If your home uses gas, propane, wood or heating oil for fuel, you should have a carbon monoxide detector. That's from Portage Fire Department Captain Corey Jowett. Jowett shares a recent incident.

"The Portage Fire Department received a 911 call advising of a residential carbon monoxide alarm sounding. Through the investigation it was noted that the hot water tank had failed, causing carbon monoxide to flow into the residence. The family was alerted in the early morning due to a well-placed carbon monoxide alarm which gave them the early warning to get the family out. And on investigation it was learned the gases from the hot water tank had actually gone off the scale for Manitoba Hydro's reading, well over a thousand parts. So, it reiterates that carbon monoxide's an invisible, tasteless and odourless gas that can be fatal, and the importance of having a carbon monoxide alarm giving the family a chance to get out early before suffering any consequences."

He notes the benefits of a detector.

"It makes a huge difference. It gives us the early warning when the carbon monoxide's at a low level so we're not suffering the oil effects of the carbon monoxide, and being able to fix whatever is faulty. For example, carbon monoxide's produced when fuels like propane, or natural gas. heating oil, wood are insufficiently burnt. So, this can occur in any appliance or device that burns these fuels, such as furnaces, fire places, hot water heaters or stoves."

Jowett says it's best to look at these during winter when there are wood stoves and fireplaces burning. However, many homes have gas-heated hot water tanks that operate year round.

He notes the detectors aren't mandatory in most houses, but are required in new construction and rental properties. Jowett says the best place to install a single unit is in the common sleeping area hallway, and if you have two, the second should be near the furnace room or any device that can produce carbon monoxide.

Jowett adds you should learn the difference between a trouble signal -- for example if the battery is low -- and the alarm. If the detector goes into an alarm, call 911 outside the residence and wait for the fire department and Manitoba Hydro to arrive.