Public Service Announcement: Calgary Fire Department - Carbon Monoxide Safety in Your Home

The Calgary Fire Department reminds citizens about the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, tasteless and non-irritating gas that can be deadly.

In 2012, the Calgary Fire Department responded to 1,884 calls regarding carbon monoxide. Out of those calls, 19 people required medical attention.

“The Calgary Fire Department would like to encourage Calgarians to take precautionary steps to help prevent a carbon monoxide incident from occurring,” says Carol Henke, Calgary Fire Department Public Information Officer.

CO is formed from the incomplete combustion of common fuels such as propane, gasoline, natural gas, heating oil, coal, wood, charcoal and kerosene as well as from the burning of almost any other combustible material.

Common sources of CO in the home are:

Burning a wood fire without opening a window
Clogged or blocked fireplace or furnace chimney
Corroded or disconnected water heater vent connector pipe
Leaving a vehicle running in a garage, even with the garage door open
Blocked fresh air intakes (leaves, snow or ice, bird nests or other debris)

When inhaled, carbon monoxide prevents the body from absorbing oxygen and in high amounts, it can kill.

The symptoms of CO poisoning include:

Dizziness
Vomiting
Headache
Fatigue
Headache
Burning eyes
Loss of muscle control
Unconsciousness

To prevent CO exposure in your home, ensure all fuel burning appliances are properly installed and maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions. A properly installed and maintained carbon monoxide alarm will alert you to CO build-up in your home.

Important safety tips to consider include:

Have fuel-burning appliances inspected annually by a qualified technician.
Check furnace filter monthly and replace regularly.
Clear snow, ice and debris from vents and chimneys.
Ensure area around your fuel-burning appliances is clutter-free.
Check the flame of all natural gas appliances (it should be blue).
Do not idle vehicles inside attached garages.
Open a window near a wood-burning fireplace.
Ensure that CO alarms are ULC (Underwriters Laboratories of Canada) or CSA (Canadian Standards Association) certified.
Install CO alarms near your sleeping area.
Install and maintain CO alarms according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Visibly mark the expiry date on the CO alarm with a marker.
Replace CO alarm battery annually and vacuum unit monthly.

“If someone in your home is experiencing symptoms of CO poisoning, get everyone out of the house immediately and call 911 from a phone outside your home (a neighbour’s house or a cell phone),” says Public Information Officer Henke.

For more information on Carbon Monoxide, please visit www.calgary.ca/fire or http://www.atcogas.com/Safety

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Onward/Working to reduce the risk of injury, the Calgary Fire Department is committed to delivering prevention-based outreach to Calgarians and encouraging citizen responsibility and safe practices. /2020 Sustainability Direction: By 2020, The City of Calgary’s recordable injury rate is best in class for Canadian Municipalities.