By  Mayor JoAnn B. Seghini

Midvale - We are in the midst of the holiday season.  There are several things that we may all consider to make sure that the holidays are happy and the New Year is one of celebration rather than one of sorrow.  There are several things that you can do to make sure that your holidays and your new year allow you to grow and celebrate.  When it comes to decorations use fire retardant materials.  Tinsel that we often put on trees can poison pets and small children.  Glass ornaments can be especially problematic for small children and pets.  Put such decorations on the higher branches as you decorate.  Also, be sure that candy snacks and especially chocolate candies are not set out so that dogs can get them.  A dog that eats chocolate needs treatment by a vet.  There are 24 hour vet services in the valley but they are very expensive.  Save your money and put chocolate away.  

Be careful and prevent fires.  Make sure that plugs are not overloaded.  A short can begin in the wall.  Do not leave electric cords under a rug or taped to the floor.  Turn off tree or decoration lights at night and when you are not at home.  Play it safe.  Also it is important to know that the best defense against a house fire is sleeping with the bedroom doors closed at night.  Should a fire start you will have time to get out safely.  Should your smoke alarm go off, touch the door to see if it is hot.  If it hot, do not try to escape that way.  Sit down with the family and talk about how you should exit the house should there be a fire.  Talk about getting out and where people should meet.  Remember fire drills at school?  Everyone met in a prearranged spot and everyone is counted.  Stay together so that the firefighters do not assume someone is missing and might be inside the building.  As a New Year’s resolution, do this several times a year or at least twice when you change your clocks.  

People travel during the holidays and we need to consider our driving habits.  We all should know that distracted driving can result in loss of life.  Keep your eyes on the road and watch the traffic around you.  Slow down if it looks like someone might change lanes.  Do not use a cell phone to call or to text.  This could cost you your life or can result in the death of someone else.  This year the highway patrol and all local police departments are going to be ticketing those who are distracted drivers.  Some will be impaired because they have alcohol, certain prescription drugs, or other drugs.  An impaired driver is not a safe driver.  When going to a celebration designate a driver who does not drink to get everyone home safely or call a cab.  Your celebrating should not kill you or anyone else.

Last but not least.  WEAR YOUR SEAT BELTS.  SEAT BELTS SAVE LIVES.  If you are an adult, set the example.  Your actions tell your families and friends that you care.  It amazes me to see adults make sure that their children are secure but then do not use a seat belt.  If you are this kind of  person you might consider writing down ways in which your surviving children will be cared for, who will take your place as a parent and how their futures will change.  If you find that you didn’t fasten your belt, pull over safely, secure your belt, and then continue your journey.

Do not drive if you are tired, if your eyes are not staying open, if you are exhausted.  Holidays can wear us out.  We want to get to our destination as soon as we can, we can keep going for another hour or two.  Don’t try.  Pull off the road, lock your car, and take a short nap.  Driving while drowsy is almost always fatal for you and for others on the road.  Have a safe trip but don’t take chances.

Midvale City employees wish you and yours a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a wonderful New Year.