Richmond Fire-Rescue was recently called to a home of a mother and her young children that had a buildup of carbon monoxide.
The buildup came after recent alterations to their high-efficiency furnace, and Fire-Rescue said the situation could have been deadly without quick action from first responders.
Richmond Fire-Rescue is reminding people to make sure they have working carbon-monoxide alarms outside all sleeping areas and on each level of their homes if they have fuel-burning appliances or attached garages.
"With continuous education, our society better understands the importance of having working smoke alarms in every sleeping area, but what about carbon monoxide alarms?” said Fire Chief Tim Wilkinson. "Carbon monoxide is dangerous because it is odourless, invisible, and it can kill. Carbon monoxide can make a child seriously ill in small doses which may not even be noticeable in adults."
A licenced gas fitter should perform any alterations or maintenance on natural gas appliances, according to Fire-Rescue, and all home heating devices, regardless of fuel type, should be serviced annually.
Natural gas, propane, oil and wood burning appliances that are not operating correctly produce carbon monoxide, an odourless, tasteless toxic gas.
Smoke detectors and carbon-monoxide detectors should also be checked regularly to ensure they are in working order.
Carbon-monoxide poisoning symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath and confusion.
Anyone concerned about carbon monoxide poisoning should leave their location immediately and call 9-1-1 from a safe outdoor location.
For more information, contact Richmond Fire-Rescue at 604-278-5131.
