Ramsey Resident - 2002 - March/April

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LET'S TALK CARBON MONOMXIDE (CO) DETECTORS Many of our homes are now equipped with Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors. With the heating season upon us, you, your family or friends may find your CO detector sounding and not be sure how to react. Ramsey Fire Chief Dean Kapler offers the following information. Carbon Monoxide is a by- product of combustion. It's invisible, odorless and tasteless. Having the same consistency as normal air, it dissipates throughout the entire area of any space it enters. Unlike normal air, however, it is a poisonous gas that can be deadly at certain levels. Any appliance that bums fuel produces some CO. Natural gas cook stoves, hot water heaters and space heaters produce CO. So do automobiles and even cigarettes. When appliances are in good working order and automobile exhaust is well ventilated, the amount of CO entering your home should be minimal. Should your CO detector sound, remember this, the detector has noticed a level of CO higher than it considers normal. The level of "normal" in detectors is different from one brand to another. In most cases, the level at which detectors first sound is considered to be within a safe limit. Even so, if necessary, move everyone into fresh air, check to see if anyone has headaches, nausea, dizziness or feels faint. Should anyone show symptoms or if at any time you are unsure of what to do, CALL 911. Emergency personnel will respond to your home. Fortunately, the incidents the Ramsey Fire Department has responded to involving CO detectors sounding have all been within safe to moderate levels of CO. But please remember to: • keep appliances in good working order and call your local gas company if you have any questions about appliances; • when warming up automobiles, either have them outside or have adequate ventilation; • make sure fireplaces are cleaned regularly and vented properly. If you are looking for a CO detector, there are many models available with various features. For example, digital models show the level of CO parts per million the detector is reading, which can help you decide what action is needed. i f WHY AMERICANS SHOULD BUY RECYCLED Today, approximately 21% of our trash is recovered annually for recycling. Where do these millions of pounds ofrecyclables go after collection? Manufacturers use them to make new products — recycling's second step. The third and final step returns the new products to the marketplace. This step is one that YOU need to support if recycling is to remain part of the solution to the country's garbage issue. Save Natural Resources By making products from recycled materials instead of virgin materials, we conserve land and reduce the need to drill for oil and dig for minerals. Save Energy It usually takes less energy to make recycled products; recycled aluminum, for example, takes 95% less energy to make than new aluminum from bauxite ore. Saves Clean Air and Water In most cases, making products from recycled materials creates less air and water pollution than making products from virgin materials. Saves Landfill Space When the materials that you recycled go into new products, they do not go t the landfills or incinerators, so landfill space is conserved. Saves Money and Creates Jobs The recycling process creates far more jobs that landfills or incinerators, and recycling can frequently be the least expensive waste management method for cities and towns. OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER The Anoka Union is the City of Ramsey's official newspaper and is published each Friday. All official notices, meeting schedules and City Council agendas are published in the Anoka Union as required by City Charter and State Statutes. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese. - Unknown N Tv I 13