Carbon monoxide awareness
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Members of the Tillsonburg District Real Estate Board once again collaborated with Tillsonburg Fire and Rescue Services to host a Carbon Monoxide Awareness event Friday and Saturday at The Town Centre mall.
“It is Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week,” said David Bennett, TDREB. “We’re just trying to raise awareness and make sure that everyone has functional and operational carbon monoxide detectors in their home.
“We (TDREB) are about homes, but we are about safety in the homes too,” said Bennett. “So I think it was just a natural fit, and a partnership with the fire department.”
It’s been an annual event, said Linda Coldham, TDREB, since The Hawkins Gignac Act passed in November 2013.
“The first year we did it at the fire hall,” said Coldham.
“I think it’s been five years now in the mall,” Bennett nodded. “This way, there’s people coming by, it’s easily accessible and they don’t have to make a specific trip to the fire department. Attendance was good this weekend.”
Draws for 14 carbon monoxide alarms, generously donated by sponsors, were held at the event. Children could meet Sparky, Tillsonburg Fire and Rescue Services’ mascot, and firefighters who were on site 4-7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday.
“There’s also a colouring contest for kids to win various prizes, too,” said Bennett.
Raising awareness, said firefighter Dave Metselaar, includes reminding people to check replacement dates.
“People just have to be aware of when they expire,” said Metselaar. “The life of expectancy of carbon monoxide detectors. It used to be five (years), but most of them are 10 now.”
“It depends on the manufacturer,” nodded firefighter Jadie Scaman. “Five to seven to 10 years.”
“And ensure that the batteries are good in them,” said Bennett.
Some manufacturers are making detectors with 10-year lithium batteries, said Metselaar, which for a bit more money gives an ‘end of life’ power supply.
“One thing we’d like to see, going forward, is a donation from the Board and the Board sponsorship to the fire department, so the fire department is able to get the carbon monoxide detectors into the homes which need it the most,” said Bennett. “They are going to homes which may not otherwise have them.”
“That was a great idea,” said Metselaar.
cabbott@postmedia.com
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