'Full of carbon monoxide': Island couple says alarm may have saved their lives
A couple in Port Alberni, B.C., is crediting a carbon monoxide detector with potentially saving their lives.
The alarm, which was gifted to them by a family member, alerted the couple to the odourless gas.
"All of a sudden we heard this beeping and we all kind of hear it, but ignored it, and then we were like, 'What was that?'" said Shelly Anderson.
Port Alberni residents Nori and Shelly Anderson are pictured. (CTV News)The beeping was the carbon monoxide detector sounding its alarm. At first, Anderson's husband, Nori, thought the device might be defective.
"Well, my husband [thought it was]," said Anderson with a laugh.
"I was immediately concerned, I always err on the side of caution," she said.
So, the couple called 911 and firefighters arrived.
"They came into the house and here it was full of carbon monoxide and we had no idea where it would come from," said Anderson.
It turns out, the carbon monoxide was filling the house because a wire mesh that had been installed at the top of the couple's chimney to keep birds out was blocked by creosote.
Port Alberni deputy fire chief Wes Patterson says carbon monoxide incidents are relatively rare, but five did occur last year and two have occurred this year.
"Carbon monoxide is an odourless, tasteless gas that you'd be breathing in if it's in the atmosphere," he said. "The problem is it's cumulative, so it builds up and stays in the system for a long time."
When carbon monoxide incidents do occur, Patterson says they can be serious.
"Serious enough that people have had to go to the hospital to be checked out," he said, adding that health professionals will check for carbon monoxide levels in patients' bloodstreams.
The fire department recommends that everyone get a carbon monoxide detector, which can be purchased at any building supply or hardware store.
The Andersons got their alarm as a gift from their daughter-in-law.
"She put in the detector. If she had not put that detector in in 2020, I may not be standing here today," said Anderson.
The family has now purchased a second detector for the upper level of their home as well.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.