“TOPs”  -  TOWNWATCH on Patrol

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

***                                           

President’s  Corner

This year sees a change in leadership of the Townwatch Board of Directorship, with Ron Majors' "retirement" from his office as President. Ron has presided over our operations for 3 years, a period which has seen not only a steady improvement in our Patrol activities, but the emergence of a Community Outreach effort as well. We are indebted to Ron for his achievements, and delighted that he remains on our Board, where he is now contributing to our publicity activities

As mentioned, this year has been an interesting and active one in the Outreach area. Early in the year we provided our Township members with car windshield stickers containing emergency phone numbers for use while “on the road”.

Shortly thereafter, an Emergency Network of members was created to support the activities of Pennsbury Township's Emergency Management Organization. The purpose of this group is twofold: to provide storm damage or other emergency notification to the Township when an emergency arises in the community; and also to "look-in" on a number of our residents who have notified us of their special needs which might be affected by either a weather or power-outage event. Twenty-six of you have volunteered for this important effort, and we thank you for this extra measure of help.

More recently, several members of our Board of Directors have held meetings with representatives of both Emergency Management and the Pennsbury Planning Commission in an attempt to coordinate community-wide programs for disseminating information on specific areas of Safety and Security to Township residents. As a result of these meetings, Townwatch has recently mailed a questionnaire to all households in the community, asking their input on a variety of specific possibilities for future programs in this area. Stay tuned!

As your new President, it will be my pleasure to continue to pursue these two important activities, and to perhaps explore other areas for growth as well. My years as Patrol Chairman have provided me the privilege of meeting nearly all of our current Patrol volunteers -- a dedicated group of people who form the backbone of our large and unique Townwatch organization. We are not only the oldest such activity in Chester County, but by far the largest as well. (We will be 23 years old this year, and are 280-strong in contributing members). My thanks to each of you for your continuing support, and I look forward to meeting more of you as my term goes on.

Sincerely,

Jim Sears

President, Pennsbury Townwatch

***

NEW Short Wave Radio for Township Emergencies

A truly major emergency in Pennsbury – particularly one of a weather-related nature – could easily disrupt all telephone communication between our Township Officials and the Chester County Department of Emergency Services.

In such a situation – unlikely as it may be – our only communication would be by means of amateur radio.

Thanks to the efforts of Townwatch member Dave Wittman, and the generosity of Pocopson resident Robert Ross, the Pennsbury Township Building is now equipped with a short wave radio.  Township personnel and member Bob Updegrave have assisted in its installation, while Townwatch has purchased the power supply and antenna equipment needed to complete the project.

***

9-1-1 Address -- DO YOU KNOW YOURS?

IS IT VISIBLE FROM THE STREET?

 ***

Fall-winter home safety and security

 Fall and winter mean shorter days, colder weather, and less natural light to safely traverse paths outdoors and hallways indoors. The change in seasons also ushers in the need to fire up the furnace and-or stoke the fireplace or wood stove.

With reduced natural light and furnace and fireplace operation come a host of safety and security hazards, such as nasty falls, home burglaries, increased fire danger and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. There are, however, several simple and inexpensive upgrades that will improve safety and security and, as a bonus, improve comfort and energy efficiency.

Lighting: A poorly lighted path is an accident waiting to happen — especially when one is burdened with an armful or groceries or packages. Solve the problem by installing landscape lighting. Also called accent and patio lighting, these low-voltage systems are more affordable, energy-efficient and easier to install than ever. Although elements can be purchased piecemeal, most manufacturers offer a kit that contains everything needed to brighten up the exterior of your home — wire, transformer and fixtures. Besides improving path safety, these systems are a means of lighting dark, bushy areas that could serve as a hide-out for an intruder.

While landscape lighting contributes to the safety and security of a home, it does have its limitations. Where more lighting "horsepower" is needed, such as at the front porch, driveway or a poorly lighted side or rear yard, consider motion-activated lighting. This type of light fixture turns on when a sensor detects motion — a feature that protects against intruders.

When motion-activated lighting first became popular, it was, for the most part, limited to a standard utility spot or floodlight. Today, decorative lantern-style fixtures automatically light up otherwise dark porches and patios. A motion-activated sensor also can be retrofitted to most existing light fixtures. As with landscape lighting, motion-activated lighting is affordable and easy to install.

If you have a large area that requires much light and you want to accomplish it with a single fixture, a high-pressure sodium or mercury security light will do the trick. These fixtures pack a lighting punch. For example, a 70-watt sodium security light will illuminate more than 8,500 square feet, provide 6,300 lumens of light and last up to 12 times longer than a standard incandescent par floodlight. Add a built-in photo control and the light will automatically turn on at dusk and turn off at dawn with no timers or switches.

Lighting upgrades shouldn’t be limited to the exterior. You can improve safety and discourage prowlers by installing motion-activated lighting and timers inside, as well. For example, a motion-activated light switch can come in handy when you travel through a dark hallway with an armful of laundry.

Timers: Timers are still another means of improving safety, security and comfort. A standard wall switch can be replaced with a digital timer that will turn interior or exterior lighting off at predetermined times. What’s more, this style of switch will allow for random settings that give your home a lived-in look while you are away. A plug-in timer for a table lamp can also create the illusion of an occupied home and keep would-be intruders away. Timers are inexpensive and easy to install.

Besides providing improved safety and security, motion-activated switches and timers are highly energy efficient — especially if you have youngsters who frequently forget to turn lights off.

Smoke- and Carbon-Monoxide Detectors: There are other ways of upgrading the safety of your home during fall and winter. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire — and carbon monoxide. This slightly altered familiar phrase is particularly applicable during fall and winter when home fires increase due to fireplaces and home heating systems being at maximum use. Every home and family should be protected by one or more properly operating smoke detectors and carbon-monoxide detectors.

Many years ago building code required only one smoke detector in a home. Today, a smoke detector is required in each bedroom and on every level of a home. A carbon-monoxide detector is not a requirement, though the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that every home with fuel-burning appliances — including fireplaces — be equipped with at least one.

If your home doesn’t have smoke detectors, install them. If you have only one, such as in a hallway, install others in all bedrooms and in a central location on every floor of your home. A smoke detector is inexpensive and easy to install. A screwdriver, ladder and 15 minutes is about all you’ll need. The same holds true for carbon-monoxide detectors.

You can have a dozen smoke detectors and still end up with little or no protection. Recent studies have revealed that smoke detectors that are 10 years old, or older, have a high rate of failure and should be replaced.

A poorly maintained or dirty smoke detector is useless. Use a vacuum with an upholstery brush to prevent dust and dirt from building up in the mechanism. Test the device’s detector and alarm monthly to ensure that they both are working properly. The test button on the detector tests the alarm only. Striking three wooden kitchen matches, blowing them out and allowing the smoke to waft up toward the unit will test the detector. Another means of testing a detector is with an aerosol spray that simulates smoke. Change batteries at least twice annually, and more often, if necessary.

Carbon monoxide is the number-one cause of poisoning deaths in America. A CO detector is as easy or, in some cases, easier to install than a smoke detector. It can be battery operated, hardwired, permanently installed or can sit on a shelf or tabletop.             

“Welcome to Pennsbury”

Through its Outreach Committee, chaired by Diane Mateson, Townwatch is now supplying each new Pennsbury resident with a complimentary “Welcome to Pennsbury” information packet.

As the Township receives records of tax transfers, its personnel notify Diane of each new family’s arrival.  A packet is then sent to that family (or individual), containing a variety of useful information, including:

Our aim in this endeavor is to foster – early in their Pennsbury experience – the feeling among our newcomers that this is truly a community in which neighbors help neighbors.

***

”A Townwatch Community” Road Signs

We are sure you have all seen our road signs indicating Pennsbury is a Townwatch community.

There are nearly 50 of these signs throughout the Township – one at each road leading into the Township, and others at the entrances to subdivisions and major roadways.  These are placed, and maintained, through the generous efforts of Roadmaster Dave Allen’s Road Department; we believe them to be a significant deterrent to mischief or criminal activity, along with our patrol activities.

Should you notice a sign that is either missing, defaced or obscured by weeds or bushes, please either contact Dave (610-388-9180) or leave a message on the Townwatch phone (610-388-0785).

***

Driving Safely – Five Safety Tips Most Forgotten

  A vehicle can be a dangerous piece of equipment if you are not prepared to drive safely.  Drivers that get behind the wheel of a car need to learn to respect that vehicle for what good and bad it can do for your life.  When you first get behind the wheel of a car or truck when you are sixteen or so, you realize how big a car is, and how overwhelming the situation really is.  As you get older, your confidence builds and driving becomes a second nature for most of use. Will