Governor George 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 safety tips that can make your holiday event free.

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 who 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.

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 one-half 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 ongoing 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.

The second half of village taxes, which were due and payable on Dec. 1, are normally subject to penalty if payment is not made within a 30-day grace period. This year the grace period has been extended to include Monday, Jan. 3, 2005 because the village offices will be closed Dec. 31. Any payments received after the close of business Jan. 3 will be subject to penalty. For your convenience, correspondence may be placed in the letter slot at the easterly entrance to village hall.

The deadline for applications for veteran's tax exemptions is Dec. 31. Applications cannot be accepted after that date.

Village offices will be closed Friday, Dec. 24, in observance of Christmas and will reopen Monday, Dec. 27, and will be closed Dec. 31 in observance of New Year's Day and will reopen Monday, Jan. 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 this Friday, Dec. 24, and Friday, Dec. 31.

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, particularly the snow, holds out until all trees and wreaths are collected.

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