The risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is always higher in the colder months.

The colourless, odourless gas is often released by appliances that aren't burning their fuel completely, including furnaces, stoves, and fireplaces.

Symptoms include nausea, headaches, and loss of muscle control, and overexposure to the gas can be fatal.

Okotoks Firefighter Bob Button says most of the time, a low battery or faulty detector will trigger a CO alarm.

"Residentially, usually the CO detectors are working and we always do a reading before we get too far into the house, and it gives us a good indication if we need to mask up or not. Typically the CO detector calls we get are of zero readings, but every once in a while we have, whether it's a fireplace, gas appliance, or furnace not functioning properly is usually when we get our active readings."

"Make sure all your gas appliances get checked annually. Secondly, when you're turning your gas appliances on, whether it's a stove or a fireplace, that when you turn it on, it's actually working right away. Some of the older appliances don't have fail-safe, and will continue to spew out gas."

Ventilation plays a major role in CO safety, something Button says can be hindered in the colder months.

"Make sure that if you're going to do a walk-around of your house, make sure all your vents are clear of any frost or snow. If your mechanical room, being your furnace or your boilers, are not venting properly, that will cause a CO buildup inside your dwelling."

Because the gas can't be seen or smelled, detection is vital.

Button says the the Okotoks Fire Department recommends CO detectors that plug directly into power outlets with digital reading displays.

He says placement is a factor to keep in mind.

"Try to stay away from placing them in your mechanical rooms, because there is a small amount of CO that is constant in mechanical rooms that is almost undetectable, but will wear out the sensors over a period of time. We do recommend that you don't put one in the mechanical room but having one on every level of the house is always a great idea."

The Okotoks Fire Department offers free home safety inspections for those interested, and can be reached at (403) 938-4066.

 

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