Smoke Alarms & Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Beat the Silent Killer: Prevent CO in Your Home

What do I need to know?

If your home contains a fuel fired appliance or other source of CO (attached garage) you are required to provide at least one CO alarm adjacent to each sleeping area. The following may help you to decide what to buy:

• Your home has hardwired interconnected smoke alarms - Consider replacing each smoke alarm with combination smoke and CO alarms that have a battery backup.
• Your home already has hardwired interconnected combination smoke and CO alarms - When it it comes time (smoke and CO alarms only last 10 years) you must replace those devices with devices that are compatible and equal to what you have now.
• Your home has battery operated smoke alarms only - There are battery operated combination smoke and CO alarms and some are even interconnected.  Consider upgrading to hardwired interconnected combination smoke and CO alarms with a battery backup.
• Should my CO alarm be installed on the ceiling or near the ground? - CO alarms should be installed as stated in the instructions that come with the device.  Both places can be correct depending on the model type.
• How many CO alarms do I need? - A home requires at least one CO alarm adjacent to each sleeping area where there is any fuel burning appliance or other source of CO like an attached garage.  We strongly recommend a CO alarm on each storey of the home and interconnected so that when one sounds they all sound.
• Newer CO and smoke alarms are available with 10 year internal lithium batteries that never need changing and are a great option when replacing outdated devices.
• CO alarms do not last forever.  Ten years is the maximum.  The date of manufacture is on every CO alarm.  Alarms manufactured in October of 2011 or before must be replaced.

Carbon monoxide (CO) alarms, what's that NOISE??

It's safe to say that most people are more familiar with the sound of their smoke alarm then with the sound of their CO alarm.  Just what kind of noises do CO alarms make?

Loud, four intermittent beeps, like...BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!.....BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

This means there is CO present and you must leave the building, ensure the building is being evacuated and call 9-1-1, NOW!

Loud continuous beep!

This is a feature on some models that plug into an electrical outlet and that have a battery back up.  This noise is to alert you that the device has become unplugged from the wall and on battery power only and backup power may not be available when you need it.  The alarm needs to be plugged in now!

A quick intermittent chirp every 30 seconds to a minute.

This is a feature on every CO alarm.  It means that the devices battery is low or the unit is malfunctioning.  The battery must be replaced NOW!  If replacing the battery does not help its time to get a new CO alarm NOW!

Two quick intermittent chirps every 30 seconds to a minute, like...chirp chirp...chirp chirp.

Many newer models now have an "End of Life" feature.  This sound means that the unit is expiring and it is time to be replaced.  Don't wait, replace it today! 

Remember that anytime your CO alarm makes a noise there is something wrong, you must act right away.  Read the manufacturers instructions before your device activates.

TIP!  Get the device model number from the back of the device and you can look up all the features of that device online.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Safety

Often called the silent killer, carbon monoxide is an invisible, odourless, colourless gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane and oil) burn incompletely. In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn these fuels can be sources of carbon monoxide.

1. Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced when fuels such as propane, natural gas, gasoline, heating oil or wood have insufficient air to burn completely. This can occur in any appliance or device that burns these fuels such as furnaces, fireplaces, hot water heaters or stoves.
2. CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. For the best protection interconnect all CO alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
3. Other common causes of CO are cars left running in attached garages, barbeques operated inside, kerosene heaters that are improperly vented, or chimneys or vents that are dirty or plugged.
4. Prevent CO build-up by having furnaces and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year.
5. Exposure to CO can cause flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea and dizziness, as well as confusion, drowsiness, loss of consciousness and death.

If someone in the household is experiencing symptoms of CO poisoning, get everyone out of the home immediately. Call 9-1-1 from outside the home.

Working Smoke Alarms...It's The LAW!

Working smoke alarms are required by law and provide early warning of fire while giving you the extra seconds you and your family need to escape. The location and type of smoke alarms you choose can greatly reduce nuisance alarms. Here are some tips to follow:

• Choose photo-electric smoke alarms where nuisance alarms happen frequently (For example, near kitchens).
• Smoke alarms are required on each level of your home and outside bedrooms.
• Locate smoke alarms away from bathrooms where steam may be present.
• Make sure smoke alarms are not installed where drafts may be present.
• Do not locate smoke alarms in kitchens.
• Choose smoke alarms that are equipped with a nuisance button feature.
• Where smoke alarms are permanently wired choose replacements with an internal battery for power outages.
• Newer smoke and CO alarms are available with 10 year internal lithium batteries that never need changing and are a great option when replacing outdated devices.

For more information contact the City of Orillia Fire Department Fire Prevention Division at (705) 325-5215. 

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