(File Photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Silent Killer

Best ways to prevent CO leaks as the weather gets colder

Oct 20, 2022 | 12:00 PM

As the weather gets colder the more likely it is people will be starting up their furnaces.

The Prince Albert Fire Department is once again sharing tips to help residents prevent any situations involving the silent killer, better known as carbon monoxide (CO).

The best way to ensure everyone’s safety is to have a CO alarm set up within five metres of every bedroom. This is no longer a recommendation but is required by law, and can result in a $300 fine for those who fail to do so.

Homes that have a natural gas furnace may notice a smell when they first turn it on, however, this is just dust. The smell should go away in roughly 15 minutes.

Alex Paul, P.A.’s deputy fire chief, told paNOW CO is odourless but there actually may still be a faint smell if there is a leak.

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“The exhaust coming off of a furnace does have a bit of an odour to it, not the carbon monoxide but the exhaust itself. So, if you’re smelling some of that inside your home that’s a good indication that you may have something wrong with your furnace.”

Paul noted they receive around two calls every week for potential CO situations. One of the more common calls they respond to is from people starting their vehicles in their garages.

“Even if they open their overhead garage door, you can sometimes with wind get enough CO coming through the walk-in door into their home,” said Paul.

However, the most common is for people not properly venting their furnace room. Vents are set up in these spaces so outside air can come in and help with the combustion process.

“People will block (vents) with a rag or towel because they don’t want the cool air coming into their furnace room, but they’re preventing combustion air from coming in,” added Paul.

Without it, furnaces can produce CO or cause a backdraft, mainly through chimneys, which can help CO spill back into a home.

Before starting up a furnace, Paul said people should make sure all filters and vents are clear, that alarms are in working condition, and allow a professional to come to double-check everything.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow