(Barrie, ON) – Carbon Monoxide (CO) Awareness Week is November 1 to 7, 2025, and Barrie Fire and Emergency Service is taking the opportunity to inform residents about upcoming new carbon monoxide alarm requirements.
Starting January 1, 2026, changes to the Ontario Fire Code will require additional carbon monoxide alarms in homes with fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces, or attached garages. These updates are being made across the province to improve household safety and prevent incidents caused by carbon monoxide exposure.
The new regulations require:
- A carbon monoxide alarm adjacent to every sleeping area in your home; and
- A carbon monoxide alarm on every storey that does not contain a sleeping area (for example, a main floor or basement).
These requirements apply to all residential occupancies, including existing homes. Even if your home already has a CO alarm, you may need to add more to comply with the updated Fire Code.
“Carbon monoxide is a silent killer – a poisonous gas that you cannot see, smell or taste,” says Barrie Fire Chief Kevin White. “The only way to detect carbon monoxide is with a working CO alarm. These updated regulations are aimed at keeping residents safe and saving lives. Start preparing now to ensure you are compliant before the 2026 deadline.”
What You Can Do Now:
- Check your alarms. Make sure you currently have CO alarms installed in the required areas.
- Plan ahead. Purchase and install any additional alarms before the January 1, 2026 deadline or notify the property owner to do so.
- Maintain your alarms. Test alarms regularly and replace them when they expire (approximately every 5–10 years).
- Inspect appliances annually. Have all fuel-burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician and ensure vents and exhausts are clear of snow, debris, or obstructions.
- Combination Smoke/CO Alarms on each level of your home may be used to meet this requirement.
A CO alarm will alert you when dangerous levels of CO are inside your home. A working alarm will ring loudly, giving you and your family the early warning you need to get out. CO alarms can warn you about sudden failures of fuel-burning appliances and are a good first line of defence against CO exposure. If you or anyone else in your home has symptoms of CO poisoning, or your CO alarm sounds, make sure that everyone leaves the home immediately and call 9-1-1.
For more information on carbon monoxide alarms, visit barrie.ca/FireSafetyEquipment.