On July 17 Tim Hudak, Niagara West - Glanbrook MPP, and Ernie Hardeman, Oxford MPP, joined Doug DeRabbie, Director, Government Relations, Ontario from the Insurance Bureau of Canada to put additional carbon monoxide detectors in the homes of West Lincoln residents and to raise awareness that they are needed in all homes.
“You can’t see, smell or taste carbon monoxide; the only way to know if this deadly gas is in your home is by having a detector,” said Tim HudakMPP. “I want to thank the Insurance Bureau of Canada for making this lifesaving donation to help protect the people of West Lincoln.”
The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) made the donation of carbon monoxide detectors to the West Lincoln fire department as part of their campaign to raise awareness about the need for carbon monoxide detectors in all homes with a fuel burning appliance or an attached garage. The Insurance Bureau has already donated more than 1,000 detectors to Ontario fire departments.
Over the last 15 years, 250 Ontarians have died from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.
“Despite the serious threat of carbon monoxide poisoning, many Canadians do not have CO detectors in their home,” says Ralph Palumbo, Vice-President Ontario, IBC. “We thank MPP Ernie Hardeman for his leadership and perseverance to make CO detectors mandatory in all homes in Ontario. Imposing the installation of CO detectors is a wise investment that will help keep families safe at a minimal cost.”
It is now the law in Ontario that all homes with a fuel burning appliance or attached garage are required to have a functioning carbon monoxide detector. This law is a result of Hardeman’s private members’ bill which received Royal Assent on December 12, 2013, five years after being introduced. The bill was named the Hawkins Gignac Act in memory of a Woodstock family that was killed by carbon monoxide poisoning due to a blocked vent on their fireplace.
“Carbon Monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in North America, but many of these tragedies can be prevented by installing a CO detector,” said Hardeman. “While many of these tragedies happen in the winter due to snow blocking vents or leaks from furnaces, it’s important to remember that there are dangers all year and that all homes with a potential carbon monoxide source should have a detector.”