Technical Safety BC’s State of Safety Identifies Carbon Monoxide as Top Safety Risk

Technical Safety BC’s State of Safety Identifies Carbon Monoxide as Top Safety Risk to British Columbians for Third Consecutive Year  

Vancouver, BC (May 27, 2026) – Technical Safety BC today released its comprehensive 2025 State of Safety report, revealing its leading safety priorities and risks across the province. The report provides a snapshot of the most significant safety risks, incident patterns, and emerging trends across regulated technical systems in British Columbia. For the third consecutive year, carbon monoxide (CO) remains the top safety risk for British Columbians, underscoring the urgent need for increased public education and awareness about this deadly, odourless gas.   

“For the third consecutive year, carbon monoxide incidents continue to severely impact British Columbians, a stark reminder of these persistent and often unseen dangers,” said Phil Gothe, President and Lead Executive Officer at Technical Safety BC. “This consistent ranking of CO as our top safety risk is a powerful call to action. We urge everyone to take proactive steps: understand the signs, sources, and symptoms of CO exposure, and ensure proper prevention measures are in place to save lives.” 

The report ranks CO as the highest safety risk due to its severity, the high number of incidents, and a critical lack of public awareness of its deadly, odourless nature. This critical concern is highlighted by a fatal CO exposure incident in Castlegar, BC in February 2025, which Technical Safety BC investigated. The investigation found that the CO leak was due to an improperly installed and poorly maintained furnace, a preventable failure that underscores the report’s findings. 

To help British Columbians prevent these tragic incidents, Technical Safety BC provides the following essential safety tips: 

• Recognize the symptoms of CO exposure: Headaches, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, dizziness, unexplained tiredness or weakness, nausea, confusion or disorientation, vomiting, and chest pain.
• Install and maintain CO alarms: Install Canadian-certified CO alarms on every floor and near bedrooms. Test monthly, replace batteries as needed, and replace the unit every 7–10 years.
• Have gas appliances inspected: Schedule annual inspections with a licensed gas contractor to keep appliances safe, properly vented, and up to code.
• Know the sources of CO: Furnaces, boilers, hot water tanks, stoves, fireplaces, portable heaters, generators, vehicles running in attached garages, or any fuel-burning device used without proper ventilation.
• Stay vigilant while on vacation: Heading to vacation cabins, RVs, or rentals this summer? Appliances may pose a risk due to inadequate maintenance. CO is also a byproduct of many common fuel-burning appliances used on vacation, including portable stoves/heaters, barbecues, firepits, kerosene lamps, gas-fired generators, and refrigerators.

Gothe added, “While carbon monoxide requires immediate attention, our State of Safety report provides a comprehensive view of the broader safety landscape in B.C., and provides practical information to help British Columbians make safer decisions at home, at work, and in their communities. Hazards like gas line strikes, electrical shock, and unsafe ammonia management also present significant and persistent risks that require careful attention. Our commitment extends to all these areas, and we are continuously working with industry and the public to identify trends, promote compliance, and drive down incidents across all technical systems, ensuring a safer province for everyone.” 

Top Risks for British Columbians 

Beyond the persistent threat of CO, the 2025 State of Safety report outlines other critical hazards that British Columbians should be aware of: 

• Gas line strikes: Damaging a gas line can lead to gas service outages in your community, as well as fires, explosions, property damage, or serious injury.
• Electrical shock: When safety precautions are skipped, overlooked, or neglected, the likelihood of electrical shock increases significantly. Electrical shock can result in serious injury or even death.
• Electrical fire: As one of the most common types of fires in Canada, electrical fires can be caused by uncertified or faulty electrical equipment including wiring, components, or lithium-ion batteries which can overheat, malfunction, or become damaged over time.
• Ammonia: This is used to cool ice rinks, cold storage facilities, and warehouses. But when it’s not managed safely, contact with the chemical can be deadly.

To proactively address these identified risks and continuously strengthen the safety system for all British Columbians, Technical Safety BC is intensifying its efforts. This includes enforcement actions to promote the timely correction of non-compliances, alongside strategic collaboration with industry stakeholders to identify emerging trends, implement best practices, and ultimately protect the public from preventable harm. 

View the State of Safety 2025 Report. 

About Technical Safety BC   
Technical Safety BC is an independent, self-funded organization that oversees the safe installation and operation of technical systems and equipment. In addition to issuing licences, certificates, and permits it works with industry to reduce safety risks through assessment, research, education and outreach, incident investigations, and enforcement. For more information, visit www.technicalsafetybc.ca. 

Media Contact:   
Technical Safety BC   
media@technicalsafetybc.ca