Backgrounder
The Need for Mandatory Detectors
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is produced by equipment that burns fuel for heat or energy, including space heaters, furnaces, barbecues and cars. Chimneys or vents that are dirty or plugged may create unsafe levels of CO.
It is often called “the silent killer”, because it gives no clear warning to its victims. CO is an invisible gas with no taste or smell.
Recent statistics demonstrate the danger of Carbon Monoxide including:
- Carbon monoxide is the number one cause of accidental poisoning deaths in North America.
- Close to 15% of the incidents investigated by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority at residential locations involve CO.
- A British Columbia health organization estimated that each year 13,000 Canadians experience some level of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- In Ontario, each month, close to 150 people are seen in an emergency department for carbon monoxide poisoning.
- During the 2007/08 fiscal year, in Ontario, there were a total of 1,782 emergency department visits and 102 hospitalizations for carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
According to a national Ipsos-Reid – Kidde Canada Home Safety Poll from February 2008:
- 60% of Canadians do not have a CO alarm
- 15% believe CO alarms last forever;
- 18% believe CO alarms are only needed if you have a gas furnace
- 44% do not have their heating or other combustion systems checked annually
- 26% do not think they have to replace CO alarms every 5-7 years
HAWKINS-GIGNAC FOUNDATION FOR CO EDUCATION
PRINCIPLES, OBJECTIVES AND VALUES
John Gignac is the Uncle of Laurie Hawkins. A newly retired firefighter in Brantford Ontario, John and his wife Sandra have launched The Hawkins-Gignac Foundation for CO Education, a grassroots carbon monoxide education campaign to warn all Canadians about the dangers of CO.
Central to their message is for Canadians to protect themselves by installing CO alarms in their homes. John, like his niece, is no stranger to promoting and teaching safety practises. Over his last 20 years of service, he was responsible for training the fire service on the intricacies of hazardous workplace materials. Since serving notice of his intent to educate Canadians on the dangers of CO, John has already completed numerous presentations and talks to local schools, church and community groups, and fire departments.
Compassionate organizations such as Lowe’s Canada, Duracell, Kidde Canada and Wendy’s have stepped forth to offer the Foundation their ongoing support.
The Foundation reminds Ontarians and all Canadians to:
- Have heating systems and vents checked annually by a professional;
- Install carbon monoxide alarms on every level of a home, especially outside bedrooms;
- Replace any CO alarms that are more than 5-7 years old.
The Hawkins-Gignac Foundation will also raise funds for the purchase of CO alarms that will be donated to needy or at risk families through local fire departments.
