Carbon Monoxide alarm requirements change January 1

Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarm requirements will change on January 1, 2026, and Oshawa Fire Services is reminding residents to review their existing CO alarms and install additional ones if needed.

It is required by law that all landlords and homeowners have CO alarms installed near all sleeping areas in residential homes and in service rooms, and adjacent sleeping areas in multi-residential units.

Beginning January 1, 2026, in addition to the CO alarms required outside all sleeping areas, a CO alarm is required on all storeys of your home. Removing or tampering with smoke and CO devices can result in fines of up to $50,000 for an individual and/or one-year imprisonment.

The Ontario Fire Code requires every house, condo, apartment, hotel, and university or college residence with a fuel‑burning device, as well as any building with an attached garage, must have a working carbon monoxide alarm. Starting January 1, 2026, condo and apartment buildings with a garage and/or fuel‑burning appliances, must have CO alarms installed next to each sleeping area in all units located above, below, or beside the garage or fuel‑burning appliance rooms and on every storey of the building.

Carbon monoxide alarm tips:

• Test smoke and CO alarms monthly by pressing the test button. Change the batteries spring and fall. 
• Ensure that all members of the household know what to do should a smoke or CO alarm sound. Be sure that your family has an escape plan, complete with a meeting place, and practice it regularly.
• Smoke and CO alarms wear out over time. Replace alarms according to the manufacturer’s recommendations or if they are more than 10 years old.

What is CO?

• A highly poisonous gas, CO is often referred to as the “silent killer” because it cannot be seen, touched or smelled.
• CO is produced when fuels such as propane, gasoline, natural gas, heating oil or wood do not burn completely in fuel-burning appliances and devices such as furnaces, gas or wood fireplaces, hot water heaters, stoves, barbeques, portable fuel-burning heaters and generators and vehicles.

Prevent CO in your home

• Ensure fuel-burning appliances, chimneys and vents are cleaned and inspected annually. Visit COSafety.ca to find a registered contractor near you.
• Check that all outside appliance vents are not blocked.
• Gas and charcoal barbeques should only be used outside, away from all doors, windows, vents, and other building openings. Never use barbeques inside garages, even if the garage doors are open.
• Portable fuel-burning generators should only be used outdoors in well-ventilated areas away from windows, doors, vents and other building openings.
• Ensure all portable fuel-burning heaters are vented properly, according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Never use the stove or oven to heat your home.
• Open the flu before using a fireplace for adequate ventilation.
• Never run a vehicle or other fuel engine or motor inside a garage, even if the garage doors are open. Always remove a vehicle from the garage immediately after starting it.

Know the symptoms of CO

• Exposure to CO can cause flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, as well as confusion, drowsiness, loss of consciousness and death.
• If your CO alarm sounds, and you or other occupants suffer from symptoms of CO poisoning, get everyone out of the home immediately. Then call 9-1-1 or your local emergency services number from outside the building.
• If your CO alarm sounds and no one is suffering from symptoms of CO poisoning, check to see if the battery needs replacing, or the alarm has reached its "end-of-life" before calling 9-1-1.

Know the sound of your CO alarm

• Your CO alarm sounds different than your smoke alarm. Test both alarms monthly and make sure everyone in your home knows the difference between the two alarm sounds.
• Don’t be confused by the sound of your CO alarm’s low-battery warning. Follow your CO alarm manufacturer’s instructions so you know the difference between the low-battery warning, the “end-of-life” warning, and the alarm alerting you to the presence of CO in your home.

For more CO safety tips and to read about the changes to the fire code visit the Office of the Fire Marshall and Emergency Management’s website and COsafety.ca.