More to be done after mandatory CO detector law passes, says electrical firm
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 27, 2013 /CNW/ - A Mississauga electrical company that has been supporting a Brantford firefighter's drive for mandatory carbon monoxide (CO) detectors in Ontario says the new law passed by the Ontario legislature today will save lives.
"But we know there is still a lot of work to be done to raise awareness about this important home safety issue," said Tim Birnie, President, Birnie CurrentSAFE, which has been promoting CO awareness through a series of home safety seminars this year.
"We will continue to promote awareness through seminars, and by distributing free CO Detectors to everyone who books one of our no-fee, in-home electrical hazards assessments. Customers can book online at ismyhomesafe.ca."
Birnie congratulated retired Brantford firefighter John Gignac on his successful drive to have legislation passed in Ontario to make CO detectors mandatory. The Hawkins Gignac Act is named in memory of his niece, former OPP officer Laurie Hawkins who perished along with her husband, Richard, and their two children in a carbon monoxide accident in 2008.
Under the Hawkins-Gignac Act, homes or apartments built before Aug. 6, 2011 — when the Ontario Building Code was amended — don't have to have carbon monoxide detectors installed. The new bill would require a battery operated or plugged in detector for those residences. The new law applies to homes with a gas appliance or attached garage.
Birnie CurrentSAFE partnered with the Hawkins-Gignac Foundation in 2013 to promote awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide, an odourless, colourless gas that is a byproduct of combustion.
Birnie Electric, founded in 1967, is committed to promoting safety at work and at home. Birnie employs a service team with an average of 20 years' electrical experience. They are fully insured, background security checked and covered under WSIB. In addition to delivering the Birnie CurrentSAFE program to residential customers, Birnie Electric provides design/build, electrical contracting and datacomm services to developers and contractors as well as to commercial and industrial businesses throughout Ontario.
SOURCE: Birnie CurrentSAFE
Tim Birnie, President, Birnie CurrentSAFE
905-569-1818
[email protected]
ismyhomesafe.ca
Share this article