The Hawkins-Gignac Foundation has donated 90 carbon monoxide (CO) alarms to the Gravenhurst Fire Department.
The foundation was established in 2010 following the 2008 deaths of Laurie and Richard Hawkins and their children, Cassie and Jordan, from CO poisoning. It aims at educating people on the dangers of CO gas and raising funds to purchase CO alarms for distribution.
“We are extremely grateful to the Hawkins-Gignac Foundation for this generous gift,” said Jared Cayley, fire chief. “We will be handing out these alarms when we visit buildings and find they are without one.”
Town of Gravenhurst officials said the Fire Department applied to the foundation for the alarms and will distribute them during building inspections when they find properties without one.
Officials said CO is known as the silent killer because it is odourless, colourless, and tasteless, making it undetectable without a CO alarm.
According to the Ontario Fire Code, every property must have CO alarms on every storey of a home with a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or attached garage. Detectors are also required outside sleeping areas.
