Carbon Monoxide detectors being sold at most hardware stores in Medicine Hat. (Photo Courtesy Ross Lavigne)

By Gates Guarin

Carbon monoxide detectors essential in preventing serious illness, death

Sep 21, 2022 | 5:02 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – We tend to think about carbon monoxide detectors twice a year, when we change the batteries in them as well as our smoke alarms when we change the time on our clocks.

Carbon monoxide has been referred to as “the silent killer,” because it cannot be seen, tasted or smelled, which is why Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Services is stressing the importance of having a detector in your home.

The service responds to alarm calls in the city on a weekly basis, which can be triggered by areas known for combustion, such as fireplaces, hot water tanks and furnaces. Vehicle exhaust in garages can also trigger alarms.

Grayson Smith, safety codes officer with the fire service, says carbon monoxide detectors have slowly been catching up in regards to building and fire codes. He says new builds are required to have a detector installed, but older buildings may not have any form of alarm system built in.

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“A lot of the time it turns into, ‘we learn and then we act,'” Smith says. “Unfortunately it can involve years and years of product research and finding out that hey, you know we should be having these in the codes, it finally comes into play.”

Signs of potential carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, dizziness and nausea. Higher concentrations can also lead to death. Smith says it is important not to ignore any potential signs of carbon monoxide in your home.

“So just because of the inability to detect it ourselves, that’s why it’s really important,” Smith says. “Plus, when you sleep, you want to keep your family safe. We don’t think about those things. We have our work and our families in our lives but if we can have a device in the home that will help us and aid us in preventing carbon monoxide poisoning or worse, we definitely recommend having those in your home.”

Smith says detectors are readily available at most hardware stores and are relatively inexpensive and easy to install. He says detectors should be placed at the lowest level of your home, or outside sleeping areas so you can hear the alarm should it go off.

If you suspect a carbon monoxide leak, call 911 and evacuate the building.