Township of Blandford-Blenheim Council received news that the community will receive 84 Kidde Canada combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms during its regular meeting on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
Fire Chief Drew Davidson, Director of Protective Services, told Council the alarms are being distributed through Enbridge Gas Ontario’s 2026 Safe Community Project Zero campaign.
Established in 2009, Project Zero aims to bring fire- and carbon monoxide-related deaths in Ontario down to zero through education and the distribution of free alarms to vulnerable residents.
Over the past 17 years, the program has provided more than 130,000 alarms to Ontario fire departments, representing an investment of almost $4 million in public safety.
Carbon monoxide is a toxic, odourless gas that is created by the incomplete combustion of many types of common fuels such as gasoline, propane, natural gas, and oil. When properly installed and maintained, combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms can provide early warning to safely escape from a house fire or carbon monoxide exposure.
During the meeting, Davidson told Council that he and the rest of the department were happy to be selected to participate in the Project Zero campaign and are looking forward to distributing them.
“We’re fortunate to be the recipient of 84 alarms at an approximate value of over $8,000 to hand out to the community,” he said. “We know how important working alarms are, especially when you’re using a generator; we found that out during the last power outage. So we’re very pleased to receive these and we can’t wait to get them out in the community.”
Once the alarms come in, the department intends to distribute them free of charge through several community-based initiatives.
The plan is to work alongside the township’s food bank to identify households requiring assistance and help ensure participating homes have at least three working alarms. The department is also looking to reintroduce and promote its alarm exchange program, which allows residents to replace expired or non-functioning alarms.
As changes to the Ontario Fire Code took effect on January 1 of this year, homes with a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace or attached garage, are now required to have carbon monoxide alarms adjacent to sleeping areas and on every storey.
Noting that purchasing the required number of alarms for a household can be costly, the department will prioritize residents who are considered to be at a higher risk, including seniors, people with disabilities and households experiencing financial challenges.
“These are not cheap and sometimes people have to make decisions, due to finances, where to put their money, and if we can help people have this and be safe, then we all win,” said Davidson.
Fire personnel will also use the campaign as an opportunity to reinforce the importance of alarm placement, regular testing, replacement requirements and having a practiced home escape plan.
Councillor Nancy Demarest later asked how fair the 84 alarms will go and whether it will meet the immediate concern within the community.
Davidson said that each of the Township’s four fire stations get about 20 alarms a year to hand out if needed when out on calls.
“That’s about 80 that we as a township give out, plus another 80 now, so that will go a long way,” he replied.
Mayor Mark Peterson also commented, saying he was happy to hear the department would be working alongside the food bank to distribute the alarms.
“I know the last time you had a bunch, you donated a pile to the food bank and I remember handing them out to several people. And you’re absolutely right, when you’re in tough times, you’re not going to spend the money on these kinds of things,” he said. “So to be able to put those alarms in our food bank supplies to people, that fills a great need. Thank you very much and I look forward to having some for the food bank again.”
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
