Today's Feature

Smoke Detectors Program.

News release

The Carthage Fire Department presently has free smoke detectors available for eligible applicants. Anyone who feels they cannot afford detectors for whatever reason may receive them free of charge. The Department prefers that these detectors be given to those who own their homes. Landlords should provide detectors in their rentals. No persons with good reason will be denied a detector.

To receive free detector, applicant must fill out short form which can be picked up at the Fire Department at 401 W. Chestnut. This form will be used for records to document where the detectors go. All information is considered confidential.

Applicant will then receive information pamphlets that tell them how and where to install detectors. This is a Fire Safety Program. Detectors will be distributed from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday while supply lasts. The Carthage Fire Department cannot be responsible for proper operation, maintenance or installation of these smoke detectors. Statistics say smoke detectors can provide household members a 50% better chance of surviving a house-fire.

It’s all about perspective.

The old sayin’ that if it’s worth doin’, it’s worth doin’ right is absolutely right. The rub comes in the interpretation of the key word "right. In most cases, that can vary widely accordin’ to circumstances.

To bring this into proper perspective, consider the "right" way to plant a garden. Don’t know of two people who do it ‘xactly the same. Same for cuttin’ grass. There are numerous lines of thought as to the proper height of the blade, the angle of attack, mulch or bag.

‘Course most of the time doin’ it right means doin’ it the way whoever is complainin’’ about the way you do it thinks it should be done.

I suppose ever’one has the right to complain ever now and then, just as you have the right to completely ignore ‘em.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

A Toasty-Warm Basement

Q: This winter I had to replace my boiler, and someone also came to remove the asbestos-laden insulation on the steam pipes in the basement. I was told they didn’t need to be reinsulated because "warm air rises." I know we all learned that in eighth-grade science, but if you were in my basement this winter, you would know by how toasty warm it was (compared with the rest of the house) that this ain’t necessarily so. Do you think it is worth it to re-cover the pipes with fiberglass insulation? The basement is not "finished." Thanks. — Iris T., Westfield, N.J.

A: Yes, I would. As you could tell by the toastiness of your basement this winter (which was probably very nice), the steam pipes emitted plenty of heat, and much of it stayed in the basement.

Warm air does indeed rise, but it didn’t have an expedient way to leave the basement area. And because the basement is not finished (I assume it has no insulation or wall paneling), the heat that did escape took the fastest exit, which may have been directly outdoors.

However, the steam pipes for your heating system are designed to carry that heat up to all the living areas of your house. The purpose of the old asbestos insulation was to keep that heat contained within the pipes as the hot steam rose upward, rather than allowing it to radiate out immediately (into the basement instead of your bedroom).

Insulating those pipes will cool off your basement and warm up the rest of the house. This will also lower your heating bill, as it will take less energy (electric, oil or otherwise) to generate the amount of steam heat necessary to keep you comfortable. You may not have noticed a tremendous change in heating costs even with a brand-new boiler that is probably much more efficient. However, when you run the heat with insulated pipes, you should notice a drop in the operating cost.

Compressed fiberglass insulation (rather than foam) is the best type to use with steam pipes, which can get rather hot. And it’s quite inexpensive — you’ll probably spend less than $20. Measure the length (from boiler to ceiling exit) and width (or diameter) of the pipe and then purchase the wrap-on type with a half-inch thickness at any hardware or home-improvement store.