New provincial safety regulations set to take effect at the start of 2026 will significantly expand requirements for carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in homes across Ontario, including throughout the Windsor-Essex region. The updated Ontario Fire Code aims to prevent deaths from the colourless, odourless gas, which claims an average of 11 lives annually in the province.
What Are the New Carbon Monoxide Alarm Requirements?
Beginning January 1, 2026, updated provincial safety guidelines will mandate a much broader installation of carbon monoxide detectors in existing residences. The new rules require a CO alarm on every storey of a home, including levels without sleeping areas. Additionally, an alarm must be installed adjacent to each sleeping area or bedroom.
"Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas that you don't smell or taste," explained Kingsville Fire Chief Scott Moore in an interview. "So you have to have these alarms in place in order to notify you in a timely manner to get out of the house when CO gas is present."
Which Homes in Windsor-Essex Are Affected?
The expanded regulations apply to the vast majority of existing homes in Windsor-Essex that contain any fuel-burning appliance or feature. Specifically, homeowners must comply if their residence has:
- A fuel-burning appliance, such as a furnace (natural gas, propane, oil, or wood), water heater, or stove.
- A fireplace.
- An attached garage.
The rules also cover situations where heating air is supplied from a fuel-burning appliance located outside the main dwelling, such as in a utility shed. This applies to detached homes, semi-detached homes, townhouses, and cottages.
A Lifesaving Measure Against a Silent Killer
The push for stricter regulations is driven by sobering statistics. Chief Moore emphasized the human cost, stating, "One person dying is too many, so to have 11 people a year die from that, as well as 50 people across Canada, that's probably why the initiative is going that way."
The responsibility for installation and compliance in owner-occupied homes falls squarely on the homeowner, according to Moore. Ensuring alarms are functional and correctly placed is a critical step in household safety.
How to Choose and Install the Right CO Alarm
When selecting a carbon monoxide alarm, residents should ensure the device is certified by a recognized standards testing agency. Look for certification marks from organizations like the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC), or Intertek (ETL).
Alarms may be hard-wired, battery-operated, or plug-in units. Combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are also permitted. It is crucial to follow the manufacturer's installation instructions precisely.
A key rule for replacement: if a home was originally built under Ontario Building Code requirements that mandated hard-wired, interconnected CO alarms, the same level of protection must be maintained. In such a case, simply installing a battery-operated or plug-in alarm would not be permitted.
With the 2026 deadline approaching, Windsor-Essex homeowners are encouraged to review their current safety equipment, understand the new requirements, and take proactive steps to safeguard their households from the invisible threat of carbon monoxide poisoning.
