to be proactive.”
“At the end of the day, remember: ‘You Need Both’,” Ceolin says. “That means an annual inspection of your fuel-burning appliances through the services of a TSSA-registered contractor and having working, certified CO alarms.”
“Be in the know when it comes to CO,” Ceolin says. “Take Action. Think Safe.”
For ongoing information and resources to help protect against CO poisoning, visit cosafety.ca.
For more information on the Technical Standards and Safety Authority, visit www.tssa.org.