It's National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week, and Altona/Rhineland Fire Chief Greg Zimmerman says having a C-O detector in your home is just as important as having a smoke alarm. He also encourages homeowners to install the C-O alarms on each level of their house.

Zimmerman noted it is even more crucial to have the detectors in your home if you have fuel-burning appliances like a furnace or stove, an attached garage, or fireplace.

"Our last carbon monoxide call actually came from a fireplace. The people had gone to bed for the evening, and they had actually been very cognizant in making sure the fire was pretty much out but it was smoldering, and it did emit a little C-O that didn't quite make it up the flew and drifted into the house. Fortunately, they had a detector that went off and they were able to evacuate the house before suffering ill effects."

Because carbon monoxide is odourless and tasteless, Zimmerman explains people can easily succumb to C-O poisoning.

According to the fire chief, new construction homes are also more prone to carbon monoxide build-up because they are more air-tight than older homes.

Altona/Rhineland Emergency Services crews respond to between 6 and 10 C-O related calls each year, added Zimmerman, with most of the incidents happening during the winter months. As the temperature outside continues to drop, he says this is a good time to buy alarms for your home, or if you already have devices, to replace the batteries.

"Basically because people are now closing their windows and getting the house prepared for winter to keep the cold out, but also there's a little bit less air exchange happening in the house."

Zimmerman also points out that carbon monoxide detectors have an expiry date, lasting between 5 and 10 years. That information can be found on the back of the device.

Should your alarm go off, day or night, Zimmerman urges everyone to get out of the house immediately and call 9-1-1. With winter just around the corner, he suggests grabbing your car keys on the way out so you and your family can wait in a warm car parked on the driveway, or to make arrangements with a neighbour to come over and stay out of the cold while you wait for emergency crews to arrive.

On that note, Zimmerman is quickly reminding motorists to adjust their driving habits as snow and freezing temperatures can often reduce driving conditions during the winter.