Carbon monoxide alarms now required by law

As of April 15, if you have any fuel-burning appliances, a fireplace or an attached garage, you must have a carbon monoxide alarm in your home.

Homeowners and owners of residential buildings that have less than six suites must comply by Thursday April 15.

Owners of residential buildings with more than six suites will have until October.

Failure to comply could result in a fine up to $50,000 for people and $100,000 for corporations.

• Hamilton firefighters handle rush of carbon monoxide calls

Bill 77, the Hawkins Gignac Act, was passed by the Ontario government in December 2013. It was named after OPP Constable Laurie Hawkins who died from carbon monoxide poisoning in her Woodstock, ON home in 2008, along with her husband and two children.

According to Mostacci, being able to "properly assess the symptoms of carbon monoxide" is an important factor in determining whether it's in your home.

Here's what to watch for: headaches, nausea, dizziness, confusion and flu-like symptoms.

"It's about preventing and knowing what causes CO in your home," said Claudio Mostacci, Public Information Officer from the Hamilton Fire Department.

"It's an incomplete combustion, anything that has a flame, it produces carbon monoxide."

"In Ontario, more than 80% of injuries and deaths from CO occur in the home," said Hamilton Fire Department Chief, Rob Simonds. "We want to make sure everyone is safe from CO. Install CO alarms, and do everything you can to prevent CO in your home in the first place.

"It really is a silent killer," said Mostacci. "You can't taste it, touch it, or smell it."