|
14
<br />LET'S TALK
<br />CARBON MONOXIDE
<br />(CPO) DETECTORS
<br />Many of our homes are now equipped with
<br />Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors. With the heating
<br />season approaching, you, your family or friends may
<br />find your CO detector sounding and not be sure how
<br />to react. Ramsey Fire Chief Dean Kapler offers the
<br />following information.
<br />Carbon Monoxide is a by- product of
<br />combustion. It's invisible, odorless and tasteless.
<br />Having the same consistency as normal air, it
<br />dissipates throughout the entire area of any space it
<br />enters. Unlike normal air, however, it is a poisonous
<br />gas that can be deadly at certain levels.
<br />Any appliance that burns fuel produces some
<br />CO. Natural gas cook stoves, hot water heaters and
<br />space heaters produce CO. So do automobiles and
<br />even cigarettes. When appliances are in good
<br />working order and automobile exhaust is well
<br />ventilated, the amount of CO entering your home
<br />should be minimal.
<br />Should your CO detector sound, remember
<br />this, the detector has noticed a level of CO higher
<br />than it considers normal. The level of "normal" in
<br />detectors is different from one brand to another. In
<br />most cases, the level at which detectors first sound
<br />is considered to be within a safe limit. Even so, if
<br />necessary, move everyone into fresh air, check to
<br />see if anyone has headaches, nausea, dizziness or
<br />feels faint. Should anyone show symptoms or if
<br />at any time you are unsure of what to do, CALL
<br />911. Emergency personnel will respond to your
<br />home.
<br />Fortunately, the incidents the Ramsey Fire
<br />Department has responded to involving CO detectors
<br />sounding have all been within safe to moderate levels
<br />of CO. But please remember to:
<br />• keep appliances in good working order
<br />and call your local gas company if you
<br />have any questions about appliances;
<br />• when warming up automobiles, either
<br />have them outside or have adequate
<br />ventilation;
<br />• make sure fireplaces are cleaned
<br />regularly and vented properly.
<br />If you are looking for a CO detector, there
<br />are many models available with various features. For
<br />example, digital models show the level of CO parts
<br />per million the detector is reading, which can help
<br />you decide what action is needed.
<br />COUNTY PROGRAM HELPS
<br />WORKERS WITH DISBILITIES
<br />Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities
<br />(MA -EPD). This program is administered locally by Anoka County
<br />and began July 1, 1999. The MA -EPD program is for certified persons
<br />with disabilities, under age 65, who are employed and meet asset
<br />limits and income guidelines.
<br />If a disabled worker is eligible, the state will pay for all, or
<br />part, of certain health care services. Examples of covered services
<br />include: inpatient hospital services, medical equipment and supplies,
<br />personal care services, physical, occupation and speech therapy, dental
<br />care, eyeglasses, physical and health clinic visits, and prescription
<br />drugs. Some qualifying persons with Medicare or other health
<br />insurance may have a portion of their insurance premium paid under
<br />certain circumstances.
<br />There are both asset limits and income guidelines for
<br />MA -EPD eligibility. The asset limit for MA -EPD is $20,000. Assets
<br />that do not count are: burial space and burial accounts of up to $1,500,
<br />homestead property, medical expense accounts set up through an
<br />employer, mobile home used as your primary home, one motor vehicle
<br />under certain conditions, retirement accounts, household goods, clothing
<br />and personal items, a spouse's assets.
<br />The income guidelines for participating in this program, free
<br />of charge, is an amount at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty
<br />Guidelines (FPG). In 1 999, this amount is $1,373 per month for a
<br />single person and $2,783 for a family of four (a spouse's income is not
<br />counted).
<br />If worker with disability has income above 200 percent of the
<br />FPG, he or she may still qualify for the program. However, there will
<br />be a monthly premium charge to participate. The cost of the premium
<br />is figured at 10 percent of the income over 200 percent of the FPG.
<br />To discuss the Medical Assistance for Employed Persons
<br />with Disabilities program, please call 612- 422 -7245.
<br />CHIMNEY MAINTENANCE
<br />Many residents of Ramsey burn wood during these rather cold
<br />and snowy months that are quickly sneaking up on us. Last spring we
<br />cleaned the ashes out of the stove leaving it ready for winter, or is it?
<br />First let's check the stove itself. Look at the outside, are there
<br />any cracks? Any discoloration? Now the inside, are the bricks cracked
<br />and crumbling? How is the grate, will it keep the wood from rolling
<br />out the door?
<br />Moving up, when was the chimney cleaned? If you cannot
<br />remember, have it cleaned. How old is it? If you do not know, have
<br />the lining checked. If doing this yourself, be careful; roofs this time of
<br />year become very slippery.
<br />As you prepare your home for winter, have the furnace checked
<br />and cleaned as well. This preventive maintenance, along with the
<br />other suggestions above, is critical to preventing fires in the home.
<br />As you grow older, you stand for more and fall for less. — Anonymous
<br />
|