Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing partnered with Insurance Bureau of Canada to donate carbon monoxide alarms for the homes of local residents and to raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.
The local announcement came down on Friday Morning.
“I am happy to be donating these life-saving carbon monoxide alarms today,” said Fedeli in a release.
“Carbon monoxide poisoning is easily preventable. Donations like these help raise much-needed awareness of the importance of guarding against carbon monoxide.”
John Gignac, a retired veteran of the Brantford Fire Department and Executive Director of the Hawkins-Gignac Foundation for C O Education, was in North Bay today and joined Mr. Fedeli at the event. Mr. Gignac founded the Hawkins-Gignac Foundation after the deaths of his niece, OPP constable Laurie Hawkins, her husband Richard and their two young children, Cassandra and Jordan due to carbon monoxide poisoning in 2008.
“My niece Laurie and her husband Richard grew up in North Bay so this is especially meaningful being here today, and having my nephew and Laurie’s brother Derek, a first- class firefighter in North Bay here with us,” Mr. Gignac said. “We can’t change the past and bring Laurie, Richard, Cassie and Jordan back, but we can change the future by ensuring that what happened to our family never happens to another. The only way to do this is to make sure that every residence has at least one CSA approved carbon monoxide alarm installed.
“Laurie spent her whole career promoting public safety and I know she’d be smiling down on us today as her legacy continues,” Mr. Gignac continued.
IBC contributed 75 carbon monoxide alarms to the North Bay Fire and Emergency Services for local distribution. As part of their campaign to raise awareness about the need for carbon monoxide alarms in all homes with a fuel burning appliance or attached garage, IBC has so far donated 1,000 alarms to fire departments across Ontario and is donating an additional 1,500 units over the course of the year.
“Carbon monoxide is truly a silent killer. We cannot see it and we cannot smell it,” said Fire Chief Jason Whiteley of North Bay Fire and Emergency Services.
“People in our community can sleep soundly knowing that they and their families are protected, thanks to the donation of carbon monoxide alarms by IBC and the Hawkins-Gignac Foundation. The alarms will be used as part of our loaner program in addition to being given to those who are in need. North Bay Fire and Emergency Services want to take this opportunity to remind residents their first line of defense is to properly maintain their gas appliances following manufacturer’s instructions and to install and test carbon monoxide alarms in their homes.”
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 carbon monoxide alarms in their home,” observed Kim Donaldson, Vice-President Ontario, IBC. “Events like today help create awareness about the steps Ontarians can take to protect themselves and their families.”
Ontario law requires that carbon monoxide alarms be installed in all residential dwellings that contain at least one fuel-burning appliance (e.g., gas water heater or gas furnace), fireplace or an attached garage.
For more information, visit www.ibc.ca.
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