Borough Hall: Public Resources: Advisories

Pet Safety Tips
What To Do If Bitten By a Wild Animal
Flood Safety Tips
Free Firearm Safety Kits
Child Safety Seat Installation
Weathering the Storm
Kidprint Program

Pet Safety Tips

On an average summer day, the temperature of a car in the sun can reach an unbearable 160 degrees. Nine out of ten dogs die of heat prostration within 20 minutes, even with the windows partly open. If your dog is fortunate enough to survive, his heart and lungs can be permanently damaged - damage you cannot see, but which he must live with for the rest of his life. Your pet cannot perspire through his skin as people do; his lungs are his only cooling system. With nothing but overheated air to breathe, he cannot live very long. Please, if you love your dog, leave your pet at home in the shade.

Animal Bites

The Board of Health would like to inform you of the steps you should take in case you are scratched or bitten by a wild animal.

• Immediately clean the exposed area with soap & water.
• Contact a health care professional as soon as possible.
• Report the bite/scratch to the Board of Health.
• Contact the police and animal control agency regarding the capture of the animal.
• If possible, safely contain the animal, avoiding all contact.
• Avoid damaging the head of the animal so the brain tissue can be tested for rabies.
• If the animal escapes, you and your health care provider will decide the treatment plan to prevent rabies.
• Wild animals such as raccoons, skunks, bats, groundhogs, and fox are commonly affected. Rodents such as chipmunks, squirrels, rats and mice are rarely affected.

Flood Safety Tips

April 2008 marks the one year anniversary of the severe flooding that damaged several communities throughout the Garden State.  In a proactive effort to prepare all New Jersey residents and communities for any potential 2008 flooding, the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management would like to share the following flood preparedness tips:

Before a Flood

• Have a safety kit with drinking water, a first-aid kit, canned food, a radio, flashlight and blankets.
• Know safe routes from home, work and school that are on higher ground.
• Protect your property. Most homeowners insurance does not cover flooding. Make sure that your flood insurance policy is up to date.

During a Flood

• If flooding occurs, go to higher ground. Get out of areas subject to flooding. This includes dips, low spots, canyons, washes etc.
• Avoid areas already flooded, especially if the water is flowing fast. Do not attempt to cross flowing streams.
• Roadbeds may be washed out under flood waters. NEVER drive through flooded roadways. If your vehicle is suddenly caught in rising water, leave it immediately and seek higher ground.

After a Flood

• Do not turn electricity back on in your home if you detect gas or if the electrical system has been flooded.
• Clean and disinfect everything that was touched by floodwaters or mudflows, and throw out any affected foodstuffs.
• Follow directions from local officials regarding the safety of drinking water.

Through teamwork, coordination, education and open communication we will better prepare our great state's residents for any disaster. For more information regarding flood preparedness, please feel free to contact the Office of Emergency Management at (609) 963-6933, or visit the NJOEM website at www.ready.nj.gov.

Free Firearm Safety Kits

Free firearm safety kits are available from the Demarest police department. The safety kits include a gunlock that fit most types of handguns, rifles and shotguns. Project ChildSafe, a program developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, will distribute millions of firearms safety kits throughout the country. The program is funded by a United States Department of Justice grant, with additional funds provided by the firearms industry. Please stop by the police department for your free firearm safety kit.

Child Safety Seat Installation Now Available

The Demarest Police Department is now proud to announce a new program designed to ensure your child's safety while in transit. The new program is the work of Deputy Chief James Brower who took the initiative to send Sgt. Kenneth Griffin to a 5 day training program that taught him the proper techniques to safely install infant car seats and child booster seats.

Under New Jersey State Law all infants must be transported in an approved infant car seat facing to the rear of the vehicle until the age of 1. In addition, Child under 80 lbs. must be transported in approved booster seats.

If you would like any additional information regarding Child Safety Seat Law or would like to have your infant or child safety seat installed by Demarest Police Department you may call Sgt. Kenneth Griffin at 201-768-1546 X60 and make an appointment.

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Weathering the Storm

Advance Preparations

Have a portable radio and a supply of fresh batteries on hand.

Store flashlights and extra batteries in a place easily reached by everyone.

Keep a list of emergency numbers near the telephone, make sure that your cellular phone battery is fully charged. Your vehicle charger will also charge your cellular phone. NEVER run your vehicle in the garage.

If you have an all-electric kitchen, have another method of cooking available. NEVER use charcoal inside.

Know the location of your electric circuit box and how to switch the power on and off. You may have to check to see if the problem is internal in your home.

Fill several clean containers with water for drinking, cooking, and washing.

Have clothes, coats, shoes, and any medications packed if you must leave your home. Make arrangements for your pets or take them with you if your are leaving the Borough.

If you have a generator, NEVER run the generator inside the house. Use caution when handling gasoline. You must have an outside disconnect on your electrical service only if your generator is wired directly into your house service. Reason is so that your generator power does not leak back into the outside power lines. You can use approved extension cords directly from your portable generator to power lamps.

Should the Borough of Demarest suffer a severe weather disaster and a declared emergency, the Emergency Management Shelter's are the Demarest Middle School located on Piermont Road or Northern Valley Regional High School located on Knickerbocker Road.

Sorry, PETS are not allowed in any Red Cross Shelters because of sanitary reasons.

Should you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact Lt. Arthur DeLuca Emergency Management Coordinator at 201-768-1546 X 56

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Kidprint Program Helps to Keep Kids Safe

Keeping kids safe is a priority for parents, law enforcement and schools. The Demarest Police Department is proud to announce a new method of protection being brought to the residents and schools of Demarest called "Kid Print". The new state of the art system will allow children to have their photograph and thumb print placed on a plastic card. In addition, important information including their name, address, date of birth, and individual personal information will be placed on a card similar to the size of a credit card. The benefits of these cards to parents and law enforcement will be enormous. The program will be made possible through funding from the Demarest Municipal Alliance. Ptl. William Bizink School Resource Officer and Ptl. Michael Smith D.A.R.E. Officer will launch the program in the near future. The Demarest Police Department is proud to offer this service to the community to ensure the safety of our most important community our children.

Should you have any additional questions regarding the "Kid Print System" please contact School Resource Officer William Bizink at 201-768-1546 X64 or D.A.R.E. Officer Michael Smith at 201-768-1546 X62.

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What's New?

The Demarest Nature Center's Annual Breakfast in the Woods will be held Saturday, June 14, from 9-11am near the Wakelee Field tennis courts. The trustees and volunteers on the Nature Center will be cooking a great breakfast at no charge. There will be live music and a live animal show following the breakfast. The photo contest winners will be announced. Please bring your own folding chairs. Rain date: June 15.

American Cancer Society's Relay For Life To Be Held In Old Tappan. The Relay For Life of Northern Valley, previously held at Northern Valley Regional High School, Demarest for the past three years has merged with this Relay to form a broader community event. Relay For Life of Old Tappan and Pascack Valley will begin 5:00 p.m. on June 13th and will end 7:00 a.m. June 14th. Sign up and learn more at www.events.cancer.org/ RFLoldtappanNJ.

Do you want your child to have a fun-filled summer? Then sign up now for the Demarest Summer Recreation Camp (click here). Our six week summer program is offered to children ages 4-11. Camp includes daily special events, arts and crafts, sports, water activities, trips and more! Some of our special events include Water Works Day, Ping Pong Tournament, Halloween in July and much, much more. Don't miss the fun, registration is taking place now.