--- title: "Carbon Monoxide Safety for Homeowners: What You Need to Know" description: Learn how to prevent carbon monoxide exposure at home with essential safety tips on CO alarms, gas appliance maintenance, ventilation, and more. image: https://blog.technicalsafetybc.ca/hubfs/iStock-531073427.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://blog.technicalsafetybc.ca/co-safety-for-homeowners-what-you-need-to-know#main-content) [![Technical Safety BC colour logo with gear](https://blog.technicalsafetybc.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/TSBC_Stacked_RGB%20300%20dpi%20-%20transparent%20background-1.png?width=600&height=179&name=TSBC_Stacked_RGB%20300%20dpi%20-%20transparent%20background-1.png "Technical Safety BC colour logo with gear")](https://www.technicalsafetybc.ca/) [Visit main site](https://www.technicalsafetybc.ca/) [Contact us](https://www.technicalsafetybc.ca/contact/contact-us) [Back to blog](https://blog.technicalsafetybc.ca/) # Carbon Monoxide Safety for Homeowners: What You Need to Know October 22, 2026 5 Minute read ![](https://blog.technicalsafetybc.ca/hubfs/iStock-531073427.jpg) More than 80% of carbon monoxide (CO) exposures reported to Technical Safety BC have happened in a home. As a homeowner, it's important to know where carbon monoxide can come from and what steps you can take to protect yourself and your household. From installing CO alarms to maintaining gas appliances, a few simple precautions can help prevent carbon monoxide exposure. #### **What is Carbon Monoxide?** Carbon monoxide is an odourless, tasteless, invisible gas produced when fuels like natural gas, propane, oil, wood, or charcoal burn incompletely. Any fuel-burning appliance can produce carbon monoxide. Dangerous levels of CO can build up indoors if combustion gases aren't properly vented outside. CO poisoning is the most common unintentional poisoning in Canada. CO interferes with the body's ability to absorb oxygen, which can lead to serious illness, severe side effects, or death. #### **How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Exposure at Home** ##### ***Install and Maintain CO Alarms*** Because carbon monoxide can't be seen or smelled, a working CO alarm is essential for detecting dangerous levels in your home. Install a Canadian-certified CO alarm on every level of your home, with at least one alarm near sleeping areas. Test your alarms monthly, replace batteries as needed, and replace the entire unit every 7–10 years or by the expiry date marked on the device. It's also important to know the difference between the sounds of your smoke alarm and CO alarm so you can respond appropriately in an emergency. ##### ***Have Gas Appliances Installed and Serviced by a Licensed Contractor*** Gas furnaces, boilers, water heaters, fireplaces, and stoves can all produce carbon monoxide if they aren't operating properly. Make sure new gas appliances are installed by a licensed gas contractor and have existing appliances serviced annually or as recommended by the manufacturer. Regular servicing can help identify potential problems before they become serious safety hazards. FortisBC offers an [appliance maintenance rebate program](https://www.fortisbc.com/rebates/detail/appliance-maintenance-program) to help eligible customers with the cost of servicing their gas appliances. ##### ***Keep Vents and Chimneys Clear*** Proper air supply and ventilation is important for the safe operation of fuel-burning appliances. Blocked exhaust vents, flues, chimneys, or air intakes can prevent combustion gases from venting safely outside. Check that outdoor exhaust terminations and air intakes are clear of snow, ice, leaves, nests, and other debris, particularly during the winter months. Keep areas around gas appliances clear to allow for proper airflow and avoid using furnace or boiler rooms for storage. ##### ***Never Bring Outdoor Fuel-Burning Appliances Indoors*** Barbecues, camping stoves, generators, and outdoor heaters are designed for outdoor use and should never be operated inside your home, garage, or other enclosed spaces. These appliances can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, even when doors or windows are open. Never leave a vehicle running inside an attached garage, even with the garage door open. ##### ***Be Mindful of Changes to Your Home*** Home renovations or changes to ventilation systems can affect how air moves through your home. If you're renovating or installing new equipment, such as a kitchen exhaust fan or air-conditioning system, have a licensed contractor check that the changes won't affect the safe operation of fuel-burning appliances. #### **What Should You Do if Your CO Alarm Sounds?** If your CO alarm sounds or you suspect carbon monoxide exposure: 1. Leave your home immediately and move to fresh air. 2. Call 911 from outside or another safe location. 3. Do not go back inside until emergency responders say it's safe to do so. Symptoms of CO poisoning can include headaches, dizziness, nausea, weakness, confusion, and shortness of breath. If multiple people in your home experience these symptoms, carbon monoxide exposure may be a concern. #### **Make Carbon Monoxide Safety Part of Your Home Maintenance Routine** Preventing carbon monoxide exposure doesn't have to be complicated. Installing and testing CO alarms, maintaining gas appliances, and using fuel-burning equipment safely can help reduce the risk. 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