Enbridge Gas has entered a partnership with a local fire service to help wipe out death and illness due to carbon monoxide poisoning.
The Lakeshore Fire Department was presented Friday with 216 combination smoke and CO alarms through the Safe Project Community Zero initiative. It's part of a $500,000 effort by Enbridge to work with fire departments on preventing CO-related tragedies.
"Lakeshore Fire Department is proud and thankful to partner with Enbridge Gas and the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council on this important initiative," said Fire Chief Don Williamson in a media release. "Firefighting staff will make door-to-door visits to pre-determined, high-risk areas within Lakeshore. Together, we will ensure our residents have the alarms they require to ensure an early warning and ultimately a safe and happy outcome."
When these hybrid detectors are installed, they provide early warnings to residents so they can escape from smoke, fire, or CO, which is a colourless, odourless gas that can, and has, killed. According to the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs, an average of 11 people die each year from CO poisoning.
"It’s a program that fire departments can adopt to help educate their communities about the requirement for all Ontario homes to have a CO alarm if they have a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage," said Ontario Fire Marshal Jon Pegg.
Enbridge Gas's official website provides complete information on how to protect yourself and your family from CO poisoning.
