The City of Toronto’s Fire Services, the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council and Enbridge Gas Distribution today announced a partnership to improve home safety and bring fire-related and carbon-monoxide-related deaths down to zero.
Toronto Fire Services has received 1,026 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms through Project Zero – a public education campaign that is providing more than 6,600 alarms to residents in 30 Ontario municipalities. Toronto Fire Services will be donating its allotment of alarms to the Daily Bread Food Bank for distribution to people in greatest need.
“As colder weather approaches, residents may spend more time indoors,” said Fire Chief Matthew Pegg. “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 by-product of incomplete combustion of many types of common fuels. All fuel-burning equipment needs to be properly maintained to prevent carbon monoxide buildup.
“Carbon monoxide alarms are recommended as a second line of defense to protect against the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning,” said Pegg.
“We have proof that prevention saves lives,” said Akilah Dressekie of Enbridge Gas Distribution. “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.”
“It is essential that Ontarians protect themselves and their families from carbon monoxide poisoning,” said 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.”
“We are happy to be able to meet the needs of our network with this donation. Helping families feel safe and secure goes hand in hand with feeding them,” said Neil Hetherington, CEO of Daily Bread Food Bank.
Project Zero has provided almost 35,000 alarms to participating municipalities for use in their communities. In Ontario, all residential units must have properly maintained smoke alarms installed on every level of the home and in sleeping areas.
This news release is also available on the City’s website: https://bit.ly/2AaSkD1
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