The Hidden Danger in Calgary Homes: 

Understanding Carbon Monoxide and How to Protect Your Family

Carbon monoxide often called the silent killer is one of the most dangerous indoor air threats for Calgary homes. You cannot see it. You cannot smell it. You cannot taste it. Yet even small amounts can build up indoors and cause serious and sometimes fatal health effects within minutes to hours.

Because Calgary winters keep our windows closed and our heating systems running for months at a time, the risk of carbon monoxide buildup increases significantly. Understanding how carbon monoxide works, where it comes from, and how to prevent it is essential to keeping your family safe.

What Is Carbon Monoxide and Why Is It So Dangerous?

Carbon monoxide is a gas produced when fuel does not burn completely. This can happen in furnaces, fireplaces, water heaters, stoves, wood-burning appliances, space heaters, vehicles, and generators.

When inhaled, carbon monoxide replaces oxygen in your bloodstream. This prevents your organs from getting the oxygen they need to function. The brain and heart are the first to feel the impact because they rely heavily on oxygen to operate.

Even low exposure can trigger symptoms that look like common seasonal illnesses such as the flu or a cold. This is why carbon monoxide poisoning is often missed until severe symptoms occur.

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Exposure

Early symptoms may include:

At higher exposure levels or with prolonged exposure, the effects can escalate quickly:

Children, seniors, people with asthma, and pregnant women are at higher risk. Carbon monoxide poisoning affects them faster because their bodies require more oxygen to function properly.

How Fast Can Carbon Monoxide Become Dangerous Indoors?

Carbon monoxide can reach harmful levels surprisingly quickly depending on the concentration in the air.

- At 400 ppm: Headache and nausea in 1 to 2 hours. 
Life-threatening after 3 hours.
- At 800 ppm: Headache and dizziness in 45 minutes.
Unconsciousness within 2 hours. Possible death within 3 hours.
- At 1,600 ppm: Severe symptoms in 20 minutes.
Death possible in less than 2 hours.
- At 6,400 ppm or higher: Symptoms within minutes.
Death can occur in under 20 minutes.

This is why immediate evacuation and ventilation are critical when a carbon monoxide alarm sounds. You cannot wait to see if symptoms develop.

Common Sources of Carbon Monoxide in Calgary Homes

Carbon monoxide issues typically come from fuel-burning appliances and heating systems. Common sources include:

Scheduling an annual furnace safety inspection is one of the most effective ways to prevent carbon monoxide buildup, especially during Calgary’s long heating season.

Preventing Carbon Monoxide Buildup in Your Home

You can greatly reduce the risk of carbon monoxide exposure with a few key safety practices:

1) Install and Test Your Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Every residence needs to have functioning detectors on each level and near all sleeping areas. If alarms are either absent or no longer current, we can assist with the installation of carbon monoxide alarms.

2) Maintain Your Heating and Ventilation Systems

It’s essential to have your furnace and water heater inspected once a year to ensure safe combustion and sufficient airflow. If you detect the odor of furnace exhaust, feel drafts, or hear unusual sounds, you should schedule emergency heating repairs immediately.

3) Improve Indoor Air Quality

These improvements help your home breathe, so you can breathe better too.

Your Home Should Be a Safe Place to Breathe.

If your home has older heating equipment, if you have not had an HVAC tune-up in over a year, or if you have experienced symptoms that come and go depending on where you are in the house, it is worth getting your air quality checked.

Breathing should never be stressful.