Carbon monoxide alarm. (Photo 55165362 © Cacrov | Dreamstime.com)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Now Mandatory

Silent killer: the importance of having a working carbon monoxide alarm

Jul 20, 2022 | 3:00 PM

People across the province are being reminded to make sure they have a working carbon monoxide alarm.

The provincial government officially made it mandatory at the beginning of the month that every residential building have a working alarm. The province also made it mandatory for all residential buildings to have a working smoke alarm as well.

Prince Albert’s fire chief Kris Olsen told paNOW this is a long time coming for Saskatchewan.

Many people don’t understand just how dangerous living without one of these alarms can be, he said.

“Carbon monoxide detectors… they’re basically life insurance for a gas that’s odourless and tasteless.”

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In the last two and a half years, there have been a fair amount of confirmed carbon monoxide cases in P.A.

In 2020, there were 14, followed by 22 in 2021, and 9 through the first half of 2022.

None of these cases were fatal, however, Olsen believes if they didn’t have alarms many could have been.

“Without the carbon monoxide detector, they would have waited until the later stages to alert.”

Olsen also noted he’s seen quite a few people suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning over his career.

Meanwhile, people who rent and those who rent out are equally responsible for ensuring these alarms are set up.

“There is an expectation for tenants of rental occupancies to ensure they have a working smoke and carbon monoxide alarm, there’s an expectation for landlords to ensure one is supplied in operable condition.”

Under Prince Albert’s fire services bylaw, which also makes it mandatory for residential homes to have an alarm, people who don’t set up a functioning alarm can be fined $300.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow