Beginning January 1, 2026, Ontario will phase in new regulations through the Ontario Fire Code. These regulations will require that any home with gas-burning appliances have a working carbon monoxide alarm on each level of the house. This measure greatly improves safety for residents. Specifically, it protects them from the hazards of carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that can render a person unconscious or kill in as little as 5 minutes.
Currently, the code only mandates that a carbon monoxide detector be installed outside each sleeping area. This requirement will be in place through the end of 2025. Almost two-thirds of carbon monoxide poisonings occur during the cold fall and winter months. Those in power are taking on greater initiative to offer better, round-the-clock protection from this looming threat. Homeowners need to do due diligence to make sure their devices are certified for use in Canada and installed appropriately.
Matt Hepditch reminds everyone not to let their guard down with carbon monoxide alarms. He notes that the sound of four short beeps followed by a long pause indicates an emergency situation:
“Four quick beeps means it’s time to get out.” – Matt Hepditch
Risks Associated with Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide poisoning has devastating effects, especially in the winter months when gas-burning appliances are heavily used. This gas can accumulate rapidly in poorly ventilated indoor spaces, resulting in life-threatening conditions for community members. The reality is that the majority of carbon monoxide poisoning victims, some 72%, are unaware victims who die in their sleep.
Hepditch warns homeowners about the potential dangers associated with fuel-burning appliances, stating:
“Those can produce incomplete combustion and that’s when we start to have problems with carbon monoxide.” – Matt Hepditch
As winter approaches, he urges all residents to have a licensed technician check all their fuel-burning appliances annually. This keeps the appliances free from dangerous malfunctions and hazards. Routine maintenance helps avoid dangerous leaks and keeps appliances running smoothly.
Importance of Proper Alarm Installation
The updated regulations underscore the importance of having them installed correctly. Area residents are urged to buy plug-in smoke alarms that include battery backups. Alarms that are especially favored because they’re affordable and work effectively. Plug-in models usually run about $40, but ceiling-mounted units can be significantly more expensive, about $75.
Homeowners are responsible for clearing all exhaust vents outside their homes from ice and snow. Blockages, like animals nesting in vent pipes, can lead to deadly buildups of carbon monoxide inside homes. Hepditch remarks:
“Always make sure that the vents outside your house are clear of ice and snow.” – Matt Hepditch
If a carbon monoxide alarm activates, residents need to call 9-1-1 right away. Fire crews will arrive equipped with gas meters to assess the carbon monoxide levels in the home and check all appliances for leaks.
“Even below the vent it can pile up.” – Matt Hepditch
Responding to Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Hepditch stresses the critical nature of having a functioning alarm in place:
To those ends, the new regulations will meaningfully decrease the likelihood of dangerous carbon monoxide poisoning and motivate more homeowners to take preventative steps. Through these policy shifts, Ontario officials believe they can make the streets safer for everyone who lives there.
“The only way you’re going to know that there’s carbon monoxide in your home is if you’ve installed a carbon monoxide alarm.” – Matt Hepditch
The new regulations aim to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning significantly and encourage proactive measures among homeowners. By implementing these changes, Ontario officials hope to create safer living environments for all residents.
