QUICK ANSWER

Where should smoke and carbon monoxide alarms be installed in Ontario homes? Ontario requires working smoke alarms on every storey and outside sleeping areas. Where carbon monoxide alarm requirements apply, including homes with fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces or attached garages, CO alarms must be installed adjacent to sleeping areas and, since January 1, 2026, on every storey.

CENTRAL YORK FIRE SERVICES · COMMUNITY NEWS

Why Home Fire Safety Matters Right Now

Some of the most important things protecting a home are also the easiest to overlook.

On September 23, 2026, the Town of Newmarket announced that Kidde had donated nearly CAD $100,000 worth of combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms with voice alerts to Central York Fire Services.

The donation supports the Stay Fire Smart campaign serving Newmarket and Aurora and came ahead of Ontario's annual Test Your Smoke Alarm Day on September 28.

The initiative is a reminder that buying an alarm is only the beginning. Proper placement, regular testing and timely replacement are essential to keeping these devices working when they are needed most.

ONTARIO FIRE CODE · 2026 UPDATE

Where Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms Are Needed

Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms serve different purposes. Smoke alarms warn occupants about smoke from a fire. Carbon monoxide alarms detect CO, a dangerous gas that cannot be seen or smelled.

For Newmarket and Aurora homeowners, understanding the difference is especially important following Ontario's January 2026 changes to carbon monoxide alarm requirements.

For official guidance, review Ontario's home fire safety requirements and Ontario's carbon monoxide safety guidelines.

LARGER HOMES · EVERYDAY PROTECTION

Why Larger Homes Deserve a More Thoughtful Alarm Check

A larger home may include a finished lower level, multiple bedroom wings, a garage entrance, several mechanical areas and living spaces spread over multiple floors.

That additional space can make it easier to overlook an alarm that needs attention. An alarm installed near a basement utility area may be a considerable distance from an upper-floor bedroom.

Rather than counting alarms from memory, walk through your property level by level. Check required locations, manufacture dates, batteries where applicable, and whether every alarm is functioning correctly.

Interconnected alarms, which sound together when one detects a problem, are worth discussing with a qualified professional. They may be particularly helpful where bedrooms are separated from lower-level living or mechanical spaces. Some homes also have specific interconnection requirements under applicable codes.

HOMEOWNER CHECKLIST · FIRE PREVENTION

A Simple Smoke and CO Alarm Routine

A practical routine can help keep fire safety from becoming another forgotten maintenance item. Make time for these checks throughout the year.

Important: If an emergency smoke or CO alarm sounds, move everyone to safety and contact emergency services from outside. Never dismiss an alarm without investigating the danger safely.

LIVING WELL IN NEWMARKET & AURORA

What Fire Safety Has to Do With Caring for a Home

Owning a larger home well is rarely about one big project. More often, it comes down to small, consistent habits: testing alarms, checking sump pumps, changing furnace filters and addressing maintenance before it becomes a bigger problem.

Those habits make daily life easier, help protect your investment and create confidence in how a property has been cared for over time.

SMOKE & CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS · FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions for Newmarket and Aurora Homeowners