The Invisible Danger in Ottawa Homes
Ottawa residents know how to brace for the cold — but one of the most serious winter hazards has no smell, no colour, and no warning sound. Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced whenever fuel-burning appliances like furnaces, fireplaces, gas stoves, or attached garage vehicles run, and in poorly ventilated spaces, it can reach deadly concentrations before anyone realizes something is wrong.
Every year, CO poisoning sends thousands of Canadians to emergency rooms. In Ottawa, where brutal winters mean furnaces run almost non-stop from October through April, the risk is especially real.
Why Renters and Landlords Both Need to Pay Attention
Ontario law requires working CO detectors in all residential units that contain a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage — and that includes rentals. For landlords operating in Ottawa's competitive rental market, compliance isn't just a legal obligation: it's a genuine selling point.
Peace of mind is one of your best marketing tools in the rental space. Tenants are increasingly savvy about what they're signing up for, and a well-maintained unit with functioning CO and smoke detectors signals a responsible landlord.
Tenants should confirm detectors are installed and working before moving in — and test them monthly. If a landlord fails to provide one, Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act gives tenants recourse through the Landlord and Tenant Board.
Common Sources of Carbon Monoxide at Home
Some of the most frequent culprits in Ottawa homes include:
- Aging or poorly maintained furnaces — Ottawa's housing stock includes many older homes with furnaces that haven't been serviced in years
- Attached garages — idling a car even briefly can push CO into living areas
- Gas fireplaces and stoves — especially if venting is blocked or damaged
- Portable generators — never run one indoors or in a garage, even with the door open
- Blocked exhaust vents — Ottawa snowfalls can pile up against dryer vents and furnace exhaust pipes, causing dangerous backflow
What to Do If Your Alarm Goes Off
If your CO detector sounds, don't assume it's a false alarm:
- Get everyone — including pets — out of the home immediately
- Leave the door open as you exit
- Call 911 from outside or a neighbour's home
- Do not re-enter until emergency services clear the building
Symptoms of CO poisoning — headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion — are easy to mistake for the flu. If multiple people in your home feel ill at the same time, treat it as a CO emergency.
Prevention Tips for Ottawa Households
- Have your furnace inspected by a licensed HVAC technician every fall before heating season begins
- Install CO detectors on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas
- Replace detectors every 5–7 years (check the manufacture date on the back)
- Clear snow away from exhaust vents after every major Ottawa snowfall
- Never use a gas oven or barbecue to heat your home
With Ottawa winters showing no sign of getting shorter, taking carbon monoxide seriously is one of the simplest, most effective things you can do to keep your household safe.
Source: Ottawa Citizen — Home safety: Carbon monoxide an invisible threat
