Protect your home with smoke and CO detectors

Sobering statistics

Each year in Quebec on average:

• Fires damage nearly 5,000 homes
• Claim 41 lives and injure over 300 people
• Material losses surpass $300 million
• Nearly one-third of these homes had no working smoke detector 

Your legal obligations

The Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) has been requiring the installation of smoke and CO detectors in homes since 2016. They are your first line of defense against fires and CO poisoning.

Smoke detectors: Mandatory in all homes–one on each floor, including the basement.  

Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors: Mandatory if you have any combustion appliance (stove, fireplace, water heater, gas furnace) or an attached garage.

Have an all-electric home with no garage?   A CO detector is not mandatory, but it’s still a smart choice.  Carbon monoxide is invisible, odourless, and can seep in from next door.

Who does what in apartment buildings?

Responsibility is shared in buildings with multiple units:

• Owners must install ULC (Underwriters Laboratories of Canada)-certified detectors.
• Residents test, maintain, and replace detectors when necessary. 

Choosing the right smoke detectors

The best detector for you depends on your home’s setup, possible fire sources, and where you plan to install them.  

Photoelectric detectors

• Best for slow, smoldering fires that produce heavy smoke (mattresses, fabrics, wiring).
• Less sensitive to steam and ideal near kitchens and bathrooms.

Ionization detectors

• React faster to sudden, intense fires (paper, grease, frying oil).
• Recommended for bedrooms and hallways.

Dual-sensors

• Combine photoelectric and ionization technology.
• Offer better coverage for different types of fires.

Smoke + CO combo

• Detect both smoke and CO.
• Ideal for homes with combustion appliances or an attached garage.

Smart buying tips

• Check the ULC logo (Canadian safety standard) before buying.
• Consider interconnected detectors: if one alarm sounds, all alarms go off.
• Choose sealed 10-year batteries to reduce maintenance and avoid forgetting replacements.

Where and how to install your detectors

Location matters as much as quality.   Well-placed detectors detect danger sooner and avoid false alarms. Poor placement can leave you unprotected at critical moments.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for exact height and spacing.

Smoke detectors

Smoke rises quickly to the ceiling, making it the best place to install detectors for early warning.  

Install them:

• At least 10 cm from the wall.
• In hallways and near bedrooms for nighttime safety.

Skip these spots:

• Kitchens and bathrooms (false alarms).
• Near vents, fans, or windows (smoke may not reach the sensor).

Carbon monoxide detectors

CO blends with air so location matters. Mount at breathing height:

• About 1.5 m from the floor.
• Install in rooms where you spend the most time.
• Near bedrooms for nighttime protection.
• Close to garages or combustion appliances (fireplace, stove, water heater, gas furnace).

Skip these spots:

• Directly beside combustion appliances (temporary emissions can trigger false alarms).
• Kitchens and bathrooms (steam and humidity interfere with detection).
• Near windows, doors, or vents (airflow dilutes CO).
• Unheated garages or areas exposed to extreme cold.

Make sure your smoke detectors work

• Test them monthly.
• Clean them twice a year with a vacuum or soft cloth to remove dust.
• Replace batteries annually, ideally when DST ends, unless you have sealed 10 year batteries.
• Never paint your detectors, as they block sensors.

When to replace smoke and CO detectors?

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors have a limited lifespan. Sensors fade over time even if they appear fine.

Check the expiration date on the detector (printed on casing). If no date is visible, replace it.

Replacement guidelines:

• 10 years for smoke detectors.
• 5–7 years for CO detectors. 

Hear an intermittent beep? It’s a warning to change the battery or replace the detector. 

If the alarm sounds

In case of fire:

• Evacuate everyone immediately.  Close the doors behind you.
• Call 911 from outside.
• Never go back in until firefighters say it’s safe.

In case of CO alarm:

• If it’s safe, turn off the possible source (combustion appliance or vehicle engine)
• Go outside immediately.
• Call 911 from outside.
• Don’t go back in until an expert checks the home.

CO is invisible and deadly.  You should leave first and ask questions later.

Safety first

Preventing fires made easy:

• Have your heating appliances inspected once a year.
• Never leave an engine running in a closed garage.
• Keep gas, propane, and charcoal appliances outdoors.
• Draw up a family fire drill plan and practise it regularly.

Test your smoke alarms today and replace any that are outdated. These simple steps could save lives.