THUNDER BAY — More than 300 smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are available for free though the Safe Community Project Zero.
"Most fire fatalities happen when there isn't a working smoke alarm" said Kevin Anderson, division chief of fire prevention for Thunder Bay Fire Rescue (TBFR), "and of course, carbon monoxide is a silent killer."
The initiative is a partnership between Thunder Bay Fire Rescue (TBFR) and Enbridge Gas. It aims to get alarms into more homes to ensure they are protected from both possible fires and carbon monoxide exposure.
The program is run through the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council and will provide more than14,500 alarms across 75 communities in the province.
Having detectors in homes in crucial, said Anderson, "that's number one line of defence."
Anderson added the program is aimed at helping those who might not be able to afford to buy an alarm or have the ability to install one.
"If you are having trouble or have any questions, give us a call. If you don't think you can afford one in your own home, then give us a call, and we can help you out," he said.
In a news release from the City of Thunder Bay, Chief Paxton noted "persons who live in a home they own and who have legitimate physical, financial, or cognitive function limitations" would be eligible for assistance in installation.
