Community Tips
Take Care of your Chimney |
New Animal Shelter |
Don't Wait in Line
SAFETY TIPS
Take Care of your Chimney
Failing to maintain your wood
stove or fireplace properly can lead to a chimney fire. Chimney fires
occur when deposits on the inner walls of the chimney ignite.
Such deposits, called “creosote,” are a natural byproduct of wood burning,
and a fire hazard exists if 1/4 inch (or more) of creosote coats the inner
walls of the chimney.
How can you prevent chimney fires?
Chimney fires do not occur in clean, intact, properly installed chimneys.
Find a professional chimney sweep to clean and inspect your appliance at
least once a year.
More frequent cleanings may be required, based on the type of wood burned,
the type of appliance and the frequency of use. In general, an older,
uncertified wood stove, or any appliance that is used frequently, will
require more than one cleaning per year.
How can you detect a chimney fire?
The first indication of a chimney fire is usually the noise – a roaring
sound that grows louder as the fire’s intensity increases. Clouds of black
smoke and sparks will be seen pouring from the top of the chimney; in
severe fires, flames can extend several feet above the chimney. When this
occurs, call 911 and leave the building.
— information courtesy of the Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Assoc.
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 New Animal Shelter Offers Safe Harbor
Lost animals now have a more comfortable sanctuary while waiting to be
connected with their family, thanks to a new animal
shelter constructed at our Ryan Ranch Corporation Yard.
The new facility also saves the City as much as $5,000 a year in fees we
once paid to shelter animals temporarily at outside agencies.
The upgraded shelter is larger, allowing us to house animals for longer
periods of time, and offers indoor space. The old, outdated shelter was
largely open to the elements and no longer met the needs of the community.
Budget challenges delayed upgrades to the shelter for the last few years.
However, a creative
solution brought funds together from the City’s General Fund and the
Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) to make construction possible.
Volunteers helped keep building and design costs low. Some 12 volunteers,
including City staff, donated more than 600 hours to the project.
Don’t
Wait in Line
Get online today and catch up on City news and
events. Or report problems or make service requests with a click of the
button.
Visit www.monterey.org.
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