You Can Get a Free Carbon Monoxide Alarm until Nov 7 | Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week

You know that video making its rounds on social media – the one about the different ‘types’ of Moms? I’m the one who does not bring the bagels. I’m the mom who runs to the grocery store at seven o’clock the morning before the class Halloween party and buys a fruit tray and a package of croissants to send with my kid in the drop-off line at school. I’m the mom who the other moms save, and the mom who always seems to be running behind, the mom who every one of our group sends a text message to remind that it’s school photo day. 

Yes, Janet. I remembered this year (despite how our photos turned out).

I like to think of our parenting style as ‘low key laid back’, a combination of ‘but did you die? ’and ‘free range parent’. That is, until it comes to the safety of our children.

Carbon monoxide alarm. Smoke detectors. Safety ladders that they can use to safety escape their bedrooms in case of a fire. Memorized emergency numbers. Plan A, B, and C for emergencies. 

It’s all about balance, right? 

Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week 

In Alberta, November 1-7 is carbon monoxide awareness week. It’s the perfect time for every parent to educate themselves about the carbon monoxide, and the risks that present themselves in our homes. 

Carbon Monoxide is often referred to as the ‘silent killer’ because it’s invisible, silent and odourless. In an enclosed space, such as a home or garage, CO exposure can lead to serious illness or death. 

Taking measures to prevent exposure can be simple, but there are often things that get overlooked in our busy lives, like having the furnace and natural gas appliances checked regularly by a qualified technician. You can read more about carbon monoxide prevention in your home, here.

Educating yourself is an important part of the parenting job – and let’s face it, there’s always room to learn. In fact, we learned something this week: It’s recommended to have one carbon monoxide alarm per floor, in the home. If you only have one, it should be placed near the bedrooms. Our sole carbon monoxide alarm is placed on the first level, so we’ve added it to our weekend to-do list, to add a second to our second level, nearer to the bedrooms. 

If you haven’t yet installed a carbon monoxide alarm in your home, or you need a second unit, ATCO is providing Alberta families with a FREE carbon monoxide alarm, all you need to do is fill out a simple form (think of all the time this frees up, parents!) before November 7, 2018. Hurry!

Visit www.atcogas.com to claim a free carbon monoxide alarm, because when it comes to the safety our children – we all bring the bagels.