Did you know that 65% of fuels-related incidents in Ontario are attributed to issues such as substandard installation of fuel-burning appliances and poor maintenance practices?
Safety is a right, not a compromise. As we mark World Consumer Rights Day, TSSA wants to remind Ontarians about what you can do to protect yourself and loved ones from fraudulent fuels workers, otherwise known as “trunk slammers.”
In Ontario, furnaces and fuel-fired appliances must be installed and serviced by TSSA-registered contractors who employ certified and trained gas technicians. Without proper certifications and registrations, identifying and rectifying issues caused by trunk slammers can be challenging. Moreover, their work is not audited for safety compliance, potentially exposing consumers to severe consequences, such as carbon monoxide poisoning.
Spotting the Signs of Trunk Slammers
When seeking a contractor for fuels work, watch out for these red flags:
- Ontario prohibits the sale of furnaces and water heaters by door-to-door salespeople unless the homeowner has requested this or there is already a contract in place. Exercise caution when approached in this manner.
- Be cautious of businesses offering rebates and incentives supposedly approved by the government or utility companies. These may be baiting tactics. Always verify such offers directly from the source to avoid scams.
- Legitimate contractors seldom provide quotes over the phone without assessing the job on-site, nor do they demand a significant cash advance upfront. Beware of those pressuring you into making purchase decisions on the spot.
Be wary if someone claiming to be a TSSA inspector tries to sell furnaces, water heaters, or energy services. TSSA inspectors do not sell products or services and do not go door-to-door. TSSA inspectors only attend residential locations as part of an official incident investigation or when a homeowner requests a visit.
Tools to Protect Yourself from Trunk Slammers
Remember that you can take proactive steps to guard against trunk slammers when you are planning fuels work in your home:
- Verify Credentials: Qualified fuels contractors readily provide a full business address, telephone number, and customer references. Before engaging fuels contractors, use the "Look up a fuels contractor" tool on tssa.org to verify their credentials.
- Report Fraud: When you come across a fraudulent fuels worker, report them to TSSA by sending an email to: fuels_technical_services@tssa.org. As a regulator, TSSA is committed to investigating and taking legal action against unlawful operators. Your action can save others from fuels scams.
- Explore Resources: Visit TSSA’s website for additional resources and real-life scammer stories. These firsthand experiences offer invaluable insights for combating fuels scammers.
Stay fuels wise by educating yourself about trunk slammers, recognizing red flags and promptly reporting any suspicious fuels activity to TSSA.
Remember, safety is right, not a compromise.
Technical Standards and Safety Authority Launches Public Education Campaign to Combat Fraudulent Fuels Workers
Toronto, ON, March 1, 2024 – Fraudulent fuels workers, commonly referred to as ‘trunk slammers’, pose a significant threat to the safety of Ontarians by performing services at a reduced rate using substandard and unsafe materials. This Fraud Prevention Month, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is launching its fifth Trunk Slammers Awareness and Enforcement Program to urge Ontarians to hire registered and certified fuels contractors, understand how to distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate fuels contractors and remain vigilant against fuels scammers by reporting them to TSSA.
As both data and incidents show, it is imperative for homeowners to engage legitimate fuels professionals for fuels-related work. According to TSSA’s historical data, approximately 65% of fuels-related incidents were caused by issues including substandard installation of fuel-burning appliances and poor maintenance practices. Furthermore, TSSA's most recent public safety report highlights an incident where improper installation of fuels appliances resulted in an explosion, injuring two Ontarians.
Under Ontario law, furnaces and fuels-fired appliances must be maintained by TSSA-registered contractors. All registered contractors are required to hire TSSA certified gas technicians who have extensive training and are qualified to perform fuels work safely. With some 9,000 registered fuels contractors and 78,000 certified professionals across the province, consumers have numerous legitimate options for fuels-related services.
As trunk slammers lack certification or registration with TSSA, neither their work, equipment nor qualifications are audited and verified by TSSA. Hiring these fuels scammers can lead to serious risks, including carbon monoxide poisoning and other harmful consequences.
“Safety is a right, not a compromise. Hiring registered fuels contractors is the right thing to do to keep you and your loved ones safe,” said Kelly Hart, Director of TSSA's Fuels Safety Program. “Before engaging any fuels contractor, always verify the contractor’s registration status using the convenient and easy-to-use lookup tool on our website.”
Hart continued, “Fuels scams are a serious issue. When you are approached by fraudulent fuels workers, report them to TSSA. TSSA is committed to investigating these reports and taking legal action against unlawful players. Reporting illegal workers is a proactive step in saving others from these scams.”
TSSA’s online resources offer tailored safety content aimed at combating fuels scams. These include a series of videos featuring practical guides from TSSA investigator about legitimate fuels workers and trunk slammers, which will be released throughout the month.
Take these steps to protect yourselves from fraudulent fuels workers:
Stay informed about trunk slammers during this Fraud Prevention Month by following TSSA on Facebook, LinkedIn and X.
-30-
For more information, please contact:
Alexandra Campbell Vice President, Communications and Stakeholder Relations
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Telephone: 416-734-6227
Email: media@tssa.org
A reminder on the importance of using a personal carbon monoxide monitor when entering a building with a suspected incident
In light of an incident where first responders were exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide (CO), the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) reminds all fuel contractors of the importance of using a personal CO monitor when entering a building with a suspected incident.
TSSA investigated an incident involving a fatality where the fuel appliance was producing very high levels of CO (more than 60,000 parts per million). When first responders entered the building, they suffered CO poisoning shortly after.
The last responder to enter the building had a personal CO monitor that alarmed them, and he immediately ordered everyone to evacuate. This action limited the effects of the CO exposure, allowing them to exit safely.
As CO is undetectable and given this near miss, TSSA strongly advises that crews have at least one personal CO monitor for use when entering a building with an incident.
TORONTO, ON, January 15, 2024 – Carbon monoxide (CO) continues to be a leading cause of accidental poisoning in Ontario. With approximately 65% of all CO incidents occurring in people’s homes, TSSA urges everyone to be ‘WinterWise’ this season and learn about how they can protect themselves against this invisible, odourless and highly poisonous gas - often dubbed the ‘Silent Killer’.
As part of the Technical Standards and Safety Authority’s (TSSA’s) ongoing efforts to build CO awareness in communities across Ontario, residents in the Hamilton and Niagara region will be receiving a copy of an important safety booklet – WinterWise – this week. This campaign, together with the ongoing public education efforts of community fire and emergency services departments, provides vital information to assist residents in reducing CO risks in their homes.
“During the cold weather months there’s naturally an increased use of furnaces and fireplaces, and even though these fuel-burning appliances may be safely designed, they can emit deadly levels of CO gas if not properly installed, inspected and maintained regularly,” says Kelly Hart, TSSA’s Director of Fuels Safety. “While CO presents serious hazards, residents can essentially eliminate any potential harm, by taking these two important steps,” adds Hart.
- Have all fuel-burning appliances inspected annually through the services of a TSSA-registered fuel contractor o to find a TSSA-registered contractor near you use the Find A Registered Fuels Contractor Tool at cosafety.ca.
- Install certified CO alarms in your home, regularly test and replace them in accordance with manufacturer’s instruction.
“It’s also important to remember to never use any fuel-burning appliances indoors that are specifically designed and approved for outdoor use only,” adds Hart.
Residents are encouraged to learn more about CO and other seasonal safety topics by reading and sharing the information in the WinterWise booklet and by visiting COsafety.ca – a website dedicated to providing critical CO safety information.
TSSA continues to partner with local fire and emergency services and other safety-minded organizations to deliver critical CO safety information to residents in communities across Ontario. The attached backgrounder provides additional information on carbon monoxide.
Beat the Silent Killer. Take Action. Think Safe.
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, and ski lifts. Its range of safety services include public education and consumer information, certification, licensing and registration, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, safety management consultation, compliance support and enforcement and prosecution activities. The organization’s vision is to be a valued advocate and recognized authority in public safety.
-30-
For more information or to arrange media availability, please contact:
Alexandra Campbell
Vice President, Communications, Stakeholder Engagement and Customer Service
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Telephone: 416-734-6227
email: media@tssa.org
For more information on the Technical Standards and Safety Authority, please visit www.tssa.org/
TORONTO, ON, January 15, 2024 – Carbon monoxide (CO) continues to be a leading cause of accidental poisoning in Ontario. With approximately 65% of all CO incidents occurring in people’s homes, TSSA urges everyone to be ‘WinterWise’ this season and learn about how they can protect themselves against this invisible, odourless and highly poisonous gas - often dubbed the ‘Silent Killer’.
As part of the Technical Standards and Safety Authority’s (TSSA’s) ongoing efforts to build CO awareness in communities across Ontario, residents in Northern Ontario will be receiving a copy of an important safety booklet – WinterWise – this week. This campaign, together with the ongoing public education efforts of community fire and emergency services departments, provides vital information to assist residents in reducing CO risks in their homes.
“During the cold weather months there’s naturally an increased use of furnaces and fireplaces, and even though these fuel-burning appliances may be safely designed, they can emit deadly levels of CO gas if not properly installed, inspected and maintained regularly,” says Kelly Hart, TSSA’s Director of Fuels Safety. “While CO presents serious hazards, residents can essentially eliminate any potential harm, by taking these two important steps,” adds Hart.
- Have all fuel-burning appliances inspected annually through the services of a TSSA-registered fuel contractor o to find a TSSA-registered contractor near you use the Find A Registered Fuels Contractor Tool at cosafety.ca.
Install certified CO alarms in your home, regularly test and replace them in accordance with manufacturer’s instruction.
“It’s also important to remember to never use any fuel-burning appliances indoors that are specifically designed and approved for outdoor use only,” adds Hart.
Residents are encouraged to learn more about CO and other seasonal safety topics by reading and sharing the information in the WinterWise booklet and by visiting COsafety.ca – a website dedicated to providing critical CO safety information.
TSSA continues to partner with local fire and emergency services and other safety-minded organizations to deliver critical CO safety information to residents in communities across Ontario. The attached backgrounder provides additional information on carbon monoxide.
Beat the Silent Killer. Take Action. Think Safe.
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, and ski lifts. Its range of safety services include public education and consumer information, certification, licensing and registration, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, safety management consultation, compliance support and enforcement and prosecution activities. The organization’s vision is to be a valued advocate and recognized authority in public safety.
-30-
For more information or to arrange media availability, please contact:
Alexandra Campbell
Vice President, Communications, Stakeholder Engagement and Customer Service
Technical Standards and Safety Authority
Telephone: 416-734-6227
email: media@tssa.org
For more information on the Technical Standards and Safety Authority, please visit www.tssa.org/