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Smart salting saves the environment Reduce the risk of frozen pipes and learn to identify water main breaks Free Fix-It Clinics Pipes and water mains can freeze and break in cold weather. The risk in- creases during long stretches of extremely cold weather. Residents are encouraged to consider the following tips to help avoid frozen pipes: • Ensure the furnace’s cold air return is pointed away from the water service, which enters most homes in the base- ment through the floor • Leave kitchen and bathroom cup- board doors open to allow heat in • Keep the furnace above 55 degrees F • Shut off and drain pipes leading to outside faucets • Wrap foam insulation around pipes most susceptible to freezing • Seal air leaks in the home and garage • Have someone check on the house while away • In extreme cold conditions, purchase Winter is here to stay and we all know that salt can be a good tool to melt ice on our driveways and sidewalks. But while salt can help prevent accidents on the road and around buildings, it comes at an environmental cost. When the snow melts, the de-icing salt, which contains chloride, runs into nearby lakes and can harm fish, ducks, and other aquatic wildlife. How can you make a difference? Here are a few ideas to reduce your salt use this winter: • Check the temperature – is it too cold for salt? Most salts stop work- ing around 15 degrees (F). When the temperatures drop, use sand for trac- tion, but remember that sand doesn’t melt ice. • Apply less than you think. Adding more salt does not equal more melt- ing. Try to use less than four pounds of salt per 1,000 square feet. Keep in mind one pound of salt is about the same as one 12-ounce coffee mug. • Clean-up any extra salt. If you can see sand or salt on dry pavement, it means that it is no longer working and could be washed away. Try to reuse salt or sand somewhere else or sweep it up and throw it away. Source: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Ramsey County Fix-it Clinics pro- vide attendees with opportunities to get household items fixed for free and to learn valuable repair skills. You can bring your broken household goods and clothing in need of repair, along with any tools and supplies you think might help with the job and get assistance with repair. Events are first come, first served. For more information, check out Ramsey- Recycles.com, or call 651-633 EASY (3279) answered 24/7. Saturday, February 24 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. North Haven Church 2240 15th Ave. East North St. Paul Saturday, March 24 11 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. West Minnehaha Recreation Center 685 West Minnehaha Ave. Saint Paul Saturday, April 28 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Ramsey County Library, White Bear Lake 2150 2nd St. White Bear Lake a thermometer to monitor water temperature. If the water drops below 38 degrees F, leave a cold water tap running at a steady stream of about a quarter-inch in diameter, or approxi- mately the diameter of a No. 2 pencil. Water main breaks Water main breaks are identified by water running out of the ground, through cracks in the pavement or from behind curbing. If you see any of these signs, call Arden Hills City Hall at 651-792-7800. After hours, call 651-767-0640. Photo credit: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency