Markham Fire donates smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to vulnerable residents

'We are giving the gift of peace of mind, saving lives and ensuring no one is left behind,' says Mayor Frank Scarpitti

Yorkregion.com
Dec. 8, 2021
Heidi Reidner

Markham Fire and Emergency Services (MFES), together with Enbridge Gas and the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council, are working to improve home safety and bring fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths down to zero.

MFES received 474 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms through Safe Community Project Zero, a public education campaign that receives financial backing from Enbridge Gas. The alarms will be distributed to vulnerable and at-risk residents in Markham. In 2019, MFES distributed 360 alarms.

This year, Enbridge Gas invested $500,000 in Safe Community Project Zero to provide more than 16,600 alarms to residents in 70 municipalities across Ontario. Over the past 13 years, the program has provided more than 68,000 alarms to Ontario fire departments.

“Markham and its partners are committed to fire safety and by looking out for one another, we are giving the gift of peace of mind, saving lives and ensuring no one is left behind,” said Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti.

“We are delighted to once again be a partner in this program and offer our deep appreciation to Enbridge Gas for providing the devices that will be distributed throughout the community.”

When properly installed and maintained, combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms help provide early warning to safely escape from a house fire or carbon monoxide exposure.

Carbon monoxide is an invisible, toxic, odourless gas that is produced when common fuels such as propane, gasoline, natural gas, heating oil or wood do not burn completely in furnaces, gas or wood fireplaces, hot water heaters and other appliances.

“Ontario homeowners are required to install a working carbon monoxide alarm next to each sleeping area of the home if there’s a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace or an attached garage,” said Markham Fire and Emergency Services Chief Adam Grant.

“If you live in a condo or apartment building with a service room or a garage, these alarms must be installed in the room and adjacent to each sleeping area above, below, and beside the service room and garage.”

Grant added the department is pleased to be part of Safe Community Project Zero again so it can support public education with free alarms to the most vulnerable in the community.

“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 defence to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning,” said Steve McGivery, director, GTA east operations, Enbridge Gas.

“Carbon monoxide is known as the ‘silent killer’ for a reason, and we have proof that prevention saves lives,” he added.

To learn more about Markham Fire & Emergency Services, visit markham.ca/fire.