Toronto Ontario, February 5, 2009 – With what seems like weekly news reports of deaths and near-tragedies caused by carbon monoxide poisoning this winter, the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) -- and the Ontario Fire Marshall's Public Safety Council have joined forces with a leading CO alarm manufacturer to issue a free public education pamphlet online that it hopes will protect families and save lives.
"The steady stream of tragedies this winter is proof that people need to wake-up to the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning,” says Bruce Burrell, President of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs. "Media are reporting that in homes where deaths or near-misses occur, attending fire departments or safety officials are finding no CO alarms or not enough CO alarms installed. By making this simple pamphlet available for download, we’re hoping to help Canadians educate themselves about the steps they need to take to keep their families safer."
The one-page pamphlet called “Your Guide To Help Protect Your Family From Carbon Monoxide Tragedy” outlines the causes of carbon monoxide gas – dubbed the “silent killer” since it is colorless, odorless and tasteless – and the multiple threats to Canadian households. The download also clearly recommends how many CO alarms a home requires and lays out maintenance and replacement tips. It is available free at [url=http://www.safeathome.ca]http://www.safeathome.ca[/url].
“In many instances a single CO alarm in your home is not enough,” Chief Burrell notes. “As recommended by the National Fire Protection Association, you should install one CO alarm on every storey of your home and outside sleeping areas for the best protection. And make sure you only buy alarms that have a CSA 6.19-01 certification on the packaging. Remember too that after five-to-seven years, CO alarms need to be replaced. They wear out over time and homeowners should upgrade to the most current CO-sending technologies.” Chief Burrell hopes Canadians will download the information to make their own homes safer as well as those of elderly parents and relatives. Corporations too may download the free information pamphlet to share it with their employees.
The CAFC -- and the Ontario Fire Marshall's Public Safety Council secured the support of a leading CO alarm manufacturer to offset costs of this web-based public education initiative. Kidde Canada, which is also a leading smoke alarm manufacturer, supports CAFC’s grassroots fire and CO safety public education programs on an annual basis.
Carol Heller, a home safety expert with Kidde Canada says, “Many tragedies can be prevented by taking a few simple steps: have a licensed professional inspect your fuel-burning heating and cooking systems each year; install the correct number of CO alarms in your home; and, be sure that all exterior vents are cleared of snow and other obstructions. All these can keep families safer from this silent killer.”
Other tips that can prevent tragedy are remembering never to leave your car or recreational vehicle running in an attached garage or carport no matter how frigid the temperatures, and never operate a gas-fuelled generator inside the home or in attached spaces. The Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC) is the national public service association dedicated to reducing the loss of life and property from fire, and advancing the science and technology of the Fire and Emergency Service in Canada.
