Proudly Protecting the Town of Aurora and Newmarket
Smoke, Carbon Monoxide, and Heat Alarms
Smoke Alarms
Carbon monoxide Alarms
Carbon monoxide Alarms
Carbon monoxide Alarms
Carbon monoxide Alarms
Carbon monoxide Alarms
Heat alarms
Carbon monoxide Alarms
Heat alarms
Frequently Asked Questions
What Type of Smoke Alarm(s) do I Need?
The simplest answer is, matching like with like.
Whatever your home was built with must be maintained.
For example: If your home was built with one hardwired smoke alarm on the upper floor only, that alarm must be replaced with a hardwired smoke alarm. The other floors can have battery operated alarms, if you are certain those floors did not originally have hardwired alarms when built.
You can upgrade technologies, not downgrade.
So in this same house, your upper floor smoke alarm can be a combination Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm for example - however it must be a hardwired unit.
Another example is a newer home built with all hard-wired and strobe Smoke Alarms on each floor and in each bedroom. These must all be maintained with matching features: hardwired, strobe, and locations.
IMPORTANT NOTE: the laws and requirements are different for homes with accessory dwelling units (converted into separate apartments), structural changes, and other factors. If you are unsure whether your home requires more than the above description feel free to call us with your questions.
What type of carbon monoxide (co) alarms do i need?
The laws in Ontario have been updated as of January 1st, 2026. All homes with a fuel-fired appliance and/or attached garage must have Carbon Monoxide Alarms on every floor.
There are many options available including wall-mounted, plug-in, and combination units.
We recommend replacing Smoke Alarms with combination units (Smoke and CO) for peace of mind. Upgrade your whole home in one swoop.
Combination Smoke/CO Alarms have a lifespan of 10-yrs (same as your existing smoke alarms).
Read manufacturer instructions to ensure whether that life span begins from manufacture date (stamped on back of alarm) or from when the package is opened.
Choose which type of device works best for you and your home on each floor.
Ultimately the goal is to protect your home and family from Carbon Monoxide - and to meet the new code requirement of course!
Where do I install them?
We recommend installing Smoke Alarms and/or combination Smoke and CO Alarms on the ceiling in areas where they are not too close to sources where nuisance alarms can happen often, and where when activated they can wake you from sleep.
So, a couple extra feet away from the kitchen and bathroom where steam and heat can activate the sensitive detectors in your alarms.
We want the alarms to remain sensitive so we get early-warning and the all-precious time to evacuate in the event of an emergency. Exposing the alarms were they are frequently activating because they are too close to sources, can overwork the device and wear on the detector quicker.
Almost more importantly - it can create a habit for the family to assume the alarm is over-reacting and effect reaction times.
If you experience false alarms and cannot relocate your devices, it is vital that the family discuss a plan for what to do in the event of an emergency. Practise a drill, time yourselves, assign responsibilities for each adult (where do we meet outside, who calls 9-1-1, who is in charge of each child evacuating, the dog, etc.) to help readjust the seriousness of an alert. Be prepared.
If you choose to purchase a stand-alone CO alarm rather than a combination Smoke/CO Alarm:
The key is to make sure your plug-in or wall-mounted CO alarm can breathe, has a consistent power source, and is not completely out-of-mind.
1. Do not block with furniture etc, make sure your CO Alarm has an open radius of space to do it's job.
2. If you opt for a plug-in unit, install it in an outlet that it can remain in without being moved for convenience.
3. Make sure you can see it. For example, of you opt for a wall-mounted CO alarm, install it at shoulder height in a hallway - similar to a thermostat.
Responsibilities of Landlords VS Tenants
Simply put, if you own your home you are responsible for the maintenance of your alarms.
If you are a renter, you are responsible for reporting issues with your alarms to the owner (or staff) immediately.
Both entities should keep records, and work as a team to ensure the home is fire-safe and detection is in working order.
See more detail below under " Smoke Alarm Safety and Regulations".
Have more questions?
If you are a Newmarket or Aurora resident, feel free to call us on our non-emergency number:
General: 905-895-9222 or info@cyfs.ca
Our Fire & Life Safety Educator:
Jennifer Baker
905-895-9222, Extension 3024
Smoke Alarm Safety & Regulations
Ontario law requires that working smoke alarms be located on every storey of the home and outside of
The law applies to all single-family, semi-detached, and town homes, whether owned or rented. It is also recommended that smoke alarms be checked regularly and replaced in accordance with manufacturers' recommendations.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failure to comply with the Ontario Fire Code smoke alarm requirements can result in:
- Ticket: $295 fine plus applicable fees
- Fine for Homeowners, Tenants, and Landlords: Up to $50,000.
Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives
Most fatal fires occur at night when people are sleeping. Working smoke alarms detect smoke and sound to alert you.
Placement Tips
- Install alarms on the ceiling, as smoke rises.
- Avoid installing alarms in or adjacent to kitchens, bathrooms, or near air vents, windows, and ceiling fans.
Maintenance Tips
- Test Monthly: Press the test button on your smoke alarms each month.
- Replace Batteries Regularly: Install a new battery in each alarm once a year. Replace immediately if warning beeps sound. A good reminder is to change batteries during Spring and Fall clock changes.
- Clean Annually: Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust from the unit. Refer to the manufacturer’s instruction manual for details.
Types of Smoke Alarms
There are two main types of smoke alarms: ionization and photoelectric:
Power Sources
- Battery-Powered: Uses 9-volt or lithium batteries.
- Hardwired: Connected to 120-volt house wiring, often with battery backup to ensure operation during power outages.
Ionization Alarms
- Uses an ionization chamber and ionizing radiation.
- Responds quickly to flaming fires with smaller combustion particles.
- How It Works: Smoke particles neutralize ions, causing a drop in current and triggering the alarm.
Photoelectric Alarms
- Detects smoke by scattering light from particles.
- Responds quickly to smoldering fires.
- How It Works: Smoke scatters the light beam, directing it onto a sensor that triggers the alarm.
Which Method is Better?
Both ionization and photoelectric alarms are effective and must pass the same certification tests (ULC).
- Ionization Alarms: Better for flaming fires but may trigger false alarms from cooking. Built-in security warns users to replace batteries before failure.
- Photoelectric Alarms: Better for smoldering fires. Backup batteries can enhance reliability.
Additional Considerations
- High humidity or steam can cause false alarms in both types.
- Ionization alarms are typically less expensive but more sensitive to minute smoke particles.
Remember: Proper maintenance and placement of smoke alarms are critical for your safety. Ensure you have working alarms in your home and a fire escape plan in place.
How to dispose of Smoke Alarms?
East Gwillimbury Household Hazardous Waste and Recycling
225 Garfield Wright Blvd, East Gwillimbury
Carbon Monoxide
The Silent Killer
🔹 You can't see it.
🔹 You can't smell it.
🔹 You can't taste it.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is undetectable without a working CO alarm.
Carbon monoxide alarms save lives.
It is mandatory to have a working CO alarm installed ON EVERY LEVEL in your home.
(As of January 2026)
Know the Signs. Act Fast.
If you or someone you’re with experiences symptoms of CO poisoning—such as dizziness, headache, nausea, confusion, or weakness—get to fresh air immediately and call 911.
What is Carbon Monoxide (CO)?
CO is a highly poisonous gas produced when fuel-burning appliances (fireplaces, dryers, furnaces, stoves, water heaters, etc.) do not get enough air to burn completely. High amounts of Carbon Monoxide is deadly to humans and pets.
Stay Safe. Be Prepared.
✅ Install and test CO alarms regularly.
✅ Never block vents, chimneys, or exhausts.
✅ Have fuel-burning appliances inspected annually.
Learn more through the resources below:
Province of Ontario:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/carbon-monoxide-safety
TSSA:
https://www.tssa.org/changes-ontario-fire-code-new-requirements-co-alarms
Heat Alarms
recommended by cyfs
While these alarms are not required by law, we highly recommend them as a way to upgrade the detection of fire in your home. In addition to your other alarms.
These are a little harder to find in stock, but we have seen retailers making them more available with an increased demand.
Some may have 1 or 2 on the shelves, or may require special order.
Call ahead to your go-to hardware store or check out availability here.
Real-Life Stories
Attached garages are the second most common area of origin for home fires in Ontario.
Check out our videos below where real people share their experiences with Heat Alarms.
CTV News - Heat Alarms in Garages Could Become Mandatory
Taken too soon. Michelle shares her Father's Story
Success Story - The Agnoletto Family Share Their Experience
two current options available in ontario, below.
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