Markham Fire to donate smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to vulnerable residents

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 received 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,” says 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.

“We are pleased to be part of Safe Community Project Zero again so we can support public education with free alarms to the most vulnerable in our community,” says Markham Fire and Emergency Services Fire Chief Adam Grant. “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. 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.”

“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 Steve McGivery, Director, GTA East Operations, Enbridge Gas.

“The objective of Safe Community Project Zero is to deliver combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to Ontario communities who need them the most,” says Jon Pegg, Ontario Fire Marshal and Chair of the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council. “It’s a program that fire departments can adopt to help educate their communities about the requirement for all Ontario homes to have a carbon monoxide alarm if they have a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage.”

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

Markham Fire and Emergency Services Fire Chief Adam Grant standing in front of the 474 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms received through Safe Community Project Zero. Behind him are Deputy Fire Chief Matt Keay (L) and Deputy Fire Chief Chris Nearing (R).