The colder weather means a lot of people will be trying to stay warm and cozy by firing up the fireplace or wood stove.

Fire Prevention Officer with the High River Fire Department, Clayton Rutberg says it's time to keep carbon monoxide front of mind.

"It's that time of year again, in November, we kind of get back into carbon monoxide awareness, and we really just want to remind people that carbon monoxide is known as the silent killer, it's invisible, tasteless and odourless, so it's really important that everybody make sure they have a working CO alarm in the house and make sure it's good to go for the season," Rutberg says.

He says it's a good idea to have one on each floor close to bedrooms so if the family's asleep they can be awakened by the alarm if there's a problem.

Rutberg also says it's a good idea to get chimneys and gas appliances checked and clean out dryer vents.

If the alarm goes out, get out of the house and then call 9-1-1 so the fire department can check everything out and make sure it's safe before going back inside.

"We start to see these types of calls creeping up every year and a lot of it is just those alarms are coming to the end of their life span or are having some issues and need to be replaced,but some are the real thing with people using their furnaces more to stay warm," he says.

He says if alarms are ten years old or more they should be replaced.

Check the manufacturers directions for how to safely dispose of them.