Spring Forward, Fall Behind: Safety Notes from the Scarsdale Fire Department
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As the time change approaches on Sunday, November 3, the Scarsdale Fire Department wants to remind residents to make another change that could save their lives: Changing the batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
Communities nationwide witness tragic home fire deaths each year. An average of 75 percent of child fire fatalities occur in homes without working smoke detectors. Non-working smoke detectors rob residents of the protective benefits home fire safety devices were designed to provide. The most commonly cited cause of non-working smoke detectors is worn or missing batteries.
Changing smoke detector batteries at least once a year is one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce these tragic deaths and injuries. In fact, working smoke detectors nearly cut in half the risk of dying in a home fire. Additionally, the International Association of Fire Chiefs recommends replacing your smoke detectors every 10 years.
To save lives and prevent needless injuries in Scarsdale, the Scarsdale Fire Department has joined forces with Energizer and the International Association of Fire Chiefs for the 26th year of the Change Your Clock Change Your Battery® campaign. The program urges all Americans to adopt a simple, lifesaving habit: changing smoke detector and carbon monoxide batteries when changing clocks back to standard time each fall, this year on November 3.
"The peak time for home fire fatalities is between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most families are sleeping," says Fire Chief Thomas Cain. "Smoke detector maintenance is a simple, effective way to reduce home fire deaths. Children and senior citizens are most at risk, and a working smoke detector can give them the extra seconds they need to get out safely."
In addition, Chief Cain recommends residents use the "extra" hour they save from the time change to test smoke detectors by pushing the test button, planning two ways out of their home, and practicing escape routes with the entire family. Families should also prepare a fire safety kit that includes working flashlights and fresh batteries.
Tragically, fire can kill selectively. Those most at risk include:
- Children – Approximately 500 children under the age of 14 die each year in home fires.
- Seniors – Adults 75 and older are 2.8 times more likely to die in a home fire.
- Low-Income Households – Many low-income families are unable to afford batteries for their smoke detectors. These same households often rely on poorly installed, maintained or misused portable or area heating equipment – a main cause of fatal home fires.
Fire Department Installing Fire Hydrant Markers for Winter
On November 2, 2013 the Scarsdale Fire Department will begin installing red markers on every fire hydrant in the Village, to assist the Department in locating the hydrants during heavy winter snow accumulations. Installation of these highly-visible three-foot tall metal rods will be performed by career and volunteer firefighters working together to ensure that each of the nearly one thousand fire hydrants in the Village is properly marked. The flag markers will be removed by the Water Department in the spring during their annual hydrant maintenance program, to be re-installed again prior to the next winter.
These markers are being installed to enhance public safety. Fire hydrants serve an extremely critical role in the rapid and successful extinguishment of fire, and accumulated, drifting or plowed snow often results in difficulty locating hydrants, especially at night and/or during inclement weather. Precious time can be lost searching for a hydrant buried by snow, and the intent of these tall flag markers is to assist firefighters in locating the hydrant quickly.
Residents with fire hydrants on or near their property can assist the Fire Department in this regard by shoveling snow away from the hydrant. Clearing the snow away from your fire hydrant is a quick and easy way to assist the Fire Department toward helping you and your neighbors.
Please contact the Scarsdale Fire Department at 722-1215 if you have any questions.
Almost Business as Usual Following Fire at the JCC on Wednesday
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Fire broke out in the men's locker room at the JCC of Mid-Westchester around 5:15 pm on Wednesday, October 23, at approximately 5:15 p.m. The building was immediately evacuated and there were no injuries. Staff returned to the building at 8:15 p.m. The building was closed on Thursday and all programs at the facility were cancelled. To accommodate the many children that participate in the schools, The Early Childhood Center and Toward Tomorrow Program were housed at Beth El Synagogue Center in New Rochelle on Thursday with regular JCC teachers and staff.
"We are grateful that the fire was contained to the men's locker room and that everyone was evacuated safely," said Karen Kolodny, Executive Director. She added, "The JCC takes great pride in the safety and security measures that were followed, and we thank the many people that reached out to us in the aftermath of our fire. As we received emails, calls and visits of support, we were reminded of how comforting it is to be part of a strong community. We appreciate everyone's patience and loyalty as we return to normal operations." While most of the programs were back on schedule today, the pool and cycling will reopen tomorrow, Saturday October 25, 2013. Detailed information will continue to be updated and posted on the web site.
The JCC thanks the firefighters who were on the scene, the New Rochelle police and all the staff who helped to evacuate adults and children.
An Update from Market Lady Carol DeLisa
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Former Market Lady Carol DeLisa, the woman who brought the Farmers' Market to Scarsdale, sent a personal update to Scarsdale10583 and asked that we pass this vital information onto you. This past spring she received some devastating news: she was diagnosed with stage III ovarian cancer. Since then she has had surgery and an 18-week regimen of chemotherapy.
Here is what Carol would like to share with you about her journey.
"I have studied and researched everyday since this dreaded illness came into my life. I have started a Facebook page to simply allow myself the opportunity to vent when I was having a woe is me moment and believe me there were many. In 6 months we have over 3000 "Likes" on the page. This, page has saved me personally and set my wheels in motion. I started a not for profit foundation called "The EllaCris Women's Gynecolgical Foundation." We are dedicated to raising awareness of this cancer as there is no early detection. We are raising funds for research and individual hardship cases and holding fundraisers."
"We live in a pink word when it comes to cancer. However ovarian cancer is the sister to breast cancer. They travel hand in hand but women don't know this. Here are the "silent whispers" of ovarian cancer. This is a disease that is almost always caught in late stages. In over four decades there have been no advances for early detection. This needs to change."
Here are the symptoms of ovarian cancer:
- Persistent bloating
- Eating less and feeling fuller
- Abdominal pain
- Trouble with bladder and bowels
A Pap smear does NOT detect ovarian cancer so recognizing these early warning signs is your best chance of survival. If any of these symptoms persist for more then two weeks, see your doctor. Request a CA 125 test. It's far from perfect but it's all we have right now. If your doctor say's NO to this test, find a new doctor.
This illnes gave me a little belly bloat. I felt fine caring for a mother with late stage Alzeheimers. I had some acid reflux no big deal, after all caregiving is stressful. I'm healthy, I eat only organic, never smoked, drank, no recreational drugs EVER....what the hell, how could this happen to me?"
Check out her facebook page at www.facebook.com/IHateTheCWord
Scarsdale Girls Soccer Team Headed for the Playoffs
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Scarsdale Varsity Girls Soccer enters the final week of play with a winning season record of 10-4-1. Their last regular season game is Monday October 21 at Eastchester. The team has been led by three senior captains, Meerha Dheer (MF) , Ali Lonner(Goalie) and Erika Smith (Def) throughout the season. Head Coach Mindy Genovese (4th Year) and Assistant Coach Kiera Fox have been working the girls six days a week since August 19 to maximize their performance and experience on and off the field.
During the week of October 14, the Raiders went 2-1 with a win Tuesday on the road 2-1 against John Jay Cross River and at home Thursday 2-0 for the Senior Game and Breast Cancer Awareness versus Rye. On Friday, they encountered a tough North Rockland team on the road that is expected to be the number one seed at playoff time and lost 3-1.
The game against Rye was a fund raising effort for the team and contributions were donated to Breast Cancer Charities. The girls raised approximately $1000 for the cause through a bake sale, raffle and t-shirt sales and included future stars from the Scarsdale Youth Soccer Club in pregame ceremonies. In addition the seniors who were playing their last regular season home game were honored with their parents for their commitment and contribution to Scarsdale Soccer over the years. It is a tradition that all the team seniors start this game and this special day.
The seniors from the class of 2014 playing their last regular season varsity game at home include captains Meerha Dheer (MF), Ali Lonner(Goalie), Erika Smith (D) plus Annie Gevertz (F), Laura Cutlip (F), Stef Kastoff (D) and Sara Katz (D/M).
Update 10/24
Scarsdale Girls Varsity Soccer drew the #6 seed in the Class AA 2013 Section 1 playoffs. They will play on Saturday, October 26 at 2PM home at Turf Field at Scarsdale High against #11 Ursuline. The Raiders finished their season strong on Monday by beating Eastchester 2-1. The Raiders go into the playoff at 11-4-1.
Here is a summary of the Class AA Bracket:
Class AA-First Round: Saturday
All games at 2 p.m.
No. 16 White Plains at No. 1 North Rockland
No. 9 Port Chester at No. 8 Mamaroneck
No. 12 Yorktown at No. 5 Mahopac
No. 13 Ossining at No. 4 John Jay-East Fishkill
No. 14 Ketcham at No. 3 Horace Greeley
No. 11 Ursuline at No. 6 Scarsdale
No. 10 Suffern at No. 7 Arlington
No. 15 Clarkstown North at No. 2 Clarkstown South
Quarterfinals: Tuesday, 10/29
At higher seed, 3 p.m.
Semifinals: Thursday, 10/31
At higher seed, 3 p.m.
Finals: Saturday 11/2
At Arlington, 8 p.m.
Photos by Jon Thaler. See more game photos here.
Three New Fashion Retailers to Open in Scarsdale Village
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Fashionable woman in Scarsdale are soon to become even more so – with the opening of three fashion retailers in the Village. Empty storefronts will be brought back to life as these sellers of high-end clothing and accessories build out their new locations and bring tempting fashion finds to the Village.
Pookie and Sebastian plans to open their seventh boutique on East Parkway. A large sign has been up in the window for months and we can't wait for them to open. With four stores in Manhattan, one in Roslyn and another in Boca, they are opening their first Westchester location in the former Waterworks store on East Parkway. It's a large space that extends to Harwood Court allowing plenty of room for dresses, shirts, jeans, sweaters, formal wear, casual attire, jewelry, bags and accessories that will appeal to both moms and daughters in the 'dale. Check out photos of their merchandise on their Instagram page here.
Another fashion find, Green with Envy is moving from Armonk to a new location at 6 Harwood Court. They will offer the same designer jewelry and accessories that you'll find at Barney's or Bergdorfs but at much better prices. Look for brand name handbags, scarves, wraps and jewelry that will leave your friends "green with envy."
And if you don't want to buy new designer brands, you'll soon be able to get them slightly used at Second Time Around, opening on Spencer Place. The store is part of a large national chain of consignment stores that buys designer clothing and accessories in good condition, resells them and passes some of the proceeds back to the customer. In their words, it's "resale gone upscale."
They will purchase new or like-new items from customers and sell them at about 30% - 40% of their original value. If the tags are still on, the item will be priced at half of the price shown.
If your items sell you will receive 40% of the sale price – so though you're taking a hit on the sale, you're doing better than donating to Goodwill! You can also use the proceeds to buy more "slightly used" items and start the cycle again.
With these three new stores, shopping in Scarsdale Village will soon be lots more fun. Watch for them and tell us anything you know about the newcomers in the comments section below.
