Silver and Gold Magazine Winter 2019/2020 | Page 12
T hey gather dust in basements, garages, and at the
back of closets – older but well-loved versions of audio
equipment, toasters, and irons.
Or what about that lamp with the crooked base, the
lawn chair with the bent leg, or that electric kettle with
the broken cord?
Wondering what to do with that old or damaged (small)
household appliance? Don’t want to throw it out onto
landfill? Still holding onto it because “it might come in
handy someday?”
Burlington has joined over 1500 cities around the world
(15 in Canada) that have a Repair Café – a place where you
can bring that poor, old, defective treasure – and have it
fixed, good as new, avoiding the global garbage heap and
making it useable again (even if not by you).
Run by volunteers, Burlington’s repair café operates on a
pop-up basis, usually once per month, at various locations
around town in order to give everyone a chance to bring
their items in for repair.
To find out when and where future events are,
email: [email protected]
call 905-802-8633 or visit the Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/Burlington.Canada.Repair.Cafe
re You?
A
How Handy
Burlington Repair Café is looking for
some awesome people who are good at
fixing electronics and small appliances...
If you have a couple of hours to spare,
we need you to volunteer for us!
Help their efforts to keep less items
from going to landfill... Let’s fix ‘em up!
12
Lots more online! www.silvergoldmagazine.ca
MOVE THE PAINT CAN
A ccording to Fire Prevention Canada, the winter season is
the worst season for home fires. As temperatures dip and we
crank up the heat, consider these safety tips:
Ventilate and make space
• Furnaces and hot water heaters are powered by electricity
or fuels like oil, propane or natural gas, so it’s important
that there’s enough space for proper ventilation – as well
as maintenance or emergency repair work.
• Keep the furnace room floors and the area around furnace
equipment free of debris.
• Clear away any boxes or suitcases from around air intakes
or vents.
• Don’t lean anything against the furnace or water heater.
• Don’t leave used filters or old furnace parts lying around.
Store elsewhere
• Don’t place kitty litter near your furnace – ammonia fumes
from the litter can corrode the furnace heat exchanger and
odours can circulate throughout your home.
• Don’t keep cleaning or laundry products in your furnace
room – wherever they’re stored, make sure they’re in air-
tight containers.
Take precaution
• Never leave any combustibles in the furnace room. Don’t
store anything near your furnace that’s combustible at low
flash points – like gasoline, paint and paint thinners.
• Always keep the area free of dust and debris – vacuum and
clean around your furnace and water heater tank to prevent
dust buildup.
• If your furnace room or area doubles as a laundry space,
don’t hang laundry or a clothesline from your equipment
– it’s a major fire hazard and reduces airflow.
• Schedule regular maintenance to make sure everything is
in perfect working order.
Burlington Repair Café:
Bring it, fix it, for FREE!
Carbon monoxide is responsible for more than 300
deaths each year and is the number one cause of
accidental poisonings in Canada. CO poisoning
is notoriously difficult to diagnose, often until it’s
too late. The symptoms mimic those of many other
illnesses including nausea, headaches, dizziness,
weakness, chest pain and vomiting.
Most Carbon Monoxide detectors are good for 5-7
years and should be replaced after that time frame.
Typically, the units have a tag or date stamp on the
back to indicate it’s age or expiration date.