Required by law: carbon monoxide safety

Owner Conner Darville poses with the carbon monoxide detectors at Thorndale Hardware.

By Nancy Abra

Safety, both outside and inside the home, remains a top priority for families.

Carbon monoxide (CO), an invisible, odourless and potentially fatal gas, poses significant risks. Effective Jan. 1, 2026, the Province of Ontario is mandating carbon monoxide detectors to be installed on every storey of a residence and adjacent to all sleeping areas.

The updated requirements apply to all detached and semi-detached houses, townhouses and cottages that have any of the following: a fuel-burning appliance such as a furnace, water heater, or stove that uses natural gas, propane, oil, or wood); a fireplace; an attached garage; as well as air for heating that comes from a fuel-burning appliance not contained within the home (e.g., an appliance in a utility shed). In owner-occupied homes, the homeowner is responsible for complying with the CO alarm requirements in the Fire Code. In the case for rental homes or units, the landlord is responsible for complying with the CO alarm requirements in the Fire Code.

When purchasing a CO alarm, it should meet all Canadian performance standards as noted on the package. Some examples of recognized standards testing agencies and their logos include Canadian Standards Association (CSA), Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC) and Intertek (ETL).

Under the Fire Code, carbon monoxide alarms are permitted to be hardwired (connected directly to an electrical system), battery-operated (portable or permanently mounted), or plug-in devices to a standard electrical outlet. Many devices on the market are combined units that include both a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm in one device. As always, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation and placement of CO alarms.

“The Thames Centre Fire Department would stress that everyone should know the details about which alarms they have in their homes – be it, smoke, carbon monoxide, or a combination of both,” said Thames Centre Fire Chief Nick Dorken. “They can vary in the alerts that they make. Some alerts are actual warnings, where some are only non-emergency notifications.

“It’s important that residents know which sounds are which. For safety, the Thames Centre Fire Department encourages everyone to adhere to the changes in the Fire Code by ensuring that there are working smoke and now CO alarms on every floor of the home.”

Any questions can be directed to Dorken at ndorken@thamescentre.on.ca or by calling 519-268-7334 ext. 720.