Carbon Monoxide Detector Alerts South West Family of Danger

At approximately 10:50 p.m. the Calgary Fire Department responded to the 50 block of Springwood Drive S.W. for a report of an activated carbon monoxide alarm. Upon arrival crews entered a unit in a residential duplex and with the use of monitoring equipment detected carbon monoxide levels of 70 parts per million inside the home. Fire crews evacuated two adults and two children from the house and transferred their care to EMS while ventilating the home. An activated carbon monoxide detector in the residence alerted the family of danger. Crews also checked the adjacent unit of the duplex and did not detect the presence of any carbon monoxide in that unit. No injuries were reported. The Calgary Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team with the assistance of ATCO Gas is investigating the source of carbon monoxide.

The Calgary Fire Department would like to remind Calgarians about the danger of carbon monoxide, a colorless, odourless, tasteless gas that can cause illness or even death. Carbon monoxide is produced when a fuel such as gasoline, natural gas, propane or wood, burns incompletely. Fuel-burning appliances can produce carbon monoxide if they are not installed, used and maintained properly.

Leave the house immediately.
Call 9-1-1 or the local fire department from a neighbour's house.
Do not go back into the house until the fire department says it is safe to do so.
Seek professional medical help; indicate that you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning.

If you, another person or pet show symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning:

A carbon monoxide detector is not a substitute for prevention but it can be a good second line of defence. If you buy an alarm, choose a model certified by a recognized testing agency such as Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and follow manufacturer's instructions for installation, use and maintenance. Carbon monoxide detectors can be purchased at any hardware or household goods store.

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