Combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are donated to fire department

Enbridge Gas officials and Ramara Fire officials are pictured with combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. (Ramara Fire and Rescue Services)

Enbridge Gas Ontario and Ramara Fire and Rescue Services are partnering to improve home safety and bring fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths down to zero.

Often called the silent killer, carbon monoxide is a toxic, odourless gas that can result from malfunctioning appliances.

Enbridge has donated 150 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to the Township of Ramara. The donation was part of Community Project Zero, a public education campaign with the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council (FMPFSC).

“The objective of Safe Community Project Zero, is to deliver these alarms to areas where they are needed most,” said Jon Pegg, Ontario Fire Marshal and Chair of the FMPFSC.

“It is a program that not only helps fire departments raise awareness about the legal requirement to have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms installed in all Ontario homes, but also reinforces the critical role they play in saving lives,” Pegg added.

Ramara Fire said the campaign will provide over 14,200 alarms to residents in 75 communities throughout the province.

Enbridge invested $450,000 in the campaign. Over the last 17 years, the program has given more than 115,000 alarms to fire departments in Ontario.

Ramara Fire said that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, as long as they are properly installed and maintained, give early warning signs for people to safely escape from a house fire or carbon monoxide exposure.

Effective Jan. 1, the Ontario Fire Code will legislate that carbon monoxide alarms be on every level that has a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or an attached garage.

“As we work to meet these new safety requirements, it is because of great corporate citizens like Enbridge that we are able to support the needs of our community,” said Ramara Fire Chief Tony Strong.

“Their donation of 150 combination smoke and CO alarms allows us to proactively address the need for early detection, and ultimately, Project Zero will translate into lives saved,” Strong continued.

Enbridge says the most effective way to prevent carbon monoxide exposure is to properly maintain fuel-burning appliances.