October 25, 2016 - A carbon monoxide alarm has been credited for alerting a Dryden family of a deadly CO leak in their home yesterday. Four people, including three children, required treatment in hospital after a CO alarm alerted the children's mother that there was a problem in the residence.

Thunder Bay Fire Rescue reminds residents it is the law to install carbon monoxide alarms outside all sleeping areas if your home has a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace or an attached garage. 

"Thunder Bay Fire Rescue wants to make sure everyone is safe from CO and only a carbon monoxide alarm can alert you to its presence," said Deputy Fire Chief Greg Hankkio. 

The Ontario Fire Code was amended in 2014 to require CO alarms after the provincial government passed Bill 77 - the Hawkins Gignac Act. Bill 77 is named after OPP Constable Laurie Hawkins, who died, along with her husband and two children, in her Woodstock, ON, home from CO poisoning in 2008.

The Ontario Fire Code also requires that in condo and apartment buildings with a service room, CO alarms must be installed in the service room and outside of each sleeping area of all residences above, below and beside the service room. In condo or apartment buildings that have a garage, CO alarms must be installed outside of each sleeping area of all residences above, below and beside the garage.

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Contact:       Anthony Stokaluk, Public Education Officer - Thunder Bay Fire Rescue, 625-2802, cell 631-7033 or astokaluk@thunderbay.ca