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1 t's better safe than sorry with your carLbonii monoxidîe alarmn By STEPHANIE THIESSEN The Champion Over thc pat month, the Milton Pire Dcpartmcnt has respondcd so ahnost two dozen carbon monox- ide alarma, with many acemingly caused by faulsy detectors. Whilc that mnight seem like a wassc of time and resources, spokespeople from the Milton Pare Department said they couldn't sec is more differently. Ins fact, training co-ordinator Tirn Roberas said he wouldn't mind if there were even more cails. "Ia means thc system is work- ing," Mr. Roberts said, explaining that Milton residents should be calling the fane departmnena every time their carbon monoxide detec- tors go off. "Thatas one call wc don't mind gomng to." He aaid it's nos a question of wasted resources. But it migha be a question of wasted livea if Uic calîs don't come in. "People sometimes ignore it and treat is (Uic alarm) as a nuisance, waising for Uic situation 50 wors- en," he said. But, he saal waiaing until Uic mommig so sec if Uic situation has taken care of itacîf could prove fatal, since carbon monoxide is colourlesa and odourleas. From Novemher 1 5 an December 15 - accordmng 50 incident aum- maries sent to The Champion from Uic Milton Pire Departmcnt - fn-c crews responded su 22 carbon monoxide alarm activations in Milton. Of those, faulty detectora were suspected in 16 cases. Three inci- dents were caused by what fn-e crewa suspect were faulty fumnaces and one was caused by a gas sove. Two alarma wcnt off because vehi- dles were lefa running in residenta' garages. Capt. Mark Cross, who recently fmnisbed a carbon monoxide train- ing program for firefightera, aaid he stUll reaponda to calîs where peo- ple tell him Uiey ignored Uic frst couple of alarma and called Uic fn-e department only when Uic alarm went off a Uiird or fourth time. This needa to change, he saa. It's normal that more carbon monoxide cails comne through in Uic winter montha, Caps. Cross said. Itas particaslarly important as this aimne of year for the public to be aware of how this deadly gas entera homes in order to prevent tragedies. "Ifs called Uic silent killer for a reason," Caps. Cross sal. There are a few key reasona why carbon monoxide incidents increase in Uic wintcr, Caps. Cross saa. Since houses are kept buttoned up tightly during the winter, Caps. Cross said runssing appliances can cause a negative pressure in Uic air, which in turo results in Uic house aucking in air from outaide through any and evcry crevice. If the air is polluted or containa carbon monoxide from ncarby running cars, fumes can enter Uic home. Alto, having dangerous fumes emit from, a furnace isn't unusual whcn itas fn-as fn-ed up. And since windows are closed in winter, Uiere's nowherc for Uic toxie fumes to go. Bluekeil chimneys can also cause problemas. "Cet your chisnney sweps and inspected on a regular basis," he advised Uic public. "Cet everything serviced on a regular basis. That's Uic beat Uiing you can do." Caps. Cross sald people some- simca Uiink it's okay s u n their cars in Uieir garages if Uic garage doors are open. Itas nos, he sald, adding Uiat a carbon monoxide detector can even go off because of an idling car in Uic neiglhour's driveway. "Tlsirty seconda is alI you need su warmi up your car. And let it mun in Uic driveway (nos Uic garage)," he said. Put Uic detector whcre occupants aleep. There's nu point of it being in the hasemens. When hannful fumes come from Uic fumace, the gas travela through Uic ductwork and often right insu bedrooma where peuple are sleeping. Stephanie Thiessen can be reached at sthiessen@miltoncana- dianchampion.com. The Canadian Champion, Fniday, December 19, 2003--13 ~%%u ..,Muu4 Dêbe31203 <lats - wôc5nnkm5 - um"n£ a Mi+ &.5pm es £LLû.cLd& Lw swid: &=da4à (4 stwý56kd~ but EWDer TabL T(cst -$1Ôpiso" 'rabkj s1% pu" ý 4104l - $"Ôp~i Ta Pu"ca~ t(kei mau On behaif of Thse Royal Cassadian Legion, Pte. U.J. (Joe) Waters, Brandi 136, 1 would like to thank the people of Milton for their support by their generous donations to, this year's Poppy Campaign. A special thas to the many Volunteers; Business and Service Clubs; our Police Departments; Cadets; Navy; Armny a.nd Airforce; Milton District Pipe Band, and Parade Marshall, Dave MeNeilI. I would also like to tbank the businesses and volunteers who made this campaign a success. Kevin's Towing Brookville Vet Service Pasqsaalino Bistro Patrick & Bonita Batty Hobden Construction Arthur Electric Knigbts of Columbus Michael Ledwitb Rotary Club 2990OArmy Cadets I.O.D.E R C Ladies Auxiliary 0 Evening Star Rebekali Danco Design Heritage Safety R C Legion Bruker Biospin Halton Sportsmen HIMCS Chaudier (Sea Cadets) J. Hardiman Active Transport Homnby Glen Golf New Mechanical Club 88 Milton Transmission Optimiat Club Bill Mathers Our Lady of Victory Gus Mowbray Ltd. Conbel Construction Milton Fire Figliter Club Martin St. Schnol Fay Electric Twiss Transportation Sherman Sand & Gravel Sam Sberratt School Wallace Pontiac Austin & Noble Wickens Mechanical J. M. Denyes School Patbway to Wellness Ricbardson Chev Olds Industrial Lighting Halton Police Association Cooperbeat Hutchinson Thompson Halton Agricultural Society St. Clair Lodge Beaclicombers North Halton Compass Bobs Auto Woodbine Entertainment Lions Club Bob Bayton Carpentry Allendale Foundation Ontario Lottery Salvation Army Town of Milton Meritor 820 Air Cadets Carlinbetb Fuels Haber Blain Insurance J. Scott Early Funeral Home Holy Rosary Schnol Cation Excavating Region of Halton Mikes Barber Shop Toastmnasters SBC Air Weatherhead Management Clieryl Meredith Legion Dart League GD Controls Omnni Stone Milton Curling Club Legion Snooker League Grant Stewart Const. Milton Dist. Horticultural Society Halton Regional Police Legion Eucbre League Zanatta Const. Comfi Interiors Milton District Scouts G. Hasselfeldt Family Fiftb Wbeel Wayne Taylor Family Halton Catholic Dist. Scbool Board E. Bailey Solex Ind. Jim Shaw Acct. Union Cas Kinsmen Club Mattbews Canada McKersie Kocher Funeral Home Milton Janitor Service Navy League Compass Rose Last but not least, our Ladies Auxiliary and the Executive, Brandi 136. Tbank you Angels for your belp. Tbank you one and ail, Sharon McKeown, President George Tbornborrow, Poppy Chairan leu