It's important the new smoke detectors in your home have new batteries and they're not outdated.
WOODSTOCK - It's Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week and firefighters are spreading awareness across the community.
John Gignac is a former firefighter and the Executive Director of the Hawkins-Gignac Foundation and he wants to make sure people are using the right equipment and that they are safe inside their home.
"This week I'm promoting carbon monoxide safety, as well as fire safety, I never forget that because I was a firefighter for 34 years, but really I'm promoting the new age detectors so that people go out and buy detectors that have sealed batteries."
Gignac's organization has played a huge role in the community for fire safety and prevention, commonly being associated with the Woodstock Fire Department.
He started the Hawkins-Gignac Foundation in 2008 after his niece, Laurie Hawkins, a former OPP officer in Woodstock, tragically died in a fire with her family. Hawkins and her family were residents of Woodstock and Gignac said the fire department has been very helpful getting the message out in the community.
Gignac says the Friendly City has become a lot more educated on fire safety since the tragedy.
"Woodstock happens to be probably one of the few communities that have really picked up the ball and I don't think there's too many that don't have good working CO alarms. So they pay attention to the law but they've been good people and the community helped me get the message passed out."
Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week runs from November 1-8th.

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