It's a fact that's known far and wide Seat Belts Save Lives

The wearing of seat belts has long been known to be a major factor in saving lives in automobile collisions. We, the members of the PBA and The Somers PD, can cite any number of cases where injuries were minor when they could have been major if seat belts were not worn. Over forty thousand people die on the highways each year and an overwhelming number were not wearing seat belts. It may not have helped some, the crashes were too devastating to survive, but many would have survived had they been wearing seat belts.

SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAGS WORK PLEASE USE THEM AND ARRIVE ALIVE

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Some tips on road RAGE

1) Get off to an early start. We all know what it's like to be in a hurry, our natural response is to go faster. Wherever you need to go, leave early so that you allow yourself enough time to get there.
2) Let it go. If someone cuts you off, is tailgating or makes an unpleasant remark or gesture, don't stoop to his or her level. Be the better person and let it go.
3) Mind your manners. Treat other drivers with the same courtesy you would expect from them: Signal before changing lanes, don't tail-gate, maintain your speed limit and don't run red lights.
4) Keep your anger in check. Even the smallest amount of anger may result in aggressive driving.

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A word or two about SCHOOL BUS SAFETY

We have heard the tragic reports lately of accidents involving school buses. Some were determined to be caused by the driver or equipment failure but others were caused by vehicles passing school buses. When you drive your car or truck, it is most important to be aware of school buses picking or dropping off children. Whenever a school bus has the red lights flashing, you must stop from either direction.

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Defensive Driving

All of the things mentioned above are covered in the National Safety Council Defensive Driving Course. Besides the benifit of insurance premium reduction or drivers license points reduction, it just make you a better driver.‍

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Alarm systems

Make sure that the central office that answers your alarm has clear and precise directions to your house or location. Call them, ask what directions they have, make sure it is accurate. Remember it is your call that is being responded to by people who probably do not know where you live, with information provided by people who also don't know where you live. This is not the time to be wasting time. Minutes count. Clear and exact directions with a cross street and a clearly posted number can be vital. Also make sure your number can be clearly seen at night. If it is hard to see in daylight it may be impossible to see at night. Some of the calls we respond to are so time sensitive that seconds matter and any wasted time with poor directions and nonexistent house and building numbers is bad for all.

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Crime Prevention Tips
A small investment of time and money can make your home more secure and can reduce your chances of being a victim of burglary, assault, or vandalism. Get to know your neighbors. Watchful neighbors who look out for you, as well as themselves are a front line defense against crime.

CHECK THE LOCKS
In many residential burglaries, thieves walk in through an unlocked door or crawl through an unlocked window.

Make sure every external door has a deadbolt lock.
Secure sliding glass doors with commercially available locks or with a broomstick or wooden dowel in the track to jam the door if someone tries to pry it open. Insert a pin in a hole drilled in the sliding door frame that goes through to the fixed frame to prevent anyone from lifting the door off its track.
Secure double-hung windows by sliding a bolt or nail through a hole drilled at a downward angle in each top corner of the inside sash and part way through the outside sash. Secure basement windows as well.
Don't hide keys in mailboxes, planters, or under doormats. Give an extra key to a neighbor you trust.
If you've just moved into a new house or apartment, rekey the locks.
Lock garage doors. Don't depend on "the remote", codes can be copied.

CHECK THE DOORS

Locks aren't as effective if they're on flimsy doors.
Make sure all exterior doors are solid wood or metal.
Doors should fit tightly in their frames, with hinge pins on the inside.
Install a peephole or wide-angle viewer in all entry doors, so you can see who is outside without opening the door. Door chains are not a security device - they break easily and won't keep out an intruder.

CHECK THE OUTSIDE

To discourage burglars from selecting your home as their target, make sure to:

Prune back shrubbery that hides doors or windows. Cut back tree limbs that could help a thief climb into windows.
Light porches, entrances, and yards - front and back. Consider timers that turn on outside lights or install motion detectors.
Keep your yard well-maintained. Store ladders and tools inside your locked garage, basement, or storage shed when you're not using them.
Clearly display your house number so police and other emergency vehicles can find your home quickly.
Help the neighborhood stay in good shape. Dark alleys, broken street lights, abandoned cars, vacant buildings, graffiti, litter, and run-down areas attract crime. Work with the local government and neighbors to organize community clean-up days.
Put lights and a radio on timers to create the illusion that someone is at home when you go away. Leave shades, blinds, and curtains in normal positions. Stop the mail and newspapers, or ask a neighbor to take them in.

WHAT ABOUT ALARMS

If you have valuables in your home, or live in an isolated area or a neighborhood vulnerable to break-ins, consider an alarm system. Before you invest in alarms:
Many companies provide them. Check with several and decide what level of security fits your needs. Sources of information include your local police department, the public library, and the Better Business Bureau.
Learn how to use your system properly. If you continually set off false alarms, your neighbors will ignore the noise.

BURGLARS CAN TAKE MORE THAN YOUR PROPERTY

Burglars generally don't want to run into their victims. But if they're surprised by someone coming home or pick a home that's occupied, someone may get hurt.
If you see a screen slit, a window broken, or a door ajar, don't go in.
If you hear a noise in the night that sounds like someone breaking in or moving around, call the police and wait for them to come. Otherwise lock yourself in a room or, if the intruder is in the room, pretend to be asleep.