Creating awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide
Last year there were a record number of fire deaths in Ontario and many were due to a lack of working smoke or carbon monoxide alarms.
The Markstay-Warren Fire Department and Enbridge Gas are working together to improve home safety and bring fire and carbon monoxide deaths down the zero.
Fire Chief Mark Whynott said raising public awareness about the fact that working smoke/carbon monoxide alarms are law and save lives is critical.
Whynott points to the 133 fire deaths in Ontario last year.
"The biggest part of that number the 133 were because of non-existing or non-working smoke and co alarms in someone's home,” he said.
“And they would have had a chance to get out and still be here today had those units had a smoke alarm in them."
Enbridge recently gave the Markstay-Warren 120 combination smoke/CO alarms to be distributed in the community as part of its Safe Community Project Zero campaign.
"Lots of people have them in their house but they might be 20 years old and no longer in great working condition," said Jessica Gibson from Enbridge.
The Markstay Warren Fire Department is a large volunteer force that covers a geographic area of almost 500 square kilometres. Mayor Ned Whynott said a lot of people don’t know the importance of CO alarms.
"That is the silent killer,” Whynott said.
“So it's important for the fire department to get out and there are educate our residents on the importance of carbon monoxide units."
In 2022, Enbridge distributed combination smoke/CO detectors to 11 communities in its northeast region, from Sault Ste. Marie to Parry Sound to north to Cobalt.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Odds and ends: Here are some law changes Liberals plan to put in the budget bill
The 2023 federal budget released this week includes a series of affordability measures, tax changes, and major spends on health care and the clean economy. But, tucked into the 255-page document are a series of smaller items you may have missed.

Here are the ways the budget impacts you: From grocery bills to small business credit card fees
The federal government unveiled its spring budget Tuesday, with a clean economy as the centrepiece, and detailing targeted measures to help Canadians deal with still-high inflation.
Meet the Ontario stats prof who claims he can’t stop beating Roll Up To Win
A statistics professor at the University of Waterloo discusses how he continues to beat the Roll Up To Win contest at Tim Hortons.
These Canadian housing markets have home prices below the national average
Home prices have fallen below the national average in 14-out-of-20 regional housing markets, according to a report by Zoocasa. Saint John, N.B., took the top place for the most affordable region, with an average home price of $268,400.
Nashville shooting highlights security at private schools
Around the U.S., private schools generally do not face as many requirements as public schools for developing security plans. The Nashville shooting that killed three children and three school employees is highlighting that issue.
Contracting COVID-19 while pregnant could lead to a higher risk of obesity for the child: study
A small study is presenting evidence suggesting a strange possible outcome of a COVID-19 infection during pregnancy: higher risk of obesity for the child.
With plans for a new grocery rebate, how would you spend this money? Let us know
Along with improving access to health care and investing in a clean economy, the 2023 federal budget also includes plans for a one-time 'grocery rebate.' If you're hoping to apply for this rebate, CTVNews.ca wants to hear from you.
Walmart and Costco in Canada not making food inflation worse, experts say
Experts say the Canadian presence of American retail giants such as Walmart and Costco isn't likely to blame for rising grocery prices. That's despite Canadian grocery chain executives having pushed for MPs to question those retailers as part of their study on food inflation.
WATCH | U.S. and South Korea send thousands of troops and 23-ton vehicles to practice beach assault
U.S. Marine forces have been flexing their muscles during assault drills with South Korea in a massive display of joint fire power.