Enbridge Gas and the North Grenville Fire Service are working to improve home safety and bring fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths to zero.
The North Grenville Fire Service received 216 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms through Project Zero. Project Zero is a public education campaign that will provide 7,500 alarms to residents in 35 municipalities across Ontario.
The municipality says combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms help provide the early warning to safely escape from a house fire or carbon monoxide exposure when they are properly installed. Carbon monoxide is a toxic, odourless gas.
Ian Ross, Director of Eastern Region Operations, Enbridge Gas, says carbon monoxide is known as the ‘silent killer’ for a reason, and there’s proof that prevention saves lives.
“We know that the best way to avoid carbon monoxide exposure is to eliminate it at the source by properly maintaining fuel-burning equipment, and that the alarms are a critical second line of defense to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning.”
Jon Pegg, Ontario Fire Marshal, says Project Zero’s objective is to deliver combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to Ontario communities who need them the most.
North Grenville Fire Chief John Okum says people can keep their families safe by having working smoke alarms on every story of their home and a carbon monoxide alarm outside all sleeping areas.
Fire Prevention Officer Shannon Armitage says smoke alarms are good for 10 years and they want to put the units to good use in the community right away.
“We are wanting all residents of North Grenville to be safe and to have a working smoke alarm on every storey of their home and outside every sleeping area. Â Smoke/co combination alarms can be pricy, if someone cannot afford to purchase a smoke/co alarm but needs one, we would like them to reach out to us so we can help keep them and their families safe.”
Enbridge Gas has invested $225,000 in Project Zero this year, according to North Grenville.