TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - May 28, 2015) -

Editor's Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.

As enforcement of the new mandatory carbon monoxide alarm law comes into effect this Spring, Enbridge Gas Distribution ("Enbridge") is partnering with the Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council to help fire departments across the province reduce the number of fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths to zero.

Through the Project Zero public education campaign, Enbridge will help fund 3,330 combination carbon monoxide and fire alarms for residents in 15 Ontario municipalities. The Project Assist program will help fund new firefighting training programs for 20 Ontario fire departments in the various communities where Enbridge operates. This year, Enbridge invested $100,000 in Project Zero and $100,000 in Project Assist.

"Enbridge is proud to support Ontario firefighters who share in our commitment to help keep our communities safe," said Jim Sanders, Vice President of Engineering and Integrity at Enbridge Gas Distribution.

"With carbon monoxide alarms now mandatory in all homes, Enbridge is ever more committed to safety and assisting communities to comply with the new law to help prevent injuries and deaths due to carbon monoxide exposure. This partnership will help educate customers about the importance of installing a combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm as well as properly maintaining fuel-burning equipment."

Since they began in 2009 and 2012, Project Zero and Project Assist have reached a number of Ontario communities across the province, with the Project Zero program supporting municipalities 79 different times and the Project Assist program 80 times.

FACTS

• More than 50 people die each year from CO poisoning in Canada, including an average of 11 people per year in Ontario*. 
   
• A new law amended the Ontario Fire Code in October 2014 to ensure that every home and residential building must have a working carbon monoxide alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas, with compliance required by April 2015, and October 2015 for multi-residential buildings with more than six suites. 
   
• When properly installed and maintained, combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms help provide the early warning that is needed to safely escape from a house fire or carbon monoxide exposure. 
   
• Carbon monoxide is a toxic, odourless gas that is a by-product of incomplete combustion of many types of common fuels. It is important that all fuel-burning equipment be properly maintained to prevent carbon monoxide buildup. Carbon monoxide alarms are recommended as a second line of defense to protect against the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. 
   
• Fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces and wood stoves should also have regular maintenance, and ventilation should be checked, ensuring it isn't blocked by snow or leaves.

About Enbridge Gas Distribution

Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. has a more than 165-year history and is Canada's largest natural gas distribution company. It is owned by Enbridge Inc., a Canadian-based leader in energy transportation and distribution. Enbridge has ranked as one of the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations for the past seven years and was also named as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers in 2015. Enbridge Gas Distribution and its affiliates distribute natural gas to over two million customers in Ontario, Quebec, New York State and New Brunswick. For more information, visit www.enbridgegas.com or follow us on Twitter @EnbridgeGasNews.

*Ministry of Community safety and Correctional Services/Parachute Canada

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