New Ontario Carbon Monoxide Detector Law: What Homeowners and Tenants Need to Know

January 13, 2026, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

Ontario has strengthened its carbon monoxide (CO) safety laws to better protect residents from a serious and often hidden danger. Under the updated requirements, homes that use natural gas or other fuel-burning sources to cook, heat the home, or heat water must have carbon monoxide detectors installed on every level of the home. This change reflects growing awareness of the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning and the need for early detection to prevent serious injury or death.

For homeowners, tenants, and landlords across Ontario, understanding this law - and the risks behind it - is essential.

Why Carbon Monoxide Is So Dangerous

Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas produced when fuels such as natural gas, propane, oil, or wood do not burn properly. Because it cannot be seen or smelled, people are often exposed without realizing it.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause a wide range of symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, chest pain, and shortness of breath. At higher levels, or with prolonged exposure, CO poisoning can lead to loss of consciousness, permanent brain injury, organ damage, or death. Children, seniors, and people with heart or respiratory conditions are especially vulnerable.

In many cases, victims mistake early symptoms for the flu or fatigue and go back to sleep — which can be fatal. This is why working carbon monoxide detectors are so important.

What the New Ontario Law Requires

Ontario law now requires carbon monoxide detectors to be installed on every storey of a home that contains, or is connected to, a fuel-burning appliance. This includes homes with:

• Natural gas or propane furnaces
• Gas stoves or ovens
• Gas water heaters
• Fireplaces or wood-burning stoves
• Attached garages connected to the home

The law applies to single-family homes, townhouses, apartments, and rental properties. Property owners and landlords are legally responsible for installing and maintaining CO detectors. Tenants are responsible for notifying the landlord if a detector is missing or not working.

Failure to comply can result in fines, but more importantly, it puts lives at risk.

What to Do If a Carbon Monoxide Alarm Goes Off

If a carbon monoxide detector sounds, it should always be taken seriously.

• Leave the home immediately and get fresh air. Do not try to ventilate the space first.
• Call 911 or your local fire department once you are safely outside.
• Seek medical attention if anyone is experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, or confusion.
• Do not re-enter the home until emergency responders confirm it is safe to do so.

Ignoring or disabling a CO alarm can have tragic consequences. Even if no one feels sick, elevated carbon monoxide levels can still be dangerous.

The Importance of Appliance Maintenance

Carbon monoxide leaks are often caused by poorly maintained or malfunctioning fuel-burning appliances. Regular maintenance is a key part of prevention.

Homeowners and landlords should ensure that furnaces, boilers, water heaters, fireplaces, and gas stoves are inspected and serviced regularly by qualified professionals. Chimneys and vents should be kept clear and in good condition to allow exhaust gases to escape safely.

Using appliances properly also matters. Barbecues, propane heaters, and generators should never be used indoors or in enclosed spaces such as garages, even with doors or windows open.

Legal Responsibility and Negligence

When a property owner or landlord fails to install required carbon monoxide detectors or neglects to maintain gas-burning appliances, the consequences can be severe. If someone is injured or killed due to carbon monoxide exposure caused by negligence, the responsible party may be held legally accountable.

Carbon monoxide poisoning cases often involve complex questions about building safety, maintenance records, and compliance with Ontario law. Victims and families may face long-term medical care, lost income, or the devastating loss of a loved one.

Why Legal Advice Matters

If you or a family member has been injured, or if a death has occurred due to carbon monoxide exposure linked to a property owner’s negligence, it is critical to seek experienced legal advice. An expert personal injury lawyer can help determine whether safety laws were violated, identify responsible parties, and pursue compensation for medical expenses, future care needs, lost income, and pain and suffering.

At Deutschmann de Koning Law, our personal injury lawyers understand how preventable tragedies like carbon monoxide poisoning occur and how profoundly they affect families. We work with medical experts, safety professionals, and investigators to build strong cases that reflect the full impact of the harm caused.

Protecting Lives Starts With Awareness

The updated Ontario carbon monoxide detector law is an important step toward preventing serious injuries and saving lives. Proper installation of CO detectors, regular maintenance of natural gas appliances, and swift action when alarms sound are essential responsibilities for homeowners and landlords alike.

When these responsibilities are ignored and people are harmed as a result, legal accountability matters. Understanding your rights is an important part of protecting yourself and your family — both now and in the future.

About Deutschmann de Koning Law

Deutschmann de Koning Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann and Nick de Koning focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.ddinjurylaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.