Late summer and early fall are ideal times to get away. The days are still warm, the evenings are cooler and cottages, cabins and short-term rentals are quieter after the summer rush.

However, this also means seasonal properties are beginning to shift from cooling to heating. Furnaces, fireplaces, wood stoves and other fuel-burning appliances may be used again after sitting idle for months, making the “shoulder season” an important time to think about carbon monoxide safety.

Carbon monoxide (or CO) is an invisible, odourless, and tasteless gas that can be extremely dangerous, even fatal, when inhaled. It’s produced when fuels don’t burn completely – often due to poor ventilation or malfunctioning appliances such as furnaces, water heaters, stoves, fireplaces, barbecues and portable generators.

Because CO cannot be seen or smelled, a working CO alarm is the only way to detect it.

Canada has a vacation safety gap

Kidde, a leader in home safety, conducted research that found that almost half of Canadian cottage owners (49%) admit their properties could be at risk because of missing or expired alarms.

Even when alarms are installed, they are not always checked. Almost half of cottage owners do not test their CO alarms when they arrive. Among short-term renters, 58% rarely or never test the alarms at their destination, often assuming the property owner has already done it.

When travellers arrive, they are usually focused on unloading and settling in. But owners, hosts and guests should all take a few minutes to confirm that working CO alarms are in place so they can enjoy their trip with added peace of mind.

The risks aren’t always obvious

Nearly four in 10 Canadians (39%) do not realize that common items such as wood stoves, gas barbecues and boat engines can produce deadly carbon monoxide.

The risk can increase as temperatures drop as we transition into Fall. Windows stay closed while heating systems come back into use. If equipment is poorly maintained or not venting correctly, CO can build up indoors without warning.

A property is not truly guest-ready just because it looks finished. The systems behind the walls and the safety devices throughout the space matter just as much. Seasonal homes can sit empty for long periods, giving alarms time to expire, batteries to lose power and vents to become blocked.

Make CO safety part of your arrival routine

This season, Kidde is encouraging travellers to take control of their safety wherever they stay. To help prepare for their next trip, here are a few ways Canadians can become advocates for their own safety:

• Find and test the alarms: Locate CO alarms near sleeping areas and on every level. Confirm they work and have not expired. Not all alarms are the same; if you’re ever unsure how to check whether they’re functioning, contact your host for help.
• Consider packing an alarm: When choosing an alarm to bring to your destination, consider AA- battery-powered units. Follow the product instructions and remove the batteries during transit. Be sure to reinsert the batteries and test your alarm to ensure it’s working properly once you arrive at your destination.
• Check fuel-burning systems: Owners should have heating equipment professionally inspected and vents cleared. Never use barbecues, camping stoves or generators indoors. It is also advised to use these appliances at least 6 metres (20 feet) away from any home or building, as well as all doors, windows, and vents.
• Know how to respond: If an alarm sounds, get everyone outside, call 9-1-1 and do not re-enter until professionals say it is safe.

Safety should be part of every destination

Protecting a property matters, but helping to protect the people inside it comes first. CO safety belongs on every owner’s maintenance list and every guest’s arrival checklist, especially as heating systems come back on for the new season.

Before your next getaway, test the alarms at home, consider packing a CO alarm and check your destination upon arrival. Visit KiddeCanada.com to download their Travel Safety Checklist and learn more about carbon monoxide safety at home and on your travels.

Reference

Kidde Canada & Harris Poll Canada. (2026, April 15). Kidde Canada Destination Safety Omnibus