This week November 1st to 7th is Carbon Monoxide Week and Ontario’s Office of the Fire Marshal is reminding residents about the risks of carbon monoxide and the steps to take to avoid exposure in their homes.
Carbon monoxide is an invisible, tasteless and odourless gas that can poison the body quickly in high concentrations or slowly over long periods of time.
Carbon monoxide alarms are required in all homes that have a fuel burning appliance such as furnaces, water heaters, stoves, dryers, barbeques, portable heaters that use such fuel sources as wood, oil, natural gas or propane.
Symptoms of exposure to carbon monoxide may be similar to the flu but without the elevated temperature.
Things such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, breathlessness, collapse, loss of consciousness and death can occur.
Anyone who suspects they have symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning should immediately go outside and call 9-1-1.
