Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, homeowners and landlords in Plympton-Wyoming, Ontario, must ensure carbon monoxide (CO) alarms are installed on every storey of a residence that contains a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or an attached garage. The change comes under the Ontario Fire Code (O. Reg. 213/07), as amended by Ontario Regulation 87/25, and is intended to reduce the risk from carbon monoxide, an odourless and colourless gas often described as the “silent killer.”
The updated rules require a working CO alarm on each floor of homes with equipment such as gas furnaces, boilers, wood-burning fireplaces, water heaters or clothes dryers — including basements and main floors that do not contain bedrooms. Fire officials say the expansion addresses “blind spots” where leaks from appliances or attached garages can build to dangerous levels before reaching alarms that were previously only required near sleeping areas.
Local fire services and provincial guidance recommend testing CO alarms monthly and replacing the entire unit according to manufacturer instructions (commonly every seven to 10 years). Landlords are responsible for ensuring alarms are installed in rental units; tenants should test alarms regularly and report any malfunctions to their landlord.
To help residents meet the new requirements, the Safe Community Project Zero initiative — supported by the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council and partners including Enbridge Gas — provided 126 combination smoke and CO alarms to the Plympton-Wyoming Fire Department for distribution and education. Residents who need help or advice about alarm placement or availability are asked to contact the Plympton-Wyoming Fire Department (town hall/fire services contact: 519-845-3939) for guidance.
