Technical Standards Safety Authority Unveils CO Safety House and uses Augmented Reality to Educate the Public

Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week, November 1 – 7, 2017

TORONTO, Nov. 6, 2017 /CNW/ - The Technical Standards Safety Authority (TSSA) unveiled its full-scale model Carbon Monoxide (CO) Safety House at Toronto Fire Services' Station 332 today as part of Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week, which runs from November 1 to 7, 2017.  This year the TSSA once again partnered with the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management (OFMEM) in ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of CO exposure and poisoning, and the importance of having working carbon monoxide alarms.

The CO Safety House features real fuel-burning appliances commonly found in homes and uses Augmented Reality to engage participants through a visually impactful and interactive experience to highlight CO risks and how to avoid them.

The TSSA will be showcasing the CO Safety House at major home shows across Ontario to raise awareness about the sources of carbon monoxide in the home and how it can be prevented by having appliances inspected annually by TSSA-certified fuel technicians.

QUOTES

"By engaging participants in an interactive experience, we hope to raise awareness and highlight the importance of annual inspections of fuel-burning appliances by TSSA-certified fuel technicians. Annual inspections are the best way to ensure those appliances are working properly and safely, and not producing unsafe levels of deadly carbon monoxide which puts you and your family at risk."

— David Scriven, Acting President and Chief Executive Officer, TSSA

"It's the law in Ontario to have working carbon monoxide alarms if you have a fuel-burning appliance such as a gas furnace or wood fireplace, or an attached garage. Working carbon monoxide alarms are the best defense for you and your loved ones against the presence of deadly carbon monoxide. I urge all Ontarians to make sure they install and maintain working carbon monoxide alarms for their own safety."

— Ross Nichols, Ontario Fire Marshal and Chief, Emergency Management

QUICK FACTS

• Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week runs from November 1 to 7.
• Carbon monoxide alarms are required in any home that has a fuel-burning appliance or attached garage.
• Over 65% of carbon monoxide deaths and injuries in Ontario occur in homes.
• Carbon monoxide is colourless, odourless and tasteless.
• Symptoms of CO poisoning include flu-like symptoms without a fever.
• Ensure all fuel-burning appliances and vents in your home are inspected annually; find a registered contractor at COsafety.ca.

LEARN MORE

Find more information on CO alarms and CO prevention at www.COSafety.ca and on the OFMEM Web site at www.ontario.ca/firemarshal.

ontario.ca/safety-news
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SOURCE Office of the Fire Marshal - Public Education

Steve Robinson, TSSA, Telephone: [phone]; Cell: 416-262-0082, E-mail: [email protected]; Tony Pacheco, Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management, Telephone: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]

Related Links

www.firesafetycouncil.com