Carbon Monoxide Alarms: A Message from the HSFD Carbon Monoxide Alarms Things You Should Know: As has recently been made law in Ontario, Carbon Monoxide Alarms (CO Alarms) are mandatory in most homes. As with any piece of electronic equipment, a CO Alarm requires some maintenance and care, it doesn’t last forever. The following are some helpful hints about how to make sure your home is always protected: Make sure your CO Alarm is properly installed; either, according to the manufacturer’s instructions, or on, or near the ceiling in the bedroom areas. Older CO Alarms have a “Made On” date and often times do not show an expiry date. Most of the older CO Alarms have a life span of 6 or 7 years. If your CO Alarm is approaching this age, consider replacing it with a new one. Newer CO Alarms will usually show an expiry date. Don’t wait until it stops working to replace it. You may not get that chance. If your CO Alarm is the type that uses disposable batteries, make sure you change the battery twice each year, the same as your Smoke Alarms. Use only fresh new batteries when doing this. NOTE: dying batteries can cause your CO Alarm to fail; you won’t be protected if this happens. Some CO Alarms plug into the wall and use a battery for back-up. This battery also needs to be replaced twice per year. Read the instructions for your CO Alarm carefully. Learn how to use it and what the different tones mean, as some units will “chirp” if the battery is low. Some units will also tell you when they are not working properly. Learn about your CO Alarm so you can benefit the most from its protection. Use the “Test” button on your CO Alarm and test your unit monthly. If your unit does not sound an alarm when you test it, replace it immediately. Vacuum the unit monthly, so that dust doesn’t accumulate and cause the unit to fail. If your CO Alarm is sounding due to a dangerous level of Carbon Monoxide you need to: Immediately Turn Off appliances Open windows to allow fresh air to enter Get EVERYONE OUT of the home immediately Call the Fire Department 10. If you, or people in your home, experience headaches, nausea, a general unwell feeling that is unexplained, and occurs only while inside the home, follow the same 4 steps above immediately and call an ambulance or get everyone who feels sick to medical care. 11. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR ARE UNSURE ABOUT INSTALLING OR USING A CO ALARM, MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE ONE OF OUR FIRE FIGHTERS CALL OR VISIT TO HELP YOU OUT. You can arrange this by contacting the Municipality of Huron Shores Office at (705) 843-2033 or email@huronshores.ca. G.J. (Gib) Medve, Fire Chief Huron Shores Fire Department