Insurance industry calls on Ontarians to install and check CO alarms

TORONTO, Nov. 2, 2015 /CNW/ - To help launch Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is once again urging families to protect themselves by installing a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm.

"Carbon monoxide is a colourless, tasteless and odourless gas that tragically kills 50 Ontarians every year and injures hundreds more," said Doug DeRabbie, Director, Government Relations, Ontario, IBC. "Equip your home with a CO alarm and help save a life."

As part of its commitment to raising awareness, IBC has donated more than 5,000 CO alarms to fire services in communities across Ontario. See the backgrounder below for a complete list of communities.

"It's important to remember that your home is likely not immune to the risk of carbon monoxide. Approximately 88% of all homes contain something that poses a carbon monoxide threat, so be sure to install CO alarms and check them regularly," added DeRabbie.

IBC was a member of the Technical Advisory Committee that made recommendations regarding the regulation of CO detectors. IBC is also an active member of the Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council and a proud partner of the Hawkins-Gignac Foundation for CO Education.

To learn more about the dangers of CO, view this helpful and informative video.

Backgrounder

As part of raising awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide, IBC has donated CO alarms to the following communities across Ontario:          

• Barrie
• Belleville
• Brockville
• Blyth
• Burlington
• Caledon
• Chatham-Kent
• Clarington
• Clinton
• Cobourg
• Cornwall
• Embro
• Fonthill
• Hamilton
• Huntsville
• Ingersoll
• Kanata
• Kingston
• Kitchener
• Lansdowne
• Leamington
• Lindsay
• Listowel
• London
• Minden
• Mount Forest
• Mount Hope
• Norfolk
• Norwich
• Oakville
• Ottawa
• Rossmore
• Sebringville
• St. Jacobs
• St. Thomas
• St. Marys
• Stirling
• Stratford
• Tillsonburg
• Trenton
• Tweed
• Walkerton
• Wasaga Beach
• West Lincoln
• West Perth
• Windsor
• Woodstock

About Insurance Bureau of Canada
Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, auto and business insurers. Its member companies make up 90% of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. For more than 50 years, IBC has worked with governments across the country to help make affordable home, auto and business insurance available for all Canadians. IBC supports the vision of consumers and governments trusting, valuing and supporting the private P&C insurance industry. It champions key issues and helps educate consumers on how best to protect their homes, cars, businesses and properties.

P&C insurance touches the lives of nearly every Canadian and plays a critical role in keeping businesses safe and the Canadian economy strong. It employs more than 118,000 Canadians, pays $6.7 billion in taxes and has a total premium base of $48 billion.  

For media releases and more information, visit IBC's Media Centre at www.ibc.ca. Follow IBC on Twitter @InsuranceBureau and @IBC_Ontario or like us on Facebook. If you have a question about home, auto or business insurance, contact IBC's Consumer Information Centre at 1-844-2ask-IBC.

If you require more information, IBC spokespeople are available to discuss the details in this media release.

SOURCE Insurance Bureau of Canada

To schedule an interview, please contact: Celyeste Power, Manager, Media Relations, 416-362-2031 ext. 4312, 647-384-9872, [email protected]