No Smoke but Alarm Sounding

The fire alarm comes on in the morning when the furnace turns on. There is no smoke, no fire, no smell of anything burning. Nothing being cooked. Any idea why this might be happening?

Have you ruled out your CO alarm being the source (perhaps you have an integrated CO/Smoke detector)? Here’s information on why it’s critically important to maintain Carbon Monoxide safety.

We always recommend you take all necessary safety precautions when an alarm sounds, including calling your local fire department.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is odourless, colourless and very poisonous. The symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu but without a fever. CO poisoning stops your blood from absorbing oxygen and exposure to high levels can cause brain damage or even death. CO can be caused by poorly maintained or malfunctioning fuel-burning appliances, damaged or blocked venting, a blocked chimney or a car running in an attached garage.

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for installing, maintaining and testing the alarm and follow these guidelines:

• When you change your clocks in the spring and fall, test your alarm and change the batteries.
• CO alarms have a limited life. If your alarm is battery-operated, know the lifespan of its batteries and sensors. A CO alarm sounding intermittently may be a sign of a low battery or an aging sensor.

If Your Carbon Monoxide Alarm Sounds

If your CO alarm sounds, or anyone in the house has symptoms of CO poisoning (similar to the flu without the fever), get outside immediately and call 911.