The LaSalle Fire Service has joined others across Ontario in promoting awareness of the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning.
The department has teamed up with Enbridge Gas and has received 240 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms through Project Zero. The utility company invested $225,000 into the initiative, which has provided alarms to fire services across the province over the past 12 years.
"The objective of Project Zero is to deliver combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to Ontario communities who need them the most," said Ontario Fire Marshal Jon Pegg in a media release. "It’s a program that fire departments can adopt to help educate their communities about the requirement for all Ontario homes to have a CO alarm if they have a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage."
The alarms, once properly installed in homes, is the first line of defence against carbon monoxide, a colourless, odourless gas that can kill. It is a common byproduct of incomplete combustion of many types of fuels, according to the release.
LaSalle Fire Chief Don Sutton said the program is a huge help in educating residents about protection from CO poisoning.
"LaSalle Fire Service is very grateful to have been selected to participate in this generous program with Enbridge Gas," said Sutton. "As trusted public safety partners, their generous donation to our community will assist us in ensuring some of our more vulnerable populations have the vital early warning protection of working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Programs such as these also provide the fire service with an opportunity to educate members of the community on fire safety issues and carbon monoxide awareness."
