CO Awareness Week - TSSA and OFMEM Take on the Silent Killer
Nov 01, 2018, 12:00 ET
TORONTO, Nov. 1, 2018 /CNW/ - The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) and its safety partners, including the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management (OFMEM) and local fire services, are teaming up to take on The Silent Killer. If that sounds like a scene out of Hollywood-thriller, you're not far off.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is known as 'The Silent Killer' because you can't see it, taste it or smell it. It is a leading cause of accidental deaths and poisonings in Ontario every year – with over 65% of CO incidents occurring in the home.
TSSA and the OFMEM want you to keep the Silent Killer at bay – and the best way to do so is by knowing the sources, symptoms and actions to take.
Protect yourself and your loved ones.
- Be Aware of the Hazard. CO is a highly poisonous gas. The tricky thing is it's non-irritating and it displaces oxygen in the body, causing the nervous system to completely shut down.
- Eliminate CO at the Source. Have a TSSA-certified fuel technician inspect and maintain your fuel-burning appliances every year. It is the smart thing to do and it is your responsibility. For a list of TSSA-registered contractors, visit cosafety.ca.
- Install Certified CO Alarms in Your Home. If your home has a fuel-burning appliance or an attached garage, you must have a working CO alarm adjacent to each sleeping area. For added protection, install an alarm on every floor and remember to regularly test the alarm(s) and replace batteries.
- Know the Symptoms of CO Poisoning. They are like the flu – nausea, headache, burning eyes, confusion and drowsiness – except there is no fever. If they appear, immediately get everyone, including pets, outside to fresh air and call 911 or your local fire department.
Commemorating CO Awareness Week – November 1-7
Teaming up with North Bay Fire & Emergency Services and Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service, CO Safety Comes to Life.
TSSA's CO Safety Home, a full-scale 'house on wheels', showcases carbon monoxide safety in the home. Complete with augmented reality, the house offers visitors an immersive and engaging experience to learn about the potential CO sources in the home, symptoms of CO poisoning, and how to mitigate the risks.
The Silent Killer, TSSA's heart-pounding, 3D, stereoscopic virtual reality (VR) experience, based on its award-winning Silent Killer video, thrills visitors with important CO safety messages that stick.
- Saturday, November 3rd, North Bay Fire & Emergency Services at Northgate Shopping Centre
- Friday, November 9th, Vaughan Fire and Rescue
Service at Vaughan Mills
Stay warm and safe this season – and stay clear of The Silent Killer.
About TSSA
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is one of Ontario's public safety regulators mandated by the Government of Ontario to enforce provincial safety regulations and enhance public safety. Throughout Ontario, TSSA regulates the safety of amusement devices, boilers and pressure vessels, elevating devices, fuels, operating engineers, ski lifts, and upholstered and stuffed articles. Its range of safety services include public education and consumer information, certification, licensing and registration, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, safety management consultation, and enforcement and prosecution activities. The organization's vision is to be a valued advocate and recognized authority in public safety.
SOURCE Technical Standards and Safety Authority
For further information: Steve Robinson, Spokesperson, Technical Standards and Safety Authority, Telephone: 1-877-682-8772, Email: media@tssa.org; For more information on the Technical Standards and Safety Authority, please visit www.tssa.org.
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