Winter weather can increase risk of carbon monoxide poisoning

Waterloo Fire Rescue is reminding us all to be aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning over the winter months.

Throughout the cold winter season, many of us are flocking indoors and running our heaters and furnaces non-stop.

John Percy is Public Education Officer with Waterloo Fire Rescue and says these types of activities can increase our risk for CO poisoning.

“With it being the middle of the winter, a lot of us are running our fireplaces and furnaces on a standard basis. The challenges with running our appliances and chimneys and furnaces all the time, is there’s the possibility they could produce carbon monoxide poisoning.”

Percy says carbon monoxide poisoning is very dangerous, and they call it the ‘invisible, silent killer’.

“It’s invisible, it’s odourless, and it’s a colourless gas that’s created when your appliances work. You can’t see it, you can’t smell it, you can’t taste it. We want people to keep in mind that in Ontario, it is the law to have a working carbon monoxide alarm adjacent to their sleeping areas if they have fuel-fire appliances like a furnace, a wood fireplace, or an attached garage. Anywhere you have a bedroom, you need to have a working smoke alarm adjacent to it out in the hallway.”

Percy says the symptoms from CO poisoning can also be difficult to detect.

“If you do get carbon monoxide poisoning in your home– you may have flu-like symptoms. That includes headaches, nausea, and drowsiness– very similar to the flu this time of year. That’s why it’s so important to have a working carbon monoxide alarm.”

You can see some tips on how to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning over the winter season below.

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• Install and maintain CO alarms inside your home to provide early warning of CO poisoning.
• Test CO alarms at least once a month, and replace them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Never run your car or other fueled engines/motors indoors, even if the garage doors are open.
• Ensure that all furnaces, fireplaces, and chimneys are cleaned annually.
• Never BBQ inside of your garage.
• During or after a snowstorm, make sure outside vents for the dryer, furnace, stove and fireplace are clear/not blocked by snow.
• If your CO alarm sounds, exit the home and call 911 from outside. Do not re-enter until fire officials assist you.
• As you exit your home, keep all windows and doors closed.