Today, Enbridge Gas Inc. (Enbridge Gas) and South River Machar Fire Department announced they are working together to improve home safety and bring fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths down to zero.
South River Machar Fire Department received 72 combination smoke and carbon
monoxide alarms through Safe Community Project Zero–a public education campaign
with the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council (FMPFSC) that will provide more than
14,500 alarms to residents in 75 communities across Ontario.
This year, Enbridge Gas invested $450,000 in Safe Community Project Zero, and over
the past 16 years, the program has provided more than 101,000 alarms to Ontario fire
departments.
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 that is a by-product of
incomplete combustion of many types of common fuels.
“The best way to reduce potential exposure to carbon monoxide is to properly maintain
fuel-burning equipment,” says Steve Wall, Supervisor Field Construction, Northern
Region, Enbridge Gas. “These alarms are a critical second line of defence against carbon
monoxide poisoning, known as ‘the silent killer’. We’re proud to support our communities,
and raise awareness and help Ontarians implement these protection strategies.”
“Across Ontario 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,” says John McBeth, Acting
Ontario Fire Marshal and Acting Chair of the FMPFSC. “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.”
“Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are essential in protecting our families from fire and
dangerous gases, giving them the early warning needed to escape safely. Every second
counts in an emergency, and having alarms in place truly saves lives,” says Fire Chief
Risto Maki. “Thanks to the Enbridge donation, our fire department can now expand our
alarm program, ensuring more homes are equipped with these critical devices. This support allows us to reach families who may not have had access before, making our
entire community safer.”
