NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF BARRIE
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Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week runs from Nov. 1-7 and Barrie Fire and Emergency Service (BFES) reminds residents to prevent carbon monoxide (CO) at home by getting all fuel-burning appliances inspected annually and ensuring there are working CO alarms outside of all sleeping areas.
“In Ontario, more than 65 per cent of injuries and deaths from CO occur in the home,” said Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Weber. “There is an increased risk of CO poisoning during the colder seasons when we spend more time indoors and increase our use of gas heaters, fireplaces, and other gadgets to beat the cold. Stay safe this season and make sure you get all fuel-burning appliances inspected by a registered contractor.”
The Ontario Fire Code requires all homes in Ontario with fuel-burning appliances, a fireplace or an attached garage to have working CO alarms outside of each sleeping area. Fuel-burning appliances can include furnaces, hot water heaters, gas or wood fireplaces, portable fuel-burning heaters and generators, barbeques or stoves.
Condos and apartment buildings with a service room, are required to have CO alarms installed in the service room and adjacent to each sleeping area of all homes above, below and beside the service room. In condo or apartment buildings that have a garage, CO alarms must be installed adjacent to each sleeping area of all homes above, below and beside the garage.
During Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week, Barrie Fire and Emergency Service is giving away free CO alarms to everyone who provides proof of having their furnace professionally cleaned this year.
Residents can visit Fire Station 1, 155 Dunlop Street West, or tag BFES on Facebook (@BarrieFireService) or Twitter (@Barrie_Fire) to show their proof and claim their alarm.
BFES is also hosting a CO Awareness Day at Lowes on Saturday, Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Firefighters will provide truck tours and answer questions about CO safety.
Visit the CO Awareness Week page via www.barrie.ca/FireAwarenessEvents for more information.
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