In 2023, carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning claimed the lives of 40 people in Ontario, according to the province. This comes as a local fire department launched a new initiative to distribute nearly 500 CO alarms throughout the city.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is most commonly produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels.
The London Fire Department has been gifted 498 carbon monoxide (CO) alarms by Enbridge Gas. This donation is part of an initiative to provide these essential safety devices to low-income families throughout Ontario.
Jamie Kovacs is the Executive Director of the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council. Jamie spoke about how it’s important for not just adults but also young students to check their carbon monoxide detectors.
“To the young people of the world, not only are you responsible for yourself, I need you to check on your parents. If you go home for break, and your home for a weekend, I need you to check your alarms.”
The
donation received by the London Fire department was funded by Enbridge through the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council. Each CO detector is worth $50 dollars with the donation value being an estimated $25,000 dollars.
The London Fire Department teamed up with Atlohsa Family Healing Services to select the homes where new smoke and carbon monoxide alarms will be installed.
Mayor Josh Morgan also attend the event, speaking about his experience with carbon monoxide detectors.
Josh Morgan Speaking at the fire hall.
“I think it was about 2009, and two kids at the time, and during the day I had a carbon monoxide alarm and it went off, and I had no idea why.”
“I wanted to be safe so we exited the house. We Had someone come over and look at it was gas leak or whatever, turns out that the situation was the garage was attached, very bad seal in the garage door, and exhaust from the car because of a bad sealed pipe. Another part of the house was sucking air through the garage into the house, and into the living area.”
In 2014, carbon monoxide (CO) alarms were made mandatory in all Ontario homes following the tragic deaths of OPP officer Laurie Hawkins, her husband Richard, and their two children in 2008. Under the law, CO alarms must now be installed on every floor of a home, as well as outside sleeping areas, to help prevent such tragedies in the future.
