Enbridge Gas Ontario teams up with Rideau Lakes Fire Rescue to Reduce Fire and Carbon Monoxide Deaths through Safe Community Project Zero

Elgin (Rideau Lakes) – Yesterday, Enbridge Gas Ontario (Enbridge Gas), the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council (FMPFSC) and Rideau Lakes Fire Rescue announced they are working together to improve home safety and bring fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths down to zero.

Rideau Lakes Fire Rescue received 156 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms through Safe Community Project Zero–a public education campaign 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 the 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 killerʼ,” says Chris Brennan, Senior Advisor, Municipal &Stakeholder Affairs, 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 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.”

“Too many preventable tragedies start with a missing or non-working alarm. These units give our residents the vital early warning they need and help us take another step toward eliminating fire and carbon monoxide deaths in Rideau Lakes. We appreciate Enbridge Gas for investing directly in the safety of our community.” Says Deputy Chief Shane Peters

“Programs like Safe Community Project Zero are making a real difference for families in Rideau Lakes and across Ontario. By providing life-saving alarms, Enbridge Gas, the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council and Rideau Lakes Fire & Rescue are helping prevent tragedies before they happen. This is about keeping people safe where it matters most – in their homes – and I’m pleased to see these initiatives having an impact in our community,” said Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes.