Fire Safety Tips for Natural Christmas Trees November 29, 2022 Email As you deck the halls this holiday season, be fire smart. A small fire that spreads to a Christmas tree can grow very large quickly. The following tips will ensure you have the freshest — and the safest — tree possible: Picking the tree Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched. Placing the tree Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 2” from the base of the trunk. Make sure the tree is at least 3 feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, heaters, candles or lamps. Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit. Add water to the tree stand daily if needed to keep the trunk submerged. Lighting the tree Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use. Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Connect no more than three strands of mini string sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of LED strands to connect. Never use candles to decorate the tree. Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed. After Christmas Remove the tree after Christmas or when it is dry. Dried out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage or placed against the home. Never burn a tree in the fireplace or a woodstove. After the holidays, keep your tree in a secure location before collection day to prevent arson or vandalism.
Holiday Schedule November 29, 2022 Email With the holidays on Sundays this season, your collection will be on your normal service day both Christmas and New Year’s week. Don’t forget – sign up for our weekly collection reminders! Remember to compost your food scraps and food-soiled paper to reduce waste. Don’t take a holiday from recycling & composting this season. Recycle & compost at holiday parties! Make it easy to recycle and compost by grouping the 3 bins together. Download signs for bins here! You can also check out our tips to reduce waste when wrapping gifts.
Traffic Safety November 29, 2022 Email TRAFFIC SAFETY IS OUR PRIORITY! The City of Napa has completed the Local Roadway Safety Plan. LEARN MORE ABOUT: Existing traffic safety efforts Collision data Areas of emphasis Implementing countermeasures Funding sources and grants www.CityofNapa.org/Roadway/SafetyPlan 4 E’s of Traffic Safety Education Engineering Enforcement Emergency Medical Services EN ESPAÑOL LA SEGURIDAD DE TRÁFICO ES NUESTRA PRIORIDAD! La Ciudad de Napa ha completado el Plan de Seguridad Vial Local. APRENDA MÁS ACERCA DE: Esfuerzos corrientes de seguridad vial Datos de colisiones Áreas de énfasis Implementación de contramedidas Fuentes de financiamiento y becas www.CityofNapa.org/Roadway/SafetyPlan Las 4 metas de Seguridad Vial Educación Ejecución Ingeniería Servicios médicos de emergencia
Can Do Give Guide November 29, 2022 Email Donate to Local Nonprofits! November 29 – December 31 Inspiring a community of giving. You make a choice. You make a difference. We make it easy. Visit CanDoGiveGuide.org for details and a list of participating nonprofits 707.226.7458 En Español Done a organizaciones locales de benéficos 29 de Noviembre – 31 de Decembre Inspirando una comunidad de generosidad. Haz una elección. Haz una diferencia. Nosotros lo hacemos fácil. Visite CanDoGiveGuide.org para detalles y una lista de los participantes 707.226.7458
Recycle Your Old Christmas Lights! November 29, 2022 Email You can recycle your old Christmas lights year-round at the following two locations: Napa Recycling & Composting Facility 820 Levitin Way | Map & Directions Open Daily 8am – 4pm Devlin Road Reuse & Recycle Center 889 Devlin Road | Map & Directions Open Daily 8am – 4pm OR Schedule a RECYCLE MORE pickup.
Low Waste Alternatives to Traditional Wrapping Paper November 29, 2022 Email Giving and receiving gifts can be a joyful experience, but the wrapping paper waste it creates can be a bit off-putting. When it’s just one present, it’s easy to simply toss the paper away and move along. But after a holiday, party or shower, the waste is difficult to ignore. According to Earth911, 4.6 million pounds of wrapping paper is produced annually in the US alone. Approximately half of that – 2.3 million pounds – makes its way to landfills. That’s the equivalent of tossing out 10 Boeing 757 airliners each year! Some wrapping paper can’t easily be recycled because it’s a combination of paper fiber and non-paper materials laminated together. This also means that traditional wrapping paper is not biodegradable. The good news is there are many inexpensive and sustainable alternatives to wrapping paper. Here are a few sustainable wrapping paper alternatives: Recyclable Newspaper with secured with twine* (pro tip: try using the comic section) Paper bags with a piece of nature such as a pine sprig or leaf attached* Cardboard boxes tied with decorative string* *Remove any non-recyclable material before recycling Reusable Old fabric with a decorative print or interesting color (try tying it in a Japanese Furoshiki style) DIY reusable fabric bags (Don’t sew? Find ready-made ones on online marketplaces such as Etsy!) Still have some old wrapping paper? If you still have traditional paper wrapping paper or gift bags hanging around, use and reuse it as many times as possible before tossing in the recycling. Make sure to toss any plastic wrapping “paper,” as well as bows and ribbon in the garbage. Tissue paper goes in the compost, not the recycling.
Scouting For Food? November 1, 2022 Email Donate your food supplies to those in dire need! Date: November 12, 2022 Time: 9 am-12 pm Napa Drop-Off Location: Trancas Park and Ride Parking Lot Intersection of Redwood/Solano Saturday, November 5: Scouts will place door hangers at residences. On Saturday, November 12, please leave your donations BEFORE 9 am on your doorstep for collection by the Scouts. If you missed us or did not receive a door hanger, drop off is available 9 am to 12 pm at the location below.
Don’t Be a Turkey! Compost That Birdie! November 1, 2022 Email Did you know that food-soiled paper products, all food (including bones and shells), fats/oils/grease and yard trimmings can go in your brown or green compost cart? Compost Tip: Remember that plastic, metal and glass products are NEVER compostable. Check out our Recycling Guide for more details on what is accepted in your brown or green compost cart and blue recycling cart.
Are You Prepared For Winter? November 1, 2022 Email What homeowners should know before a flood occurs If you live in a flood-prone area, take proactive measures to protect your home and your valuables: Take pictures of your valuables for insurance inventory Store your important documents in a waterproof container Create digital versions and save them on a secure drive Keep your valuables (e.g. keepsakes & family photos) out of the basement so they’re not in danger of flood water Consider installing “check valves” in your home and sealing the walls in your basement Raise your utilities (electrical panels, water heater, furnace, etc) above the base flood elevation Keep your sump pump in working order with a battery backup Keep a supply of sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting or lumber to protect your home and valuables from flooding Get flood insurance so you’re protected against the damages of a flood Utilities are the #1 reason that people have to pay out of pocket because the claims are less than or equal to the deductible If you remodeled your basement – discuss with your insurance agent to be sure your improvements are covered Sign up for local weather alerts Learn about your flood risk and the floodplain in your area at FloodSmart.gov City of Napa Flood Contact Information DURING EMERGENCIES Public Information Hotline 707-258-7817 www.cityofnapa.org FLOODPLAIN INQUIRES Public Works Department 707-257-9520 napa.onerain.com This information is only a portion of what you need to be prepared; for more information and resources, visit Ready.gov and FEMA.gov
Thanksgiving Updates: Collection Schedule and Cooking Oil Recycling November 1, 2022 Email Thanksgiving Collection Schedule Thurs 24 No Collection Office Closed Fri 25 Thursday Collection Office Phones Open until Noon Sat 26 Friday Collection Office Closed Recycle Your Cooking Oil! Call 255-5200 to receive a collection container. Free Curbside Pickup The RECYCLE MORE program picks up the used cooking oil by appointment and replaces the can with an empty. This program is for cooking oil only, please put solid fats & grease in the compost cart. Free drop off of used cooking oil: Devlin Road Reuse & Recycle Center 889B Devlin Road, American Canyon Daily 8:30am–3:30pm; 707-258-9018