SCHOOL TRAFFIC SAFETY Mt. Lebanon police have been receiving an increased number of complaints from parents picking up and dropping off their kids at school.
“Obviously, we don’t want to see a kid get hurt, but also, we don’t want to overly police the parents, either,” said Cpl. Ty Kegarise, supervisor of MLPD’s community outreach unit. “We know how hectic it is for the very brief time when they’re picking their kids up. The better we can educate people and get them to comply with the rules, the safer it is and it’s better for everyone.”
Each of Mt. Lebanon’s 10 schools have a “go zone,” marked with paint on the curb. Go zones are the spots for picking up and dropping off kids. Pull up as far as possible in the go zone, so other parents don’t have to pull around your vehicle. Don’t exit the vehicle, and make sure your child exits on the passenger side, away from traffic. For more complete information, check out our How to Lebo video on go zones [1].
CHILD CAR SAFETY A large majority of child restraints are improperly installed in vehicles. Medical Rescue Team South Authority (MRTSA) has three certified child passenger safety technicians on staff who will perform free child seat inspections and installations. Schedule an appointment at www.mrtsa.com [2].
SMOKE ALARMS The days of changing smoke alarm batteries twice a year are on the way out. Manufacturers are producing alarms with sealed, non-replaceable batteries that can last up to 10 years. It’s still a good idea to test your alarm every month, and if you need help installing or checking smoke alarms, the Mt. Lebanon Fire Department will send a firefighter to your home for a consultation. Call 412-343-3402 or visit the fire department’s “For Residents” section of mtlebanon.org/fire [3]. See a How to Lebo video on smoke alarms [4].
SUPPORT FOR SPECIAL OPERATORS Registration is open now for Joggin’ for Frogmen [5], a 5K run at Mt. Lebanon High School that benefits families of fallen Navy SEALs and other special operations warriors. Aside from Navy SEAL bases in Virginia and California, Mt. Lebanon is the only location for this fundraiser, organized locally by volunteer firefighter and former SEAL Brian Loughridge. The race starts at 8 a.m., Saturday, May 18, and is open to runners and walkers. Kids age 6 and under can participate in the Tadpole Trot, which will follow the 5K race, with an after party at Spoonwood Brewing.
DROP OFF YOUR DRUGS Mt. Lebanon is partnering with Medical Rescue Team South Authority (MRTSA) and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency for a Drug Takeback Day, Saturday, April 27. Details were still being finalized at press time. You can bring expired or unwanted medications to a dropoff point and the DEA will take them for incineration.
However, you don’t have to wait for the takeback day to get rid of unneeded medications. Both the police department and MRTSA have 24/7 dropboxes at their headquarters. You can bring them to the rear entrance of the Mt. Lebanon Public Safety Center, 555 Washington Road, or MRTSA headquarters, 315 Cypress Avenue, at your convenience. The dropboxes have proven to be so successful that the police and medics are considering phasing out the dedicated takeback days.
“Since we got the dropbox, takeback day numbers have been falling off,” said Kegarise. “The first few times we did the events, we had a lot of people show up, and we were taking thousands of pounds of drugs to turn in, but the last two years we’ve done it, there has not been much.”
The DEA schedules two takeback days a year, usually on the last Saturdays in April and October. Kegarise said the October day always coincides with Mt. Lebanon’s Pumpkin Patch Halloween Parade, and it stretches the community outreach unit thin.
“The bin gets used a lot,” he said. “People pop in all hours of the day, and we have to empty the bin every two or three months. So you don’t need to hold onto (medications) for a year.”
TAKIN’ IT TO THE STREETS For months, you’ve been waiting for the snow to quit snowing and the temperatures to become temperate, so you can finally take the bike out of the garage. A helmet’s a good idea, as is a mirror, and even a flashing light. If you’re cycling after sundown, you are required to use a front headlight and a rear reflector. Be sure to give plenty of warning before making any turns, and it’s actually safer to ride your bike in the middle of the lane, instead of staying close to the edge.