Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms | City of Kawartha Lakes

What to Do When a CO Alarm Sounds

Get outside immediately. Leave the building and make sure everyone gets out.
Call 911 from outside.
Stay outside until emergency responders say it is safe to return.

Never ignore a CO alarm, even if no one feels sick.

Fire safety requires preparation. Working smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms provide an early warning of danger, giving you and your family time to safely escape in the event of a fire or carbon monoxide related incident. Every second counts – working smoke and CO alarms save lives.

Ontario law requires working smoke alarms in every home. CO alarms are also required in homes with fuel-burning appliances, wood stoves, or an attached garage. Is your family prepared?

Where are alarms required?

Smoke Alarms

Every home in Ontario must have working smoke alarms:

On every storey, including the basement.
Outside all sleeping areas.

New homes must also meet Building Code requirements for smoke alarms inside bedrooms.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas you cannot see, smell or taste. It can cause serious illness or death.

CO can be produced when fuels such as natural gas, propane, oil, gasoline or wood do not burn properly.

CO alarms are required in homes with any of the following:

A fuel-burning appliance, such as a furnace or water heater
A fireplace
An attached garage
Heating supplied by air from a fuel-burning appliance located outside the home

New CO Alarm Requirements: Effective January 1, 2026

Ontario's Fire Code has expanded CO alarm requirements in existing homes.

Where required, working CO alarms must be installed:

Near every sleeping area, such as in the hallway outside bedrooms.
On every storey, including storeys without bedrooms.

Requirements also apply to apartments and condominiums. The rules depend on factors such as fuel-burning equipment, shared walls or ceilings with service rooms or garages, and how the unit is heated.

For details, visit the Ontario Fire Code.

How to Maintain Your Alarms

Smoke and CO alarms need regular maintenance to work properly. Follow these steps to keep them ready when you need them most.

Test monthly: Press the test button on every alarm, every month.
Clean every six months: Gently vacuum the alarm using a soft brush attachment. For hardwired alarms, clean the outside vents only.
Replace batteries as needed: Replace standard batteries at least once a year and whenever you hear a low-battery warning. Sealed, long-life batteries do not need to be replaced during the alarm's lifespan.
Replace expired alarms: Check the manufacture or installation date and follow the manufacturer's replacement instructions. Most smoke and CO alarms need to be replaced every 10 years.
Never disable an alarm: Do not remove batteries or disconnect an alarm. If it sounds because of cooking or another nuisance, use the hush button if available and address the cause.

When should you replace your alarms?

All alarms wear out, including hardwired alarms. Check the date on the back of each alarm and follow the manufacturer's instructions for replacement.

Replacing a hardwired alarm?

If your home was built with hardwired alarms, you must replace them with compatible hardwired alarms. Do not replace them with battery-only alarms. Hardwired alarms with backup batteries are available to provide protection during a power outage.

Homes that were not built with hardwired smoke alarms may use battery-powered or plug-in options, where permitted.

Choose alarms that meet Canadian safety standards. Look for a recognized certification mark, such as CSA, ULC or ETL.

Look for one of these marks on the carbon monoxide alarm, which is proof that the device meets the appropriate Canadian standard:

I have hardwired (electrically-powered) alarms. Can I put up a battery-operated alarm in its place?

No.

If your home has hardwired (electrically-powered) alarms, either the homeowner or a certified, licensed electrician must install the alarms. According to the Ontario Fire Code, you cannot replace hardwired alarms with battery-powered alarms.

If you are the homeowner, you may be able to replace hardwired alarms yourself.

Important Safety Tip: Ensure power to the circuit is turned off at the main panel before attempting to install hardwired alarms.

If you cannot safely replace them yourself, hire a licensed electrician to do the job. Visit the Electrical Safety Authority website for more information and to find a licensed electrical contractor in your area.

Any potential costs to meet Ontario smoke and carbon monoxide alarm laws are the homeowner’s responsibility.

Landlord and Tenant Responsibilities

Landlords must ensure required smoke and CO alarms are installed and maintained in rental properties. They must maintain and test alarms as required by the Fire Code and provide tenants with the manufacturer's maintenance instructions.

Tenants must notify their landlord if an alarm is missing, damaged or not working. Never remove batteries, disconnect or tamper with an alarm.

For more information, read the Office of the Fire Marshal's Technical Guideline on the Maintenance of Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Alarms.

Questions?

Contact Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service
Telephone: 705-324-5731
Email: fireprevention@kawarthalakes.ca