Public Works Department - the Township of Lanark Highlands

Fire Department / North Lanark Community Health Centrewww.lanarkhighlands.ca Highland Voice 2011Fire DepartmentIs Your Wood Stove Safe?Improperly installed and maintained wood stoves and fireplacescan lead to dangerous conditions that put you, your family, andneighbours at risk.Follow the rules – When purchasing a new wood stove or fireplaceinsert, look for the mark of an accredited certification agencythat ensures the product has been tested and meets establishedsafety standards.Check with your local building department and obtain anynecessary permits prior to installing a wood stove, fireplaceinsert, or chimney. Always follow the manufacturer’s installationinstructions. The Ontario Fire Code requires homeowners toensure that their home heating appliances and chimneys are safe.This requires periodic inspections and maintenance.Tips for maintaining your wood burningappliance1. Inspect and Clean your Chimney• Check your chimney and clear any obstructions at the start of theheating season, and make sure damper controls work properly tokeep smoke and toxic gases from building up inside the home.• Check chimneys and flue pipes often for creosote and soot buildupand clean to prevent a chimney fire.• Your chimney may have problems you can’t see. If in doubt,consult a WETT (Wood Energy Technical Training) certified chimneysweep.2. Cap It Off• Maintain an appropriate chimney cap on top of your chimney toprotect against damage from rain or snow.• Spark screens should be inspected regularly to make sure smokecan vent properly.3. Check Stove Pipes and Connections• Ensure all joints in flue pipes are securelyfastened with at least 3 screws. Where fluepipes are joined together, the small(crimped) end should point towardthe appliance.4. Protect Floors and Walls fromHeat and Sparks• Keep combustible materialsa safe distance away fromwood stoves and fireplaces.• Always use a properly fittingscreen for your fireplace.• Consult a WETT certified chimney sweep if wallsget too hot.5. Burn Dry Wood• Burn properly dried well-seasoned wood to reduce the risk ofexcessive creosote build-up from inefficient burning or smolderingfires.• Store wood outdoors, stacked in an open area or shed away fromthe house or deck to provide good air flow that will assist drying.6. Remove Ashes Safely• Allow ashes to cool fully before cleaning them from your fireplaceor wood stove.• Use only metal, non-combustible containers to remove ashesfrom the appliance.• Take them outside immediately and store well away from buildingson a non-combustible surface.7. Install Carbon Monoxide Alarms• All homes with fuel-fired appliances should have a carbonmonoxide (CO) alarm. Check with your fire department ormunicipal office regarding Building Code and municipal by-lawrequirements.24The North LanarkCommunity HealthCentre– a place where everyonematters!The North Lanark Community HealthCentre (CHC) has been a part of the communityof north Lanark since our doorsopened 19 years ago. At our CHC, thehealth and well-being of every individual,every family, and every communitymatters!While many people often refer to us asthe “clinic”, the last three words in ourname “North Lanark Community HealthCentre” provide a much better descriptionof who we are. Our family doctors,nurse practitioners and nurses work in aninter-professional team which includesa dietitian, social worker, respiratorytherapist, chiropodist, health promoterand community developer to provide awide range of primary care services toresidents of north Lanark. We also offera number of programs that promotehealth and wellness and serve to preventor lessen illness and disease. Theseprograms are aimed at addressing thebroader health needs of the people andcommunity we serve. For example, ourprograms include: exercise classes forolder adults and seniors; smoking cessationgroups; cooking groups for men andbudget-conscious families; information,support and skills training for peoplewith chronic health conditions; physical,active play for young children, to namejust a few.At the North Lanark CHC, much of thework we do in the community is accomplishedthrough active partnershipswith others. The high level of involvementand commitment from the localcommunity – from volunteers, localgovernment, schools, community-basedorganizations, and other health andsocial service providers – is what enablesus to offer such a wide range of programsand services to the community. All ourprograms are free and all members of thecommunity are welcome!The primary care service area for theNorth Lanark Community Health Centreincludes all parts of Lanark County thatare north of Highway #7, and extendsservice to the parts of Frontenac Countythat are north of Highway #7 and theTownship of Greater Madawaska inRenfrew County. The service area forthe “Healthy Young Families Program”,which is for families with children aged 0– 6 years, includes all of Lanark County.To find out more about ourprograms and services,visit our website atwww.northlanarkchc.on.caor phone 613-259-2182. We arelocated at 207 Robertson Drive inLanark Village.