Winnipeggers are being reminded to check their carbon monoxide alarms. According to the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service’s Justin Kutzak, the service previously used the biannual clock change as a time to caution Winnipeggers to check their detectors. However, now that Manitoba has moved to permanent daylight time, they have to take a different approach. “Now with that changing, it kind of throws people off,” he said in an interview with Your Morning Winnipeg on Thursday. “We’re just asking people to maybe set yourself a reminder, a timer to check these things in your home.” Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that is colourless, odourless and tasteless. Kutzak said it’s known as the “silent killer” that can come into your home through fuel-fired heating appliances, including gas stoves and furnaces. “Even running your vehicle in your garage with the door still open when we get a really cold snap,” he said. “People think that all those fumes exhaust completely out of your garage, but it doesn’t actually do that. That cold weather kind of creates almost like a curtain, and if your garage is attached to your home, it can still seep into your home.” Signs that you may have been exposed to carbon monoxide include blurred vision, headache dizziness, and confusion. Kutzak added the only way to know there’s a problem is with a carbon monoxide alarm, noting that if the alarm goes off, you need to get out of your home immediately and call 911. - With files from CTV News’ Rachel Lagacé
