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Calls for Enhanced Tenant Safety in Halifax After Carbon Monoxide Incidents
In Halifax, recent incidents of carbon monoxide leaks in apartment buildings have heightened concerns regarding tenant safety. Firefighters had to respond to two separate leaks within a few days, which were only identified after tenants exhibited symptoms of poisoning.
The first incident occurred on Sunday morning at an 18-unit apartment building located on Albro Lake Road in Dartmouth. A resident, who chose to remain anonymous, reported that tenants were startled awake by firefighters knocking on their doors.
Upon arrival, firefighters detected alarmingly high carbon monoxide levels—400 parts per million—16 times the threshold deemed safe for humans. Investigations revealed that the heating system in the building was the source of the leak.
District Fire Chief Robert Hebb noted that “as many as four more patients were affected quite seriously” due to the carbon monoxide exposure.
The property management team did not provide a comment to Global News regarding the incident. Hebb also emphasized a subsequent case on Monday, where another resident was hospitalized with confirmed carbon monoxide poisoning.
Understanding Carbon Monoxide Risks
Carbon monoxide poisoning can manifest through various symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and, in severe cases, loss of consciousness. Prolonged exposure to this gas can result in lasting brain damage or potentially be fatal.
Sources of carbon monoxide in residential settings may include appliances such as stoves, fireplaces, natural gas or oil furnaces, propane devices, and even idling vehicles parked in attached garages. Chief Hebb mentioned one of the largest challenges is the general lack of awareness regarding how carbon monoxide can accumulate and recognizing its symptoms.
Hebb stressed the critical importance of having functioning carbon monoxide detectors installed in homes. Halifax Fire recommends placing alarms on every level of a home, including basements, with special consideration for locations near sleeping areas, attached garages, and furnace rooms. If only one alarm is available, it should be strategically situated close to sleeping quarters to ensure the loudness is sufficient to wake occupants.
“Carbon monoxide detectors are relatively inexpensive and essential,” Hebb explained, noting the gas’s colorless, odorless, and tasteless characteristics, which make early detection vital for safety.
Despite existing bylaws requiring landlords to install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors, they are not explicitly mandated within the Nova Scotia building code. This gap has led to frustration among tenant advocates like Jonethan Brigley, who points to a broader systemic issue.
Brigley remarked, “We rely on landlords to comply with these regulations, yet lack effective enforcement.” He noted that inspectors can recommend repairs for code violations but cannot compel landlords to take action afterward. Brigley advocates for the creation of a provincial enforcement unit to ensure regulatory compliance, which would not only create jobs but also level the playing field for tenants and landlords.
These incidents underscore the urgent need for improved safety measures and better enforcement of existing laws to protect tenants from the hidden dangers of carbon monoxide. The community and authorities must work together to ensure that such hazards are effectively managed and prevented in the future.
Source
globalnews.ca