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Myths and Misconceptions
The following are the top 10 most common myths and misconceptions about carbon monoxide.
If anyone feels ill, get everyone, including your pets, out of the house regardless if the alarm is sounding or not!
Here are top 10 common myths and misconceptions.
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that is dangerous at any level. It's created when fuels like wood, oil and gas burn. Normally, the small amounts caused by our heating equipment are vented to the outside and do not build up inside.
Carbon monoxide is normally harmless, but can be dangerous at high levels.
Carbon monoxide is odourless, colourless and tasteless, which is why it's called the "silent killer."
Carbon monoxide has a distinctive odour you can smell.
Carbon monoxide builds when the air circulating through our homes and heating systems doesn't get vented properly. Venting problems such as birds building nests in chimneys can happen in homes of any age.
Carbon monoxide problems are caused by old heating systems.
Heating systems (furnaces, fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, and chimneys) should be checked every year by a certified heating technician before the heating season begins.
Fuel-burning equipment like furnaces and fireplaces should be inspected every two to three years to make sure it's safe.
There's always the risk that carbon monoxide will leak into the house, even if the garage door is open.
It's ok to use a gas or charcoal barbecue or run a car in a garage as long as the garage door is open.
Carbon monoxide poisoning has symptoms that are similar to the flu: nausea, headache, burning eyes, confusion, drowsiness, and loss of consciousness. The key difference is that there is no fever with CO poisoning. The symptoms tend to disappear when a person gets fresh air. These are all warning signs.
There are no physical symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.
If anyone feels ill, get everyone, including pets, out of the house regardless if the alarm is sounding or not. Call 911 or your local fire department for help.
You should only call 911 if your carbon monoxide alarm keeps going off after you've opened the windows and doors.
Many victims of carbon monoxide poisoning recover with treatment. However, in very severe cases, CO poisoning can cause permanent brain damage.
Certain levels of carbon monoxide can kill, but survivors can expect a complete recovery.
To protect yourself and your loved ones, ensure that all your fuel-burning appliances and vents are inspected yearly by a TSSA-certified fuel technician and that you have working CO alarms in your home – they are mandated if you have a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace or an attached garage.
CO alarms are the only way to protect yourself against carbon monoxide poisonings.
Not all carbon monoxide alarms sold in Canada are certified to Canadian Safety standards. To make sure you're buying one that is certified, look for the CSA or ULC symbols.
All carbon monoxide alarms sold in Canada are certified to Canadian Safety standards.