From The Mayor’s Office

www.Gardencityny.net

By Barbara K. Miller

HOLIDAY SAFETY

Governor George E. Pataki has sent me some information on holiday safety which I would like to share with you. Decorating, both indoor and outdoor, can be exciting. Here are some safety tips that can make your holiday event free.

General Safety Tips:

• Do not place candles on or near any decorative vegetation or trees.

• Always use candles in holders that are sturdy and adequately collect dripping wax.

• Ensure that your family and people that are staying for the holidays know your home fire escape plan.

• Have your chimney cleaned and inspected before use for the season.

• Check all of your smoke alarms.

• Watch for overloading of electrical circuits. Use listed power distribution blocks or strips with automatic circuit protection when overloaded or overheated.

Trees:

• Choose a tree that is not dry and is not dropping needles.

• Use a stand that can adequately hold up the tree. Before placing the tree in the stand cut at least 1/2 inch of the stem off to give a fresh surface for the water to be in contact with.

• Proper placement of the tree in water and on-going maintenance will make the tree safe and last throughout the holiday season. Ensure that the tree stem is covered by at least two inches of water at all times and check the level at least daily.

• If needles or leaves fall off the tree readily when shaken or if the needles break when pinched, the tree is too dry for indoor use and should be removed.

• Trees should be a distance, at least equal to the height of the tree, away from open flames and sources of ignition. This includes heaters and fireplaces.

• The location of the tree should not be in the way of doors, windows or in paths used for exiting.

• Check to ensure that any decorative lighting that is used is "listed", such as the "UL" label, and that the lighting is for "indoor" use. Do not place lights on metal trees.

YEAR-END REMINDERS

VILLAGE OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON DECEMBER 24 AND ON DECEMBER 31

The Second Half of Village Taxes which were due and payable on December 1, 2004 are normally subject to penalty if payment is not made within a thirty day grace period. This year the grace period has been extended to include Monday, January 3, 2005 because the Village Offices will be closed December 31st. Any payments received after the close of business on January 3rd will be subject to penalty. For your convenience, correspondence may be paced in the letter slot at the easterly entrance to Village Hall.

Veterans Real Property Tax Exemption. The deadline for applications for veteran's tax exemptions is December 31, 2004. Applications cannot be accepted after that date.

Village offices will be closed on Friday, December 24, 2004 in observance of Christmas and will reopen on Monday, December 27, 2004 and will be closed on December 31, 2004 in observance of New Year's Day and will reopen on Monday, January 3, 2005. For your convenience, correspondence for the Village may be placed in the "Letter" drop slot at the front door.

Residents are reminded that there will be regular garbage and/or recycling pickup on Friday, December 24, 2004 and on December 31, 2004.

COLLECTION OF CHRISTMAS TREES AND WREATHS FOR RECYCLING

If you have a live Christmas tree or wreath to dispose of, please leave them at the curb on your regularly scheduled recycling collection day. They will be collected by the Department of Public Works and offered to other agencies for beach erosion control or rendered at the Village Yard for use around trees and shrubs as mulch.

Please assist the Village by removing tree stands from the discarded trees and cooperate with your neighbors by disposing of them only on the scheduled recycling collection days. This collection of trees will continue for the next several weeks. We can only hope that the weather, in particular the snow, holds out until all trees and wreaths are collected.