Ramsey Resident - 2009 - February

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\. Public Safety New Law to Protect You and Your Family Carbon Monoxide Detectors Required in Every Dwelling Each year in the United States, unintentional carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning contributes to more than 2,000 deaths and sends another 15,200 people to hospital emergency rooms for treatment. In 2006, the Minnesota State Legislature passed a law requiring carbon monoxide alarms in all single-family homes alId multi-family dwellings. What is Carbon Monoxide and how does it affect me? Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, very toxic gas. Common sources of CO in homes include fuel-buming devices such as furnaces, gas stoves, water heaters, gas dryers, fireplaces, wood stoves and motor vehicles. Because it is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill you before you are aware it is in your home. At lower levels of exposure, CO causes mild effects that are often mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue. What's the new law? Effective January 1, 2007, all newly-constructed, single-falllily homes and multi-family dwelling units for which building permits were issued, on or after January L 2007, shall be equipped with approved car- bon monoxide alarms. Effective August 1, 2008, all existing single-family homes shall be equipped with approved CO alarms. Effective August 1, 2009 all multi-family dwelling units shall be provided with approved CO alarms. General Location Requirements: Every dwelling unit shall be equipped with a carbon monoxide alarm installed within ten feet of each room used for sleeping purposes. What do I do when the alarm sounds? Treat all alarms as real emergen- cies. Evacuate everyone from your home immediately, leaving the door Local Business? Time to Renew your Business License! Every year, all businesses operat- ing in the city of Ramsey must apply for a Business License (formerly the Business Registration Celiificate). The licensing information offers cru- cial data to police and fire responders: allowing them to respond quickly and efficiently in emergency situations. A business list is generated from our li- censing system which is used for busi- ness mailings. The business list is on our website and provides contact in- f0l111ation for individuals seeking re- ferrals to Ramsey businesses. Usually, renewals are mailed in November and processed in December: however, this year we are behind schedule. Expect to receive your renewal application by mail in January with a revised due date. Business License applications can be found on the city's website at www.ci.ramsey.mn.us/li censing .as p. For more information, call Jo Thieling at 763-433-9840. open for ventilation on your way out. Call 911 from a neighbor's home. Have your home inspected and your CO leak repaired by professionals. If you have additional questions, or need fllliher information on the carbon monoxide legislation, please contact the Ramsey Fire Depmiment at 763-427-4452. Free Car Seat INSPECTIONS for Anoka County Residents Safe Kids Anoka County offers several car seat clinics throughout the year for Anoka County residents to have their car seats inspected by trained techni- cians. Four out offive car seats are installed wrong! Get yours checked. Appointments are re- quired. February 10,2009 4:00 - 7:00 pm Andover Fire 1 Appointments: 763-767-4664 March 10,2009 4:00 - 7:00 pm Fridley Fire Dept Appointments: 763-572-3626 ,.~ Safe Kids@ Anoka County 4 www.ci.ramsey.mn.us