IBC backs Ontario bill to require CO detectors in homes

The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) has thrown its support behind an Ontario bill that would make carbon monoxide detectors mandatory in homes across the province.

Bill 77 expands the scope of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 so that it covers measures relating to the presence of unsafe levels of carbon monoxide, in addition to fire safety. The bill was tabled by Progressive Conservative MPP Ernie Hardeman on May 29, 2013, the motion to arrange proceedings occurred on Oct. 3. and debate in the Ontario legislature during second reading is scheduled for Oct. 31.

“In 2006, we applauded the move to make smoke detectors mandatory on every storey as well as outside all sleeping areas of homes,” Ralph Palumbo, IBC’s vice president, Ontario, said in a press release Monday. “Since then, we have been encouraging consumers to also purchase carbon monoxide detectors.”

As a member of the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council, IBC is committed to increasing awareness and understanding regarding the dangers of fire and other household hazards, including carbon monoxide.

Palumbo noted that IBC believes the bill “will not only raise awareness of the risks associated with carbon monoxide, but more importantly, help prevent future tragedies from occurring.”

Added Hardeman, “We have lost too many Ontarians to carbon monoxide poisoning because they didn’t have a functioning carbon monoxide detector in their home.”