It’s Carbon Monoxide (CO) Awareness Week

Learn how to keep you and your family safe from this invisible gas

While most people consider home to be their safe place, there are hidden dangers to be aware of – including fuel-burning appliances that can produce carbon monoxide (CO). 

This week is CO Awareness Week, proclaimed annually by the City of Vaughan, from Nov. 1 to 7. Often referred to as the “silent killer,” CO can cause serious illness and even be deadly. The poisonous gas is produced when fuels, such as propane, gasoline, natural gas, heating oil or wood, do not burn completely in fuel-burning appliances. 

To keep you and your family safe from this invisible, tasteless and odourless gas, Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service is sharing the following tips:

• Change the batteries in your CO and smoke alarms when you change your clocks in the spring and fall. This year, daylight saving time ended on Nov. 1. Change your batteries now if you missed it over the weekend!

• At the same time, you should also change the batteries in your plug-in alarms! These have a battery backup for power outages that need to be checked and replaced.

• Test all CO and smoke alarms each month. 

• Replace your CO alarm when it expires, every five to 10 years. They will have a date clearly marked on them.

• Consult the alarm manufacturer’s instructions to ensure everyone in your household knows the difference between your alarm’s low-battery warning, end-of-life warning and emergency alarm.

• Check and clean all fuel-burning appliances every year.

• During and after a snowstorm, make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove and fireplace are clear of snow.

• Never heat your home with a gas stove or use a gas-powered generator inside.

• Never use a barbecue, charcoal or hibachi grill in the home or an enclosed area.

As of Jan. 1, 2026, residences with a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace or attached garage are required to have CO alarms on every level of the home and outside all sleeping areas under the Ontario Fire Code.

CO alarms are designed to sound long before anyone experiences symptoms. If your CO alarm sounds, leave the household immediately and call 9-1-1. Exposure to CO can cause flu-like symptoms, such as headaches, nausea and dizziness, burning eyes, confusion, drowsiness, loss of consciousness and death. 

For more information, visit vaughan.ca/fire. 

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