Shopping for carbon monoxide alarms with Kitchener Fire Department

Kitchener Fire Department Urges Homeowners to Buy Carbon Monoxide Alarms

The Kitchener Fire Department advises homeowners to purchase a carbon monoxide alarm. A new Ontario law requires one on every floor of a home or existing multi-unit residence.

Changes to the Ontario Fire Code, effective at the start of 2026, mandate a working carbon monoxide alarm on every level of a residence with a gas-burning appliance. This includes furnaces, water heaters, and stoves.

When shopping for an alarm, many may wonder which type to choose. CBC Kitchener-Waterloo accompanied Franz Tschoegl, a public information officer with the Kitchener Fire Department, to explore options.

Tschoegl noted there are three styles available: battery-operated, plug-in, and hardwired. He stated, “You’re really basically open to either doing battery operated, there are plugins or you can just update everything and just do it hardwired.”

If you have a hardwired system, it may include smoke alarms or combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Tschoegl recommends getting a combination alarm if you need to replace your smoke alarms.

Fire departments do not endorse specific brands but emphasize the importance of certification. Tschoegl mentioned that any alarm purchased should have the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) stamp of approval on the package.

“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,” Tschoegl added.

Once installed, it is important to test both the carbon monoxide detector and smoke alarms every month.

Summary of Carbon Monoxide Alarm Requirements