Insurance Industry supports Ontario's first Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week

TORONTO, Nov. 5, 2014 /CNW/ - Today, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) welcomed the launch of Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week in Ontario.

"Carbon monoxide is a colourless, tasteless, and odourless gas" said Ralph Palumbo, Vice-President, Ontario, IBC. "As part of the first-ever Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week, we are committed to increasing awareness and education to help protect people from this deadly threat."

IBC was a member of the Technical Advisory Committee that made recommendations regarding the regulation on CO detectors.  Over the past year, IBC has donated more than 2000 carbon monoxide detectors to fire departments in communities across Ontario, including London, Ottawa, Barrie, Burlington, and Kitchener. These fire departments have then distributed the detectors to local residents. Everyone is at risk - 88% of all homes have something that poses a carbon monoxide threat.

"This Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week, make sure that you, your friends and your family all equip your  respective homes with a CO detector. It's a step that could save a life," added Palumbo.

Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week is the result of the efforts of MPP Ernie Hardeman.  MPP Hardeman first introduced a private member's bill six years ago after a Woodstock family was found dead in their home from carbon monoxide poisoning. Mr. Hardeman has since advocated for the importance of CO detectors in every home.

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

About Insurance Bureau of Canada
Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is pleased to celebrate 50 years as a valuable resource for insurance information. Since 1964, IBC has been working with governments across Canada to make our communities safer, championing issues that directly affect Canadians and the property and casualty (P&C) insurance industry. IBC is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, car and business insurers. Its member companies represent 90% of the P&C insurance market in Canada. The P&C insurance industry employs over 118,600 Canadians, pays more than $7 billion in taxes to the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and has a total premium base of $48 billion.

To view media releases and other information, visit the media section of IBC's website at www.ibc.ca. Follow IBC on Twitter @InsuranceBureau and @IBC_Ontario or like us on Facebook.

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, Insurance Bureau of Canada, 416-362-2031 ext. 4312 (daytime), 647-384-9872 (after hours), [email protected]