Tillsonburg firefighters are set to receive an extra supply of carbon monoxide alarms to distribute to the community, enhancing safety in homes.
The Tillsonburg District Real Estate Board’s community programs committee has donated 67 carbon monoxide alarms to the Tillsonburg Fire and Rescue Services.
This donation, contributed by local real estate firms and businesses, is typically made during Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week, which occurs from Nov. 1 to Nov. 7.
“We’ve been doing it for the past five years,” said Marcel Vandehoef, chair of the board’s community programs committee, mentioning that in previous years they also set up a booth at the Tillsonburg Town Centre with firefighters assisting.
“I think it’s just about creating awareness,” said Vandehoef. “It’s a small thing we can do back for the community.”
According to Tillsonburg fire Chief Brad Lemaich, having carbon monoxide alarms is mandatory in any home that has fuel-fired appliances or an attached garage.
“Anybody with natural gas, propane, wood, oil, or whatever, or an attached garage, then they have to have them outside of the sleeping areas in the home,” Lemaich said.
Even though this law has been in place since 2014, Lemaich noted that it’s still an “uphill battle” when it comes to educating people.
“A lot of people don’t understand that they have a finite life span – you can’t depend on them forever – so it’s great when these folks approached us with the offer to partner up. We wholeheartedly accepted and are very grateful for their donation. It helps us, resource-wise, with our CO program in the community.”
Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman was also present to support the seventh annual Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week. He introduced the Hawkins Gignac Act as a private member’s bill in 2013.
“Since we got the bill, we’ve been so pleased with how the fire services have taken it up and it’s now become almost as prevalent as it is to remind people of the importance of smoke detectors.”
A colorless, odorless and tasteless gas, carbon monoxide can be produced by burning gasoline, wood, propane, charcoal or other fuels. If appliances and engines aren’t ventilated properly-especially in tightly sealed spaces-carbon monoxide can build up dangerously high levels that could be fatal.
Carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to symptoms ranging from headaches and nausea to confusion and loss of consciousness-and even death.
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