Winter can increase reliance on heating appliances and tempt people to improvise during an outage. Preventive maintenance and suitable alarms matter, but no alarm makes an unsuitable indoor appliance safe.
Maintain normal appliances
Arrange installation and servicing through the appropriate qualified and registered professional. Keep flues and ventilation unobstructed as instructed. Save records and emergency reporting information with household documents. Renters should report concerns through the landlord's process while using emergency services for immediate danger. Do not attempt to repair fuel-burning equipment yourself.
- Keep appliance instructions accessible.
- Ask about any warning sign you do not understand.
Check the alarm arrangement
Use suitable carbon monoxide alarms and follow manufacturer and official guidance on positioning, testing and replacement. Consider whether everyone can perceive the alert, including people with hearing loss, and seek advice on appropriate equipment where needed. A smoke alarm and a carbon monoxide alarm have different jobs.
- Check battery and replacement instructions.
- Explain the alarm response to household members.
Reject unsafe outage substitutes
Generators, barbecues, camping stoves and outdoor-only heaters must not be used indoors, in garages or tents. Never run vehicle engines in enclosed spaces. If you suspect carbon monoxide exposure, move to fresh air and seek medical and emergency advice as appropriate; do not re-enter an affected building to investigate or retrieve belongings.
- Do not judge safety by smell.
- Follow the relevant emergency service's instructions.
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