Father charged for disabling carbon monoxide alarm, family nearly poisoned last week
Toronto Fire Services are charging an Etobicoke father for disabling the carbon monoxide alarm after he and his family, including his two-year-old child, were rushed to hospital last week for carbon monoxide poisoning.
Paramedics were called to a house on West Wareside Road — located near Rathburn Road west of Highway 427 — at about 2 a.m. after family members reported feeling sick.
The mother and the child were unconscious when emergency crews arrived, but regained consciousness when they were taken outside.
Firefighters immediately transported the family to a hospital. A firefighter was also treated for carbon monoxide exposure.
Toronto Fire Services conducted air-monitoring tests in the home and say they found readings of carbon monoxide at 900 parts per million, which they say "far exceeds acceptable levels."
They say they will be charging the Etobicoke homeowner for disabling the alarm that put his family's life at risk.
Though the father was a victim himself, he was charged to send a message that it's not okay to disconnect your carbon monoxide alarm, said Deputy Fire Chief Jim Jessop.
"It's akin to not having a car seat for your child," he said.
The Ontario Fire Code prohibits disabling carbon monoxide alarms and penalties can include up to $50,000 of fine or even a year in jail.
