SCUGOG — The Scugog Fire Department is partnering with local community agencies and others to distribute 150 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms that were donated by Enbridge Gas Distribution.
The fire department received the alarms on July 10 through Project Zero, a public education campaign that is providing more than 6,600 alarms to residents in 30 Ontario municipalities. The Ontario Fire Marshal’s public fire safety council is also involved in the program.
In an effort to determine who will receive the free alarms, the Scugog Fire Department reached out to the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation community as well as Community Care Durham and Operation Scugog “to help us with who may need such an appliance,” said Chief Mark Berney.
If it comes down to a decision between buying groceries or an alarm, said the fire chief, “that’s who we want to ensure gets these.”
The Scugog Fire Department applied to Enbridge to participate in the program, he added.
The goal behind the program is to improve home safety and bring fire- and carbon monoxide-related deaths down to zero, said a press release from Scugog Township.
This year, Enbridge has invested $200,000 in Project Zero and since 2009, 34,384 alarms have been provided to Ontario fire departments through the program.
When properly installed and maintained, combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms help provide the early warning that is needed to safely escape from a house fire or carbon monoxide exposure.
Carbon monoxide is a toxic, odourless gas that is a byproduct of incomplete combustion of many types of common fuels.
“We have proof that prevention saves lives. Knowing this, we remain committed to educating our customers about the importance of installing a combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm, as well as properly maintaining fuel-burning equipment,” said Doug Christie of Enbridge Gas Distribution in the Scugog press release.
“It is essential that Ontarians protect themselves and their families from carbon monoxide poisoning,” added Ross Nichols, Ontario Fire Marshal and chair of the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council. “By installing carbon monoxide alarms in their home on every level and adjacent to sleeping areas, residents can help prevent needless tragedies. Project Zero is an invaluable program that helps fire departments educate residents in their community about carbon monoxide alarms.”
For more information, call the Scugog Fire Department at 905-985-2384.
Link to original article in Durham Region.com: Scugog looking to distribute 150 donated smoke, carbon monoxide alarms