What do I do if my carbon monoxide detector goes off?
What do I do if my carbon monoxide detector goes off?
If your carbon monoxide detector goes off, immediately evacuate everyone from your home and call 911. This is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate action.
Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas that can be deadly within minutes at high concentrations. Your CO detector is designed to alert you before levels become fatal, but you must act quickly. Get everyone outside to fresh air immediately - don't stop to investigate the source, grab belongings, or turn off appliances. Once everyone is safely outside and accounted for, call 911 from a safe location.
Do not re-enter your home until emergency responders have cleared it as safe. Ottawa Fire Services will respond with specialized equipment to measure CO levels and identify the source. Common sources include malfunctioning furnaces, blocked vents, faulty gas fireplaces, or improperly vented appliances. Even if the alarm stops sounding, dangerous levels of CO may still be present.
In Ottawa's climate, CO incidents often spike during heating season when furnaces are working harder and vents can become blocked by snow or ice. After emergency responders clear your home, you'll need a licensed HVAC technician to inspect and repair any fuel-burning equipment before it's safe to use again. This is required work that must be done by TSSA-licensed professionals.
Once the immediate danger has passed, have all fuel-burning appliances professionally inspected before using them again. This includes your furnace, gas fireplace, water heater, and any other gas appliances. Ottawa HVAC Pro can provide emergency HVAC service to diagnose and repair CO-producing equipment safely.
Remember: CO detectors save lives, but only if you respond immediately when they sound. Never ignore a CO alarm or assume it's malfunctioning - always treat it as a real emergency.
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