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CO Safety
Proper CO detectors and an up-to-date, well maintained furnace is one of the best ways to prevent CO from leaking into your home. Give us a call at Ideal Heating and AC if you would like to know more about our maintenance plans or if your furnace needs servicing.
What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is a tasteless, colourless, and odourless gas. This is why it is often referred to as “the silent killer.” It naturally occurs during the incomplete burning of carbon containing fuels. This means that almost all homes in Canada have appliances or products that can create carbon monoxide – learn more here.
Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas – it displaces the oxygen in your lungs when you breathe it in, causing dangerous symptoms and death. It is especially dangerous because you can’t see, taste, or smell it – a carbon monoxide detector is the only way you will know if CO has leaked into your home.
What Are the Symptoms of CO Poisoning?
Carbon monoxide poisoning happens when you have breathed in carbon monoxide. The severity of symptoms will vary depending on the amount of CO you have been exposed to as well as the length of time you have been exposed to it. There is NO safe level of CO exposure.
When you breathe in low levels of carbon monoxide, you may experience symptoms like fatigue or chest pain.
When you breathe in higher levels of carbon monoxide, you may experience a wider range of symptoms, including:
Headaches and dizziness
Weakness
Fatigue
Nausea/vomiting
Confusion/feeling disoriented
If exposure continues or you are exposed to very high levels, you can completely lose consciousness and death can occur. Remember, there is NO safe level of CO exposure. If you experience your carbon monoxide detector beeping and you have any of the above symptoms, no matter how mild, call 9-1-1 and seek medical attention immediately.
How Does CO Get Into Your Home?
As mentioned above, carbon monoxide is produced during the incomplete burning of carbon containing fuels. Almost every house in Canada will have at least one appliance or product in their home that uses carbon containing fuels (e.g. propane, oil, and gas-burning products.)
The following products are commonly found in and around homes in Canada, and can all cause a carbon monoxide leak:
Fireplaces & space heaters
Wood and coal stoves
Gas furnaces & other gas-powered appliances (stoves, ovens, dryers, etc.)
Cars (fumes from your car can enter your home through your garage windows/doors)
Gas-powered outdoor equipment like lawnmowers and snowblowers
Gas-powered power tools
Some products and appliances will only leak CO if a malfunction occurs. For example, your furnace should never leak carbon monoxide into your home! If it does, that means something is broken. However, CO is released by all running gas-powered vehicles. This is why you are told to NEVER run your vehicle inside of your garage. Carbon monoxide can quickly accumulate in your garage and even seep into your home.
Who Needs a CO Detector?
In Ontario, homeowners must have carbon monoxide detectors installed outside of all sleeping areas. It is recommended that you install a CO detector on every floor in your home as well. Your CO alarm must be replaced within the time frame that has been indicated on the label on the unit/in the manufacturer’s instructions.
Want to learn more about how to keep you and your family safer? Check out this video to learn more about Ontario’s CO detector laws.
Ideal Heating & Air Conditioning in central Vaughan has over 35 years of experience, we’re your go-to independent shop for top-notch HVAC services.
From furances to CO detectors, heating and air filtration, we’ve got you covered.
Get a free quote for your heating and cooling hardware today today and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with our 1-year replacement warranty and 24/7 emergency services.
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