Ex-firefighter wants provinces to make carbon monoxide detectors mandatory in homes

John Gignac lost four members of his family to carbon monoxide poisoning in 2008.

The retired firefighter doesn't want it to happen to anyone else, so he's travelling the country talking about the importance of carbon monoxide detectors.

Gignac's niece, Laurie, her husband and two children died from a gas fireplace carbon monoxide leak in Woodstock, Ontario.

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"It's like it happened yesterday. But I do believe the story is helping other Canadians," he told On The Coast host Stephen Quinn, adding he believes increased awareness is saving lives and fewer people are dying of carbon monoxide poisoning.

"In B.C., for example, 11 people a year are dying from carbon monoxide, and [there are] 52 hospital visits a year. It's something we need to do as soon as possible to prevent these tragedies."

In addition to raising awareness about the importance of carbon monoxide detectors, Gignac says it's time to change Canada's carbon monoxide detector laws.

He wants to convince every provincial government in Canada to pass a law requiring detectors in every home.

Ontario passed such a law in 2013, but B.C. lacks one. He hopes by speaking at the Fire Chiefs' Association of B.C. Conference, he can put pressure on the government.

"We are hoping by next year this time, B.C. will have a law, and it will be a great thing because it does reduce the death toll," he said.

Until then, Gignac says he urges people to get a carbon monoxide detector in their home, and suggests installing one on every floor of the home.

With files from CBC Radio One's On The Coast

To hear the full story, click the audio labelled: Ex-firefighter who lost 4 family members urges people to get carbon monoxide detectors