A new regulation came into effect on October 15, making carbon monoxide alarms mandatory in all Ontario residential homes.

Updates to Ontario’s Fire Code are based on recommendations from a Technical Advisory Committee, which was led by the Office of the Fire Marshall and Emergency Management and included experts from fire services, the hotel and rental housing industries, condo owners and alarm manufacturers.

“We want Ontarians to be aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning because these tragedies are preventable,” said Yasir Naqvi, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. “The change to the Fire Code is all about making sure we keep our families and homes safe. I urge all Ontarians to install a carbon monoxide alarm in their homes immediately.”

Carbon monoxide detectors will now be required near all sleeping areas in residential homes and in the service rooms, and adjacent sleeping areas in multi-residential units. Carbon monoxide alarms can be hardwired, battery-operated or plugged into the wall.

Quick Facts

• More than 50 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning in Canada, including 11 on average in Ontario.
• Bill 77, an Act to Proclaim Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week and to amend the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, received royal assent in December 2013.
• The first Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week will take place November 1-8, 2014
• The Ontario Building Code requires the installation of carbon monoxide alarms in homes and other residential buildings built after 2001.