Is Your Home Carbon-Monoxide Safe?

Here are some carbon monoxide safety tips from Technical Safety BC

Is your home carbon-monoxide safe? Most homes have smoke detectors, but do you have a detector for carbon monoxide? If the answer isn’t yes, now is the time to make your home carbon-monoxide safe.

Last spring, carbon monoxide exposure took the lives of a family in Ashcroft, BC. The cause was an incorrectly installed on-demand tankless water heater in the living area of the home that was venting carbon monoxide indoors. The installation of the water heater was unpermitted, unlicensed and unsafe.

“Safety is our objective, and one of our main activities to prevent unsafe conditions is to actively promote and create more awareness of carbon monoxide safety,” says Janice Lee, Director of Safety Oversight at Technical Safety BC.

“Many homeowners are not aware that a home could have many carbon monoxide risks from gas-powered appliances. This includes household equipment like furnaces, hot water tanks, gas stoves and fireplaces that can cause carbon monoxide poisoning if not properly maintained or installed.”

Each year in BC numerous carbon monoxide incidents are reported to the authorities. Technical Safety BC investigates approximately ten CO incidents that take place in areas within their jurisdiction each year. According to their findings, most incidents occur in residences and involve residential furnaces, boilers or water heaters.

“There is a temptation for homeowners to save on costs by either installing home equipment and appliances themselves or using someone who is not licensed. But they need to realize that the risks really do outweigh the cost,” emphasizes Lee.

“Homeowners need to be aware of carbon monoxide risks around the home and should use licensed contractors with the appropriate permits when maintaining or installing equipment,” says Lee.

“We have a social responsibility to communicate and educate the public to help reduce safety risks when it comes to technical systems and equipment.

We really want to make a difference by turning our incident investigations into positive change and have an open dialogue about safety,” Lee states.

Technical Safety BC, formerly BC Safety Authority, is an independent, self-funded organization mandated to oversee the safe installation and operation of technical systems and equipment. In addition to issuing permits, licences and certificates, it works with industry to reduce safety risks through assessment, education and outreach, enforcement and research. www.technicalsafetybc.ca