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By Nicole Reis

Changes to city bylaws make CO detectors mandatory

Nov 15, 2019 | 12:39 PM

Updates to Meadow Lake fire bylaws this week have made carbon monoxide detectors a necessity in all buildings that are heated by natural gas, wood, propane, oil or any other fuels.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless gas that can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, a type of asphyxiation. Household gas appliances that are working incorrectly could produce high levels of CO.

Neil Marsh, Meadow Lake’s fire chief said local firefighters responded to nearly 130 calls last year and the city is on track to meet or beat that record.

Half of those calls are in town and approximately 20 of them were for carbon monoxide presence where the fire chief reported dangerous levels of CO gas in some of those calls.

“Especially this time of year when people are heating their homes, now is a good time to make sure your carbon monoxide alarm is working and is not more than seven years old. Those along with smoke alarms saved more lives than anything I can think of,” Marsh said.

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He added smoke alarms should be on every floor of a home and for newer homes with one in each bedroom. Marsh also mentioned smoke alarms can be interconnected with a carbon monoxide detector so a resident can be alerted of any risk.

Marsh says carbon monoxide gas can be present near water heaters though furnaces produce a higher emission of the gas.

“It’s important all year round but typically in the summer, the only thing running that burns natural gas or propane is the water heater. Those can cause carbon monoxide problems too. Furnaces have a higher likelihood of increasing those carbon monoxide problems. Because people tend not to open the windows in colder weather, there is less fresh air circulating,” he said.

If carbon monoxide is present, SaskPower will ask to inspect the equipment and the fire chief or ambulance will respond if someone is exposed to or experiencing the symptoms of CO poisoning.

According to Health Canada’s website, low levels of CO exposure can present flu like symptoms like tiredness, headaches, shortness of breath, and impaired motor functions such as muscle weakness and partial or total loss of function of a limb or limbs.

High levels or prolonged exposure can present dizziness, chest pain, poor vision, difficulty thinking, coma or even death.

The city does not currently offer rebates for detectors though Marsh suggests that a well-functioning detector can cost around $40.

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

@nicolereis7722