Carbon Monoxide Safety Extends Beyond Your Home

Carbon Monoxide Safety Extends Beyond Your Home

North Bay Fire & Emergency Services, January 8, 2021 – While packing up to head to the ice shack or camp, consider if a carbon monoxide alarm and batteries should be added to your list. It’s easy to forget that the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning extend beyond your home.  If you have a heating or cooking device at your ice hut or cabin that burns fuel such as wood, propane, natural gas, kerosene, oil or charcoal; it can emit deadly levels of CO if it is not designed for indoor use, malfunctions or is not properly ventilated. 

Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas often referred to as the ‘silent killer’ because you can’t smell it, see it or taste it and if it goes undetected, high level exposure can cause death within minutes.

Tips to Protect Yourself:

1. Use extreme caution bringing fuel burning devices into enclosed spaces. Barbeques, camp stoves and portable fuel generators must only be used outdoors. Ensure that portable fuel-burning heaters are built for indoor use, vented properly and operated according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

 

2. Ventilate, ventilate, ventilate. Ventilation is critically important whenever burning carbon based fuels.  Refer to the instruction manual and ensure that chimney flues and vents are not blocked by snow or debris.

 

3. Know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Early symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea and fatigue. If you experience symptoms under these conditions, quickly move outside to fresh air.  In instances where carbon monoxide is rapidly produced death can occur quickly. 

 

4. Install a carbon monoxide alarm. A CO alarm is the only way you will be alerted of this deadly gas. 

 

5. Test your CO alarm every visit. Cold weather can drain the batteries inside the CO alarm much faster. Don’t assume that it is working, test it each visit and pack a spare set of batteries.  Replace CO alarms every 5-7 years as per instructions.

Carbon Monoxide Safety in Your Home

You are required by law to have a working CO alarm outside each sleeping area if your home is equipped with a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace or attached garage. For added protection, install a carbon monoxide alarm on every storey of the home according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Prevent Carbon Monoxide in your home:

• Ensure fuel-burning appliances, chimneys and vents are cleaned and inspected annually. Visit COSafety.ca to find a licensed gas contractor near you.
• Clear snow and ice away from outside vents.
• Never use the stove or oven to heat your home.
• Open the flu before using a fireplace for adequate ventilation.
• Never run a vehicle or other fueled engine or motor inside a garage, even if the garage doors are open. Always remove a vehicle from the garage immediately after starting it.

Know the sound of your CO alarm and maintain them:

• Your CO alarm sounds different than your smoke alarm. Test both alarms monthly and make sure everyone in your home knows the difference between the two alarm sounds.
• Don’t be confused by the sound of your CO alarm’s low-battery warning. Follow your CO alarm manufacturer’s instructions so you know the difference between the low-battery warning, the “end-of-life” warning, and the alarm alerting you to the presence of CO in your home.
• Replace the batteries at least once a year and check the device for the expiration date.  CO alarms like smoke alarms do not last forever.  Typically CO alarms must be replaced every 7 years.

For more CO safety tips, visit the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management’s website and COsafety.ca.

Recreational and Non-Recreational Burning Permits now online

Recreational and Non-Recreational Burning Permits are now available online

 

Never microwave face masks

The Ontario Fire Marshal advises Ontarians to follow recommendations of medical and health professionals on proper use and cleaning of personal protective equipment and to NEVER use microwave ovens to sterilize a cloth or paper face mask.

Fire Stations closed to the public until further notice.

Due to the Civid 19 situation, all Fire Stations in town have closed to the public in an attempt to protect our essential services.  As always services can be obtained by calling 9-1-1.  New burning permits, tours and non life threatening inspections, and tours have been suspended.  If you need to talk to someone call 705-474-5662.  We appreciate your patience and understanding during this challenging time.

North Bay receives emergency response team funding

Warning - Scam hits North Bay

WARNING

North Bay Fire does not actively solicit citizens to set up appointments to check your smoke and CO alarms.  

 

Wildfire Education in North Bay

Firefighter Jim Daly will be assisting homeowners in North Bay to complete a wildland fire risk assessment (Fire Smart) of their property.  His focus will be on the wildland area and the wildland interface area of the community.   Homeowners completing the assessment will be given $5 off their 2019 open burning permit as an incentive and Thank You for helping to reduce the community fire risk.  To receive the discount property owners must bring in their completed assessment when renewing or obtaining a burning permit for the 2019 season.  For more information and a copy of the Fire Smart Risk Assessment Checklist see link below.

 

https://www.ontario.ca/page/wildfire-protection

 

North Bay Nugget article

 

North Bay firefighters have taken the lead in promoting fire suppressing misting systems

Local fires

Local Fires

Fire Chief urges residents to install smoke alarms and practice home fire escape plans

North Bay, ON – February 17, 2017 – In the wake of a fatal fire in Brampton, Ont. on Tuesday, February 14, the North Bay Fire and Emergency Services wants to remind the public to make sure that they have working smoke alarms on every storey of their home and outside all sleeping areas, and have practiced a home fire escape plan with everyone in their home. 

 

It has not yet been determined if there were working smoke alarms in the fatal fire in Brampton.

 

“Many fatal fires occur at night when everyone is asleep, so early warning is crucial to survival,” says Fire Chief Jason Whiteley. “The Ontario Fire Code requires working smoke alarms on every storey of the home and outside all sleeping areas. For added protection, our fire department is recommending that you also install a smoke alarm in every bedroom. Larger homes may require additional smoke alarms.”

 

Just as important as having working smoke alarms is making sure everyone in your home knows exactly what to do to escape before a fire occurs.

 

“We want to make sure these types of tragedies do not happen in North Bay,” continued Chief Whiteley.

 

Simple smoke and carbon monoxide alarm tips:

• Install smoke alarms on every storey and outside all sleeping areas of your home. For added protection, install a smoke alarm in every bedroom according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Install carbon monoxide alarms outside all sleeping areas if your home has a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace or attached garage. For added protection, install a carbon monoxide alarm on every story of your home according to manufacturer’s recommendations.  
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms monthly by pressing the test button. 
• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms wear out over time. Replace alarms according to manufacturer’s recommendations.

 

Simple steps for home fire escape planning include:

• Everyone should know two ways out of each room, if possible. 
• All exits must be unobstructed and easy to use. 
• If someone in your home has a disability, develop an escape plan with your household that takes into account their unique needs. Determine who will be responsible for helping young children, older adults and anyone who needs assistance to escape.
• Choose a meeting place outside, such as a tree or a lamp post, where everyone can be accounted for. 
• Call the fire department from outside the home, from a cell phone or neighbour’s home.
• Practice your home fire escape plan.
• Once out, stay out. Never re-enter a burning building.

 

For people who live in apartment buildings and need assistance to escape:

• Make sure you tell the superintendent or landlord if you need assistance.
• Make sure your name is added to the persons who require assistance list in the fire safety plan, so the fire department knows which apartment you are in.
• Know the emergency procedures outlined in the building’s fire safety plan.