The Carbon Monoxide Safety Association recommends annual inspection of all natural gas appliances by a qualified technician or when you add a new appliance or after a chimney fire.
Between annual chimney inspections, keep the chimney, flue and external openings of all exhaust vents clear of insulation, leaves, birds' nests or debris.
You should also:
- Maintain good air supply and ventilation for your fuel–burning equipment.
- Never run a lawnmower, snow blower or vehicle engine inside.
- Never use a charcoal or gas barbecue inside your home.
- Make sure that your gas water heater's combustion air openings (at the bottom of the tank) and the opening below the draft diverter (on top of the tank next to the flue duct) remain unblocked.
- Keep the furnace fan compartment door closed and the panels in place when operating. Also keep the chimney cleanout access door closed.
- If you've partitioned off your furnace and water heater, you may need additional ventilation, such as openings on the furnace room door.
- If you have a natural gas clothes dryer, be sure the exhaust duct is vented to the outside and has a hood. Clean out any lint or debris and check that the flapper moves freely.
- When your fireplace, coal or wood stove is operating, open a window and close warm air registers. You can also install a fresh air duct directly to the fireplace so that it won't steal air from your furnace.
- Run exhaust fans briefly as prolonged use can remove air and waste heat
Carbon monoxide alarms are sold in hardware, department and other retail stores. No matter what make or model you choose, always follow the manufacturer's instructions for installing, maintaining and testing the device.
Carbon monoxide alarms must be installed, maintained and replaced as per the manufacturer's instruction. A smoke detector won't detect carbon monoxide.
Always follow the manufactures instructions on the placement of the alarm.
- CGA blue flame symbol
- Approved to CSA 6.19 or UL 2034 standard
- Reset button
Open windows and doors to ventilate your home. Verify if anyone in your household has symptoms of exposure to carbon monoxide. If yes,
- leave your house immediately
- seek medical help
- call 911 and/or Enbridge Gas New Brunswick
Reset the CO alarm as per the manufacturer's instructions.
- Check the batteries. Some alarms sound when batteries are weak..
- Air out unit.
- Check if there is humidity from bathroom or kitchen, chemical fumes or exhaust from a gasoline–powered engine.
- Check if there are fumes from a wood–burning stove or fireplace, make sure the damper is open and a window is open.
- If you cannot determine the cause and the alarm continues to sound, leave windows and doors open and call Enbridge Gas New Brunswick.