TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - May 3, 2011) -
EDITOR'S NOTE: There is a photo associated with this release.
Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. (TSX:ENB) (NYSE:ENB), the Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council and 11 local fire departments will work together to deliver more than 3,500 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to Ontario homes.
Enbridge is donating $100,000 to expand the Project Zero program, a public education program aimed at reducing residential fire and carbon monoxide deaths to zero. The program was launched by Toronto Fire Services in 2009 and will now include 11 new Ontario communities in 2011, for a total of 21 Ontario municipalities since its launch.
Enbridge Gas Distribution supported the inaugural launch in Toronto in 2009. This year's donation will allow more than 3,500 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to be installed in Ontario homes in Collingwood, Grimsby, Kemptville, Mississauga, Newmarket, Pembroke, Peterborough, Smiths Falls, St. Catharines, Vaughan and Welland.
"It is essential for every home in Ontario to have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. These life saving devices alert occupants to the presence of smoke or deadly carbon monoxide gas, giving them time to get out safely," said Fire Marshal Ted Wieclawek. "We are delighted to be a partner in this life saving initiative."
"We're thrilled to be able to help expand Project Zero to an additional 11 municipalities in Ontario this year," said Jamie Milner, Vice President, Enbridge Gas Distribution. "This complements our ongoing communication about the importance of properly maintaining fuel burning equipment and installing a carbon monoxide alarm."
The alarms will be distributed to homes in neighbourhoods where the number of residential fires and fire-related deaths and injuries have been higher than average. During 2010, 84 people died as a result of fires in Ontario and 75 of those deaths resulted from residential fires.
In Ontario, it is the law that every home must have a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas. While carbon monoxide alarms are not currently legislated in Ontario, they are highly recommended by the Ontario Fire Marshal. Combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, when properly installed and maintained 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. Carbon monoxide alarms are recommended as a second line of defense to protect against the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.
About the Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council
The Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council (Council) is a registered charity established in 1993 with a mission to help create "a world where no one is hurt by fire." The Council, chaired by the Ontario Fire Marshal and supported by the Office of the Fire Marshal, operates at arm's length from the government and promotes fire prevention and public education through sponsorships and partnerships with various groups and individuals with an interest in public safety.
About Enbridge
Enbridge delivers more than the energy people count on, we deliver on our promise to help make communities better places to live.
Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. is Canada's largest natural gas distribution company. It is owned by Enbridge Inc., a Canadian-based leader in energy transportation and distribution and one of the 2010 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations. Enbridge Inc. has been selected as one of Canada's Greenest Employers for 2011 and is one of Canada's Top 100 Employers. Enbridge Gas Distribution and its affiliates distribute natural gas to about 1.9 million customers in Ontario, Quebec, New York State and New Brunswick. For more information visit www.enbridgegas.com.
To view a photo of the cheque presentation, click the follow link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/projectzero1.jpg
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