A donation of 312 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to from Enbridge Gas will help Pickering Fire provide the life-saving alarms to more people through its fire safety outreach programs.
The donation was through Safe Community Project Zero – a public education campaign with the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council that will provide more than 14,500 alarms to residents in 75 communities across Ontario.
The goal is to improve home safety and bring fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths down to zero, said Ontario Fire Marshall John Pegg.
“There is a renewed focus on the importance of having working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your home. The objective of Safe Community Project Zero is to deliver these alarms to areas where they are needed most,” said Pegg, who also chairs the fire safety council. “It’s a program that helps fire departments educate their communities about the requirements to have working smoke alarms installed in all Ontario homes and for all Ontario homes to have a carbon monoxide alarm if they have a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage.”
This year, Enbridge Gas invested $450,000 in Safe Community Project Zero and has provided more than 101,000 alarms to Ontario fire departments over the past 16 years.
“The best way to reduce potential exposure to carbon monoxide is to properly maintain fuel-burning equipment,” said Stephen McCormack, Operations Supervisor, GTA East, Enbridge Gas. “These alarms are a critical second line of defence against carbon monoxide poisoning, known as ‘the silent killer.’ We are proud to support our communities, raise awareness, and help Ontarians implement these protection strategies.”
When properly installed and maintained, combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms help provide the early warning to safely escape from a house fire or carbon monoxide exposure. Carbon monoxide is a toxic, odourless gas, which is a by-product of incomplete combustion of many types of common fuels.
Pickering Fire Chief, Stephen Boyd thanked Enbridge Gas for the donation.
“Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are essential for maintaining fire safety in our community, alerting families to the dangers of smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide, and allowing them time to safely escape. With this donation of alarms, we are better equipped to deliver our fire safety outreach programs to the residents of Pickering. Together we can make a significant difference and empower families to take charge of their fire safety.”