When Tracy Knowles and her husband were startled awake by the sound of an alarm going off in their Ottawa house last winter, they initially thought there was a fire. When they checked the alarm, it became clear that it was for carbon monoxide gas that was leaking into the house. Carbon monoxide is known as a silent killer because it’s odourless and colourless and can leak into any home from faulty gas or wood burning equipment and appliances like gas stoves, furnaces or even the car in your garage. If levels of the gas get too high and are not detected, it can kill. After leaving the house with their two children and sheltering in their car in the driveway, they called 9-1-1 and Ottawa Fire Services arrived within minutes. After investigating, firefighters determined their gas furnace was malfunctioning and leaking the deadly gas into their house. “I don’t want to think about what could have happened. We were quite shaken and still kind of grapple with what might have been,” Knowles said. “I can’t say it enough; make sure you are having those annual equipment checks. If you have any concerns, reach out. Just make sure that you are prepared and get those alarms. They are not expensive. They are easily found and have them in all your rooms.” This was a wakeup call for the Knowles. After their furnace was repaired, they purchased multiple carbon monoxide detectors, placing them in strategic places around the house. Now, every floor has at least one. The Ontario Fire Code currently only calls for detectors to be placed outside sleeping areas. However, the Ontario Fire Code will be updated on Jan. 1, 2026, requiring carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of a dwelling if you have an attached garage, a furnace with a combustion chamber, a wood stove or fireplace. If you are ever faced with a carbon monoxide alarm going off in your home, Nick DeFazio of the Ottawa Fire Services says there are two things you need to do. “It’s two easy steps, go to fresh air and call 9-1-1.”
