The Kitchener Fire Department encourages homeowners to get a carbon monoxide alarm as soon as possible, following a new Ontario law that mandates one on every floor of a home or existing multi-unit residence.
Starting in 2026, updates were made to the Ontario Fire Code requiring a functional carbon monoxide alarm on every level of any residence with gas-burning appliances, like furnaces, water heaters, or stoves.
However, when you visit a store to buy one, you might notice that retailers offer several brand name options. This can leave many people wondering: Which carbon monoxide alarm should they choose?
This led CBC Kitchener-Waterloo to go shopping with Franz Tschoegl, a public information officer from the Kitchener Fire Department. He mentioned there are three types available.
“You’re really basically open to either doing battery operated, there are plugins or you can just update everything and just do it hardwired,” said Tschoegl while shopping at a Kitchener Home Hardware.
“If you already have a hardwired system, sometimes they’re just smoke alarms; sometimes they’re combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. If you’re looking at updating because you need to replace your smoke alarms and they’re hardwired, the recommendation right off the bat is just get a combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm.”
WATCH | Franz Tschoegl with Kitchener Fire Department highlights the C0 detectors for sale:
How to choose the right carbon monoxide detector
Carbon monoxide detectors are now required on every floor of a home in Ontario. How do you decide which one to buy? CBC K-W’s Joe Pavia went shopping at a Home Hardware store in Kitchener with Franz Tschoegl, public information officer with the Kitchener Fire Department. Tschoegl said consumers need to make sure the product has the proper certification standards.
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How to choose the right carbon monoxide detector
Carbon monoxide detectors are now required on every floor of a home in Ontario. How do you decide which one to buy? CBC K-W’s Joe Pavia went shopping at a Home Hardware store in Kitchener with Franz Tschoegl, public information officer with the Kitchener Fire Department. Tschoegl said consumers need to make sure the product has the proper certification standards.
Look for certification standards
Fire departments aren’t endorsing any specific brand name but want consumers to ensure that their purchase meets certification standards. Tschoegl mentions that any alarm you buy should carry approval from the Canadian Standards Association or CSA, which will have its logo displayed on the packaging. “If you’re not sure, it will say it on the box. You know that this has been tested according to a certain certification and that’s what you want.” Once you’ve installed these units in your home, it’s important to test both your C0 detector and smoke alarms each month. LISTEN | Which carbon monoxide alarm is the right one for your home: The Morning Edition – K-W5:45In search of a carbon monoxide detector Carbon monoxide alarms are now required on every floor of a home in Ontario. How do you decide which one to buy? CBC K-W’s Joe Pavia went to a local retail outlet with a spokesperson for the Kitchener fire department to get a review.Source link
