EXETER – Homes in South Huron are getting safer with the help of Safe Community Project Zero.
South Huron fire Chief Jeremy Becker said the program helps make alarms more accessible for those who may not be able to afford them.
“Every year, our communities face more and more financial challenges,” said Becker. “This grant will allow our firefighters to help our communities throughout the municipality of South Huron by handing out smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to those in need and to give them a break on the pocketbook. The smoke and carbon monoxide alarms will help keep our residents and visitors safe because every second counts in the event of a fire or carbon monoxide emergency.”
When properly installed and maintained, combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms help provide the early warning needed to safely escape from a house fire or carbon monoxide exposure. Carbon monoxide is a toxic, odourless gas that is a byproduct of the incomplete combustion of many types of common fuels.
“Across Ontario, there is a renewed focus on the importance of having working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your home,” said Ontario Fire Marshal and safety council chair Jon Pegg. “The objective of Safe Community Project Zero is to deliver these alarms to areas where they are needed most. It’s a program that fire departments can adopt to help educate their communities about the requirement 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 $315,000 in the project, and the program has provided more than 86,000 alarms to fire departments throughout Ontario over the last 15 years.
“Properly maintaining fuel-burning equipment is the best way to reduce potential exposure to carbon monoxide, and an alarm is a critical second line of defence for protection,” said Enbridge Gas London operations supervisor Luke Berkmortel. “When we implement these strategies together, we protect our loved ones from carbon monoxide poisoning, also known as the silent killer.”