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Carbon Monoxide Safety

Natural gas vs. carbon monoxide

Is natural gas carbon monoxide (CO)? No. Natural gas is a reliable and safe source of fuel for homes across Ontario and the world. CO is a poisonous gas that can be released from fuel-burning equipment that isn’t working properly. This equipment can include your furnace, water heater or fireplace (or a blocked vent or chimney).

CO is often called the ‘silent killer’ because you can’t see or smell it. Follow these tips to learn how to keep your home safe—then watch our interactive video to test your CO safety smarts.

3 simple steps to stay safe

1. Inspection and maintenance

Remember to have all fuel-burning appliances inspected by a TSSA-registered contractor each year. Never use outdoor fuel-burning equipment such as generators, patio heaters or barbecues inside your home or garage.

2. Install a carbon monoxide detector—it’s the law!

Install a CO alarm near all sleeping areas. Want extra protection? Install one on each level of your home. Remember to test them monthly, change the batteries twice a year and check the expiration date.

3. Clear outdoor vents

Clearing outdoor vents from all natural gas appliances prevents blockages that can produce CO. This includes having a chimney checkup each year.

CO poisoning symptoms

Depending on the amount of CO inhaled and the length of exposure, symptoms may include the following:

Low concentration

  • Slight headache
  • Shortage of breath during moderate physical activity

Higher concentration

  • Severe headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Mental confusion
  • Weakness
  • Vision/hearing impairment
  • Collapse or fainting
  • Loss of muscle control, drowsiness
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Extreme concentration

  • Unconsciousness
  • Brain damage
  • Death

What to do if you suspect a CO leak

If your carbon monoxide detector’s alarm goes off and someone is experiencing medical symptoms:

  • Go outside immediately and get fresh air.
  • Call 911 from a safe distance and seek medical attention.
  • Call a heating contractor for an inspection. There will be a charge for this service.

If your CO alarm sounds and there are no medical symptoms:

  • Open all doors and windows.
  • Call a heating contractor for an inspection. There will be a charge for this service.

“Do carbon monoxide detectors detect natural gas” and other frequently asked questions

No. A carbon monoxide alarm will detect unsafe amounts of CO in your home. It does not detect a natural gas leak.

CO is a colourless, odourless, poisonous gas that can be deadly.

Any fuel-burning appliance that isn’t working or installed properly can release CO: furnaces, stoves, grills, fireplaces or vehicles. CO can build up indoors and poison people and pets who breathe it. CO can also be produced from the exhaust of cars, lawnmowers, snowblowers or anything that burns oil, gas, wood or coal.

The symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu (without the fever): headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and weakness. If you breathe in a high concentration of CO, it can be deadly.

If your CO alarm sounds and there are no medical symptoms, open all doors and windows. Call a heating contractor for an inspection (there will be a charge for this service).

If your CO alarm sounds and someone is experiencing medical symptoms, go outside immediately and get into fresh air. Call 911 from a safe distance and seek medical attention. Call a heating contractor for an inspection (there will be a charge for this service).

  1. Install CO alarms according to the law. Test your CO alarms monthly and change the batteries twice a year. Also, check the expiration date on the CO alarm.
  2. Have all of your fuel-burning appliances inspected annually by a Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) registered contractor.
  3. Never use outdoor fuel-burning equipment such as generators, patio heaters or barbecues inside your home or garage.
  4. Check that the vents from all natural gas appliances are unobstructed.
  5. Clear appliance intake and exhaust vents after every storm.
  6. Conduct regular checkups to ensure that your chimney and other natural gas appliance vents are not blocked.
  7. Never run your vehicle inside an attached garage, even with the garage door open.

No, CO and natural gas are not the same thing. Unlike the odourless CO, natural gas contains and odourant that makes it smell like rotten eggs, even in very small concentrations.

If you smell rotten eggs, there could be a leak in your natural gas piping. Open all doors and windows, don’t use any electrical equipment, extinguish all open flames/heat sources and leave the building. Then call Enbridge Gas immediately at 1-866-763-5427.

No, a CO alarm detects carbon monoxide, a smoke alarm detects smoke. Both are required by law to protect your home and family. Some manufacturers do offer smoke and CO alarms in one device.

Explore more important safety topics

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Smell natural gas?

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Appliance maintenance and safety

Have natural gas appliances inspected annually by a TSSA-registered HVAC contractor.

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