“TOPs”  -  TOWNWATCH on PatroL

Welcome to “TOPs”, Pennsbury Townwatch’s member newsletter.  Townwatch can be reached at 610-388-0785.

***

NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS

THIS IS YOUR OFFICIAL INVITATION

To attend the

Pennsbury Townwatch

Annual Meeting

Saturday

March 25, 10:30 A.M.

Pennsbury township building

Guest Speaker, Judge Anthony Sarcione, Chester County Court of Common pleas

Brunch will be served

***

President’s  Corner

“ONCE EVERY YEAR”

Certainly March brings many good things for all of us in Pennsbury (among which, we hope, an end to our snow).  But for the Townwatch Board of Directors, it also brings our Annual Meeting on March 25, 2006 – the one chance we have each year to give our members, and particularly our Patrol volunteers, a chance to say hello to both one another, and also to the Board members. It also gives us the opportunity to honor those who patrol on a regular basis.

This year, hoping to make the Annual Meeting more convenient for all of our members some of whom prefer not to drive after dark at our normal evening meeting time, we’ve changed it to a Saturday brunch at the

 Pennsbury Township Building

702 Baltimore Pike (U.S. Highway 1)

Chadds Ford, PA 19317

Light refreshments and snacks will be served beginning at 10:30 AM, and the formal meeting will start at 11:30 AM (and will run about 30 minutes).

The Honorable Judge Anthony Sarcione of the Chester County Court of Common Pleas will be our guest speaker once more this year.  He has spoken to us twice in the past, as Chester County’s District Attorney.  As our favorite speaker, he’s agreed to join us again – this time to possibly share a judicial perspective.

We look forward to March 25^th, to a great speaker, good fellowship, and hopefully a record turnout.

‘Til then, take good care of your neighbors.

Jim Sears, President, Pennsbury Townwatch

***

FALSE ALARMS—WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THEM?

Why Is this subject Important to residents of Pennsbury Township? At our monthly Pennsbury Townwatch Board of Directors Meetings, we review crime and other statistics supplied by the PA State Police and Longwood Fire Departments. Almost every month, the highest number of incidents (an average of 16/month) that occur are false alarms. So, what can you to help cut down on this waste? Read on…..

What is a false alarm? 

A false alarm is an alarm that triggers an emergency response when no emergency has occurred.

Why are false alarms a problem?

•   False alarms exhaust the resources of police, fire and emergency personnel and prevent them from responding to actual emergencies.

•   False alarms reduce the effectiveness of security systems. If alarms are seen as unreliable indicators, they may potentially be ignored.

•  False alarms increase costs for taxpayers, security service providers and users, requiring additional personnel to respond to alarms.

•   False alarms can carry fines. Owners of systems that trigger false alarms can be fined for each occurrence.

•   False alarms can lead to denial of service. In some cities and towns, police, fire and emergency personnel are instructed to ignore the alarms of users whose systems have set off false alarms in the past.

What causes false alarms?

-          User error is a primary cause of false alarms.

-          Family members or friends who have not been properly trained in its use.

•     Poor maintenance such as ignoring low sensor or system battery warnings.

•     Users who forgot the alarm code.

•     Cleaning staff, service people, babysitters, etc., unfamiliar with the system.

•     Carelessness.

What will happen if your system emits a false alarm?

·      Fire alarms cause a response from your local fire department. At a minimum, this means a ladder/hose fire truck and other smaller vehicles will respond to your alarm location.

·      Burglar alarms will cause the State Police to send a patrol car to investigate at your alarm location.

•     Users with recurring false alarms may be subject to fines.

How can you help stop false alarms?

•   Periodically test your alarm system with the alarm company monitoring station as recommended in your owner's manual to ensure that signals are being properly received. Always call your company before you test your system.

•   Review your alarm system’s operating manual. Train the necessary people in the use of your home's alarm system and schedule annual review sessions.

•   Be familiar with your alarm company’s procedures should they receive an alarm signal from your home, including how to cancel an accidental alarm. In some instances, alarm companies have begun verifying alarms and will attempt to contact you before summoning the appropriate authorities.

•   Low system and sensor battery voltage are the second most common cause of accidental alarms. Most alarm systems visually indicate a problem with the batteries that should receive prompt attention.

•   Regularly check alarm sensor contact switches or magnets on doors and windows for signs of damage or looseness. 

•   Check that all doors and windows are locked and cannot be inadvertently opened by a strong breeze. Motion detectors should be aimed away from air vents, sources of heat, fireplaces and windows.  If pets are present, make sure motion detectors are the pet insensitive type or keep pets away from motion detectors.

•   Ensure that alarm system call-list phone numbers on file with your alarm company are up to date with to ensure proper verification, including updates to area codes and emergency contacts.

•   Always advise your alarm company before any interior remodeling (including air vent repair, extensive painting, window replacement and any changes to the location of doors, walls or windows) that may affect the alarm system configuration.

-    Be aware that certain cooking tasks such as oven self-cleaning, high temperature broiling, or burned food, can generate particles that can trigger a smoke alarm. Immediately contact your alarm company if such an event occurs in order to avoid a false alarm.

Though you cannot do anything to prevent an act of nature, such as a storm, or prevent intruders from damaging your system, you can be sure your system is properly chosen and designed for your home and personal needs.

Reminder – Renew Your Membership

Your membership renewal should have arrived in your mailbox within the last couple of weeks.  For a mere $7.50 for an individual membership, or $10 for a family or business, you can help Townwatch to continue its program of providing patrols and other activities to maintain your safety, security and peace-of-mind. Funds are used for road signs, patrol signs, window stickers, TOPs Newsletter, promotional activities and other related items. Make your check payable to Pennsbury Townwatch and mail it to: Pennsbury Townwatch Inc., 702 West Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, PA 19317.   All donations are tax-deductible.

***

Emergency: Loss of Steering Due to a Blowout!     

s you might know, driving can be dangerous and experiencing the loss of your steering due to a blowout can be very dangerous indeed. If you experience a blowout and experience a temporary loss of steering because of it, you don’t have to panic or fear the worst. You can take care of the situation and really be protected. In fact, by following certain safety measures a blowout doesn’t have to be a big deal at all. In this article, we will discuss what to do if you experience a blowout and how to protect yourself. 

Ø     Steering. If your front tire blows, the car may suddenly veer wildly as if you’ve thrown the steering wheel to one side while a busted rear tire will usually make you head more gracefully. Don’t steer suddenly in any direction; just try to slow down and get to the side.  

Ø     Do not slam on the brakes. Although this might be your first instinct, do not do it. In fact, hitting on your brakes is the worst thing that you can do and will cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Instead, keep your foot on the gas pedal when you experience a blowout. The vehicle’s forward vector is your friend and will allow the continuous engine power to help you steer the vehicle. Just as you would in a sudden strong crosswind, maintain it and steering will protect you. 

Ø     Slow down gradually. Let the car slow down gradually by taking your foot off the gas pedal and work your vehicle toward the breakdown lane or toward an exit. If you have to change lanes, put on your turn signals and be cognizant of to other drivers. Also, put on your emergency flashers to warn others. 

Ø     Steer as your vehicle slows down. It is better to roll the car off the roadway and into a safe place than it is to stop in traffic and risk being hit by other vehicles. Try and get your car off the pavement and away from traffic before getting out of the car. 

Ø     Don’t be frightened by strange noises you hear. If you let it, those strange noises from a blowout can scare you. Simply grip the wheel tightly and only make steering corrections as needed. Wait for your vehicle to drop at the afflicted corner and look for a good place to pull off.          

Ø     Leave the tire and wheel. OK, I know that they cost money but they are history. It is more important to avoid an accident than to stop in traffic trying to grab your tire. Instead, keep going until you find a safe place to pull off the road. If there is a ton of traffic, you might want to continue until you see your next exit. A flat is good for up to 1/3 mile before you are riding on the rim and the rim can go for up to two miles before it gives out. 

Ø     Don’t Be Hard on Yourself. Just about everyone will have a flat tire in his or her life. If this happens to you and you experience a blowout, stay calm, be patient and remember that it is more important to get of the road than to site there and try and save your tire. Tires and rims can be replaced but your life and the life of your passengers cannot. 

Last, but not least, use common sense. If you are forced to pull off on the shoulder then park as far as you can from the road itself. Changing a left side tire close to traffic could get you killed. Also, make sure that you pull out your emergency flashers, flares and reflectors. This could inevitably save your life!

***

Pennsbury Townwatch Announces 2006 Community Service Events

In our continuing efforts to enhance the security and safety in our Township, Pennsbury Townwatch is pleased to announce our 2006 training programs. As part of our Outreach Program, Pennsbury Townwatch will subsidize part of the cost of two certified training courses: 1) Adult and Pediatric CPR and 2) 55-Alive Defensive Driving.

Beacon Safety will conduct an Adult and Pediatric CPR program on April 29^th. The 2-hour course will be held at the Pennsbury Township Building, 10:00am to Noon. You will receive a 2-year internationally recognized CPR certification upon completion. Registration is $20.00 per attendee; total registration is limited to the first 20 people.  Registrations received above a total of 20 will have their checks returned. Townwatch is underwriting 50% of the normal $40 course cost as a community service to residents.

AARP will conduct a 55-Alive defensive driving course on consecutive Saturdays May 13^th & May 20^th. The course is spread over two, 4-hour sessions. Each session will be held at the Pennsbury Township Building, 9:00am to 1:00pm. You must attend both sessions to receive certification. Certificates are good for 3 years. PA law requires insurance companies to give a 5% discount for drivers 55 and older who successfully complete the course. Registration is $10.00 per attendee; total registration is limited to the first 20 people.  Registrations received above a total of 20 will have their checks returned.