Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week – November 6th to 10th, 2023
Too many Saskatchewan citizens die, or become seriously ill due to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. While CO poisoning can have devastating effects, it is preventable. It is important to have a licensed contractor inspect all fuel-burning appliances once a year. You should also have carbon monoxide alarms in case the gas is present.
What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is odorless, colourless, tasteless, poisonous and preventable.
CO is produced when common fuels, such as natural gas, propane, kerosene, fuel oil, wood, coal and charcoal, do not burn completely. Excessive amounts of CO will form when there is not proper ventilation or an adequate air supply.
Exposure to CO leads to unconsciousness, convulsions, brain damage and, ultimately, death.
The Uniform Building and Accessibility Standards Regulations (the UBAS Regulations) were amended recently to require carbon monoxide alarms and smoke alarms (or combination carbon monoxide-smoke alarms) be installed in all residential buildings in Saskatchewan, regardless of the date the building was constructed.
Common Carbon Monoxide Sources in Your Home
- Corroded, disconnected, or plugged chimneys on fuel-burning appliances
- Barbecuing indoors
- Lack of service to gas appliances
- An idling vehicle in an attached garage
- Attached garage passageway door to your home is left ajar
- Heated garages or shops with unvented or improperly vented equipment
- Defective furnace heat exchanger
- Depressurization (i.e., a change in your home’s air pressure when inside air is exhausted faster than outside fresh air can come in)