Wellington County OPP and local firefighters are reminding residents about the dangers of carbon monoxide gas.
A press release from the OPP noted that carbon monoxide is an odorless, colourless gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, charcoal and methane) burn incompletely. In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel can be sources of carbon monoxide.
Mapleton Fire Rescue Chief Rick Richardson stated, “The Hawkins-Gignac Act passed by the provincial government makes carbon monoxide detectors the law for residences in Ontario.”
Carbon monoxide alarms are now required near all sleeping areas in residential homes and in the service rooms, and adjacent sleeping areas in multi-residential units. Under the new regulations, April 15 is the deadline for residential installation.
Signs of a carbon monoxide leak include: headache, nausea, burning eyes, fainting, confusion and drowsiness and symptoms are often mistaken for common ailments like the flu
Symptoms improve when away from the home for a period of time and are experienced by more than one member of a household. Continued exposure to higher levels may result in unconsciousness, brain damage and death.
The elderly in a home, children, and people with heart or respiratory conditions might be particularly sensitive to carbon monoxide.
To protect against CO poisoning:
– never use a generator inside homes, garages, crawlspaces, sheds, or similar areas, even when using fans or opening doors and windows for ventilation. Deadly levels of carbon monoxide can quickly build up in these areas and can linger for hours, even after the generator has shut off;
– install battery-operated CO alarms or plug-in CO alarms with battery back-up;
– never leave a car engine running within a garage, even if the garage door is open; and
– during and after a snowstorm, ensure dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace vents are clear of snow build-up.
