Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services has received 324 smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, which are primarily for the fire department's seniors program (Project ASAP) as well as the Smoke Alarm Program.
"If a crew goes to a home that does not have a working smoke or carbon monoxide alarm and they are unable to purchase one at that time, due to stores being closed or other circumstances that prevent them from getting to the store to purchase a new alarm, we can provide them with an alarm, so as to not leave them unprotected," said Aaron Gravelle, public education officer with Sault Fire Services.
The full news release from yesterday's announcement is below:
Enbridge Gas Ontario and Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services announced they are working together to improve home safety and bring fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths down to zero.
Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services received 324 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms through Safe Community Project Zero–a public education campaign with the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council that will provide more than 14,200 alarms to residents in 75 communities across Ontario.
This year, Enbridge Gas invested $450,000 in Safe Community Project Zero, and over the past 17 years, the program has provided more than 115,000 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.
“Carbon monoxide alarms play a vital role as a second line of defence against this invisible threat, often called ‘the silent killer,” says Cory Luukkonen, Supervisor
Operations, Enbridge Gas.
“Proper maintenance of fuel-burning appliances is the most effective way to prevent carbon monoxide exposure. We’re proud to support our communities by raising awareness and helping Ontarians take simple, proactive steps to stay safe in their homes.”
“Each day, fire departments focus their efforts on educating the public about the importance of having working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their home. The objective of Safe Community Project Zero, is to deliver these alarms to areas where they are needed most,” says Jon Pegg, Ontario Fire Marshal and Chair of the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council.
“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.”
“A properly installed and maintained smoke alarm is the only thing in your home that can alert you and your family to a fire 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” says Peter Johnson, Fire Chief of Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services.
“Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms must be maintained! The safety of everyone in your household depends on it.”