Today, Enbridge Gas Inc. and Haldimand County Fire Department announced they are working to improve home safety and bring fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths down to zero.

Haldimand County Fire Department received 156 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms through Project Zero, – a public education campaign that will provide more than 9,100 alarms to residents in 40 municipalities across Ontario.

This year, Enbridge Gas Inc. invested $275,000 in Project Zero, and over the past 11 years, the program has provided more than 44,356 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 is known as the ‘silent killer’ for a reason, and we have proof that prevention saves lives. We know that the best way to avoid carbon monoxide exposure is to eliminate it at the source by properly maintaining fuel-burning equipment, and that the alarms are a critical second line of defense to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning,” says Murray Costello, Director, Southwest Region Operations, Enbridge Gas Inc.

“The objective of Project Zero is to deliver combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to Ontario communities who need them the most,” said Jon Pegg, Ontario Fire Marshal and Chief, Emergency Management. “It’s a program that municipal 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.”

“We are extremely grateful for Enbridge Gas Inc.’s support in promoting the dangers of carbon monoxide and donating 156 alarms. Every year when we conduct our door-to-door smoke detector & CO alarm inspection campaign, we encounter residents who cannot replace these critical items due to economic or mobility reasons. Enbridge’s support will enable us to expand our public education/assistance program and offer more alarms to those in need – at no cost,” says Jason Gallagher, Haldimand County Fire Chief & Manager of Emergency Services.

From left to right:

Richard Geerdink, Fire Prevention Officer – Haldimand County
Rodger Hill, Deputy Fire Chief – Haldimand County
Jason Gallagher, Fire Chief / Manager of Emergency Medical Services – Haldimand County
Nick Klip, Operations Manager – Enbridge Gas Inc.
James Schofield, Manager of Stations Measurement Corrosion – Enbridge Gas Inc., Southeast Region Operations
John Metcalfe, Ward 2 Councillor – Haldimand County