Carbon monoxide alarm. File photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo / leekrobCarbon monoxide alarm. File photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo / leekrob
Sarnia

Weekend incident underscores importance of CO alarms

A working CO alarm alerted occupants of a Russell Street home to elevated carbon monoxide levels Saturday night.

Sarnia Fire and Rescue responded at around 8 p.m.

Public Education Officer Mike Otis said the residents and their pets were able to get out of the home safely.

He said a gas stove was to blame.

"A lot of people don't realize that.  They think it's just their furnace as giving off carbon monoxide but a lot of homes have six or seven different sources of carbon monoxide," said Otis. "Furnaces, hot water heaters, any fuel-burning appliance, fireplace and attached garage are all sources of carbon monoxide."

All homes and apartments in Ontario are required by law to have a CO detector adjacent to all sleeping areas or face a fine of $360 or more.

Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in North America and 500 people a year die from it.

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