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NJ TRANSIT is Currently Experiencing Heat-related Rail Equipment Issues

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, due to the extreme temperatures, NJ TRANSIT is currently experiencing heat-related rail equipment issues affecting the air conditioning units and other electronic components. As a result, customers may experience delays, and it may be necessary to cancel or combine select trips for the next 48-72 hours. Our rail maintenance crews are working around the clock to make the necessary repairs and restore affected equipment to revenue service as quickly as possible.

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Playing Restrictions Based on Surface Temperature of Artificial Turf at RHS & Stevens?

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he staff of The Ridgewood Blog

Ridgewood NJ, during Monday night’s Ridgewood, Board of Education meeting, the subject of surface temperatures on artificial turf playing fields came up, which led to a somewhat robust discussion.

Continue reading Playing Restrictions Based on Surface Temperature of Artificial Turf at RHS & Stevens?

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Survey Says: 1.1 million New Jerseyans will wait until temperatures reach freezing before turning on the heaters

Snow Blizzard of 2016 Ridgewood CBD

file photo by Boyd Loving

  • 1 in 5 New Jerseyans will wait until yesterday December 11th before warming their homes. 
  • Tips provided on how to keep costs down this winter.  
  • Interactive map included.

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, winter is coming, in the inimitable words from Game of Thrones, and that means only one thing: it’s about to get colder. With energy prices, inflation and therefore the cost of living on the rise, it is no surprise that many Americans are tightening their belts and cutting their spending. Usually when this happens, it is purchases of non-essential items that are reduced – perhaps trips to the movies, dining out and gym memberships. It appears, however, that millions of Americans will also be cutting back on essential things in life such as heating, in order to save some money.

Continue reading Survey Says: 1.1 million New Jerseyans will wait until temperatures reach freezing before turning on the heaters

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NJ State Regulators Approved Double-digit Rate Increases for PSE&G Natural Gas Customers

Snow Blizzard of 2016 Ridgewood CBD

file photo by Boyd Loving

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj, with long-term weather forecasts predicting a cold winter ahead and home energy costs escalating dramatically, Senator Joe Pennacchio is working to give New Jersey residents a break with a new bill that would suspend the state sales tax on gas and electricity to heat homes.

Continue reading NJ State Regulators Approved Double-digit Rate Increases for PSE&G Natural Gas Customers

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Gas Fireplace Vs Wood Fireplace: Which one is suitable for you?

Gas Fireplace Vs Wood Fireplace

The feeling of warmth and comfort that a fireplace brings is undeniable. They add coziness, intimacy, and opportunities for lots of fun. A fireplace can do many things for you besides heating the home. It does indeed provide warmth, but nothing is as comforting as sitting in front of a fire and relaxing. A fireplace adds some elegance and class to the room and an added sense of luxury and style. It can be a focal point of the room or incorporated into a mantle.

Continue reading Gas Fireplace Vs Wood Fireplace: Which one is suitable for you?

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CDC: Tips for Preventing Heat-Related Illness

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Wear Appropriate Clothing: Choose lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.

Stay Cool Indoors: Stay in an air-conditioned place as much as possible. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library—even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. Call your local health department to see if there are any heat-relief shelters in your area.

Continue reading CDC: Tips for Preventing Heat-Related Illness

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KEEP YOUR FURRY FRIENDS SAFE THIS FOURTH OF JULY

ridgewood 4th parade rescuedogs theridgewoodblog.net

July 3,2013
Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital

Ridgewood NJ , Many pets are sensitive to loud noises and bright lights, like those in a firework display or a thunderstorm. Because they have more sensitive hearing than us, even a distant firework boom can trigger a “flight or fight” response. If they are outdoors, they will run for miles from the noise at once, even through traffic. They may even break through or dig under fences if necessary since it is quite frightening for them. Once far away from your care, they are most susceptible to being hit by a car or suffering from heatstroke.

Make sure your animals have identification and/or a microchip in case they do run away. When walking your pet, keep a tight grip, as a loud noise may cause them to bolt. Keep them at home during the fireworks because besides scaring them, it is much too painful for their ears. Put your pet in the quietest room of the house and close the blinds so no flashes of light can be seen, which may startle them. To drown out any possible firework crackles and loud noises, you can turn the TV or radio on or play some soothing, classical music. If your pet gets particularly stressed during fireworks or thunderstorms, call to make an appointment to discuss this with one of our veterinarians. There are many things we can do to help, such as offer medication to them.

Whether attending fireworks or not this holiday, it’s a hot time of year, so it is best to keep your pets indoors, in a cool place with plenty of fresh water. If you happen to be traveling to a party, do not leave your pets in the parked car, as it can reach 150 degrees in minutes.

Make this a safe, healthy and happy holiday with your pets. Wish you all a very Happy July 4th from the doctors and staff of Ridgewood Veterinary Hospital!

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The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued an Air quality alert from 10 AM Monday until 10 PM Monday

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June 12,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, once again we have  an Air quality alert is in effect from 10 AM Monday until 10 PM Monday(tonight).

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued an air quality action day for the following counties…

Eastern Bergen…Eastern Essex…Eastern Passaic…Eastern Union… Hudson…Western Bergen…Western Essex…Western Passaic…Western Union.

An Ozone Action Day has been declared! Ozone is forecast to reach the unhealthy for sensitive groups category across New Jersey due to hot and humid conditions with adequate sunshine. Sensitive individuals including the very young, the elderly, and persons with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the afternoon and early evening hours.

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Air quality alert is in effect from 10 AM Sunday until 10 PM Sunday

Graydon Pool Ridgewood

…Air quality alert is in effect from 10 AM Sunday until 10 PM
Sunday…

…Air quality alert is in effect from 10 AM Monday until 10 PM Monday…

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued an air quality action day for the following counties…

Eastern Bergen…Eastern Essex…Eastern Passaic…Eastern Union…Hudson…Western Bergen…Western Essex…Western Passaic…Western Union.

An Ozone Action Day has been declared! Ozone is forecast to reach the unhealthy for sensitive groups category across New Jersey due to hot and humid conditions with adequate sunshine. Sensitive individuals including the very young, the elderly, and persons with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the afternoon and early evening hours.

The Graydon Pool summer season opened Saturday, June 3rd!   You will be able to purchase a day pass or a season pass by credit card, cash or  check.  Details are on the Graydon Pool website.

AMENITIES at Graydon Pool : Accessibile ramp for entry into the pool, Spray fountains, Adirondack chairs & Shade systems; Volleyball & Basketball Courts; Recreational Games of Shuffle Board, Four Square, Hop Scotch and Ping-Pong; Picnic Tables and Charcoal Grills; Shaded Playground and Sitting areas for Parents with young ones; The Water’s Edge Cafe – Open daily Noon to 7PM.

PROGRAM OFFERINGS: Instructiojnal Swim/Fitness for children and adults; Competitive Graydon Swim Team , ages 8 – 17; Stand Up Paddleboard, Beach Yoga, Kayaking Introduction; Storytime Under the Pavilion; Movies on the Beach; Live Concerts Monthly.

COME ENJOY THE FUN!

 

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PSE&G Says Customers to Pay Less to Heat Their Homes This Winter

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Bill credits will save typical customer $124 over three months

Annual bills down 55 percent since 2009 due to falling natural gas prices

November 23,2015

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G), New Jersey’s largest utility, announced today that it will provide bill credits this winter that will lower bills by about 30 percent during the months of December, January and February for a typical residential gas heating customer. Those customers will see a total bill credit of approximately $124 this winter.

Including this winter’s bill credits announced today, since January 2009 annual bills for PSE&G’s typical residential gas heating customer will be 55 percent — or $916 — lower due to supply rate reductions. In fact, PSE&G’s gas supply rate is at its lowest in 15 years.

“I can’t think of any other commodity that costs 55 percent less today than it did in 2009,” said Jorge Cardenas, PSE&G vice president of asset management and centralized services. “Falling natural gas prices, our transportation and storage capabilities, and the way we manage our contracts have enabled us to pass these savings along to our customers as the temperature drops.”

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Keep Your Pet Safe, Healthy During Hot Weather

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Posted July 21, 2015

Summer weather can pose certain dangers for your pets. The American Red Cross has some steps people can take to keep the family pet safe and healthy this summer.

The first step is to know what is normal for your pet – their gum color, heart/pulse rate, body temperature and breathing rate – so you can recognize when something is wrong.

Heat stroke is a problem for pets in the warmer weather and is more common in the early summer because pets are not yet acclimated to the warm weather. Dogs with short noses or snouts, like the boxer or bulldog, are prone to heat stroke. This is also true for any obese pet, a pet with an extremely thick fur coat or any pet with upper respiratory problems.

Some signs your pet may be developing heat stroke include heavy panting and being unable to calm down, even when lying down. Their gum color may be brick red, their pulse rate may be fast, or they may not be able to get up. If you suspect your pet has heat stroke, take their temperature rectally. If the temperature is above 105 degrees cool the animal down. The easiest way to do this is by using the water hose. Stop cooling the animal when the temperature reaches 103 degrees. Bring your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible as heat stroke can lead to severe organ dysfunction and damage.

As the weather gets nicer, many pet owners take their pets in the car with them. Do not leave your pet in the car, even for a few minutes. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees.

Pet owners also need to be aware that animals may try to get out a window or door, which are more likely to be open as the weather warms. And some plants in your garden can be hazardous to animals. For instance, many lilies are very poisonous to cats. Visit the ASPCA Poison Control information to find out which plants and flowers are poisonous to animals.

You can download the Red Cross Pet First Aid app to have veterinary advice in the palm of your hand. The app features first aid steps for more than 25 common pet situations and identifies common substances that are toxic to animals.

 

https://www.redcross.org/news/article/Keep-Your-Pet-Safe-As-Temperatures-Rise

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PSE&G Readies for Another Arctic Blast

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file photo by Boyd Loving

PSE&G Readies for Another Arctic Blast
January 21, 2014

Additional crews and equipment on hand to restore service and keep homes warm(NEWARK, NJ – Jan. 21, 2013) Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G), New Jersey’s largest electric and gas utility, is preparing for another round of freezing temperatures and accumulating snow that will affect its service territory beginning today.Snow, by itself, does not pose a serious problem for utilities, but heavy snow, icing and strong winds can increase the possibility of downed wires and associated power outages. Vehicles striking utility poles can also cause wires to come down. To respond to any electric outages, PSE&G has additional equipment and personnel on hand.The utility is monitoring its gas system and taking steps to ensure it can meet the demands of customers. These steps include maintaining and adjusting pressure at various points in our system. PSE&G also has extra gas personnel on hand to respond as quickly as possible and handle emergency heating requests.

As low temperatures and snowy conditions blanket the area, PSE&G offers the following tips:

CUSTOMERS WITH INSUFFICIENT OR NO HEAT

In many cases, customers are calling because of insufficient heat – their furnaces are working but are having difficulty handling the lower temperatures.  Although the company is sensitive to customers’ heating inquiries, insufficient heat is not always caused by defective heating equipment. The colder it is outside, the harder the heating system must work to satisfy the same thermostat setting.  The heat loss in a home may exceed the output capacity of the heating system.  At times like these, the room temperature may not reach the thermostat setting, especially if the thermostat is raised to a higher than normal setting.  Customers can comfort themselves by doing the following:

Seal up openings around and under doors and windows
Make sure all storm windows are down and tightly closed
Lower thermostats serving unused rooms
Close dampers in unused fireplaces
Move furniture and drapes away from heating registers, radiators, and baseboard element covers
Open any register or baseboard dampers
Warm air systems – replace dirty/clogged air filters
Steam systems – check for sufficient water levels in the sight glass

FOR SAFETY’S SAKE

Be cautious when using space heaters.  Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions and heed warning labels. Be sure all members of the household understand how to operate space heaters safely.
Don’t try to use a gas oven or range to heat a room – the appliance will deplete oxygen from the air, causing asphyxiation or deadly carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide (CO) — an invisible, odorless, tasteless and non-irritating gas — is the leading cause of accidental poisoning in the United States.  Natural gas, oil, propane, coal or wood, produces CO.
The first line of defense against CO poisoning is to make sure all your fuel-burning appliances operate and are maintained properly.  These appliances include gas and oil furnaces, water heaters, gas ranges, space heaters, and gas clothes dryers.  Improperly vented fireplaces and charcoal grills can also give off CO.
Invest in carbon monoxide detectors as back-up protection, not as a substitute for proper use and maintenance of the fuel-burning appliances.  CO alarms can provide an early warning to consumers before CO builds up to a dangerous level.  The US Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends placing a carbon monoxide alarm in every area of the house. If just one alarm is installed, it should be placed near the sleeping rooms of the house.  If you already have one, remember to check the batteries regularly.
If you are calling for service, please make sure that your walkways are clear of snow and ice for safe access by our employees.

KEEP YOUR GAS METER AND APPLIANCE VENTS CLEAR OF SNOW AND ICE

You can help keep your natural gas supply flowing by keeping your meter free of snow and ice. If you are a natural gas customer whose gas meter is on the outside of your home or business, please take the following precautions:

Clear snowdrifts away from the meter and piping.
Do not pile snow on top of the gas meter or around its connecting piping when you are shoveling your premises.
Brush snow from the meter and piping before a thick layer of ice builds up.
Clear snow from dryer vents to prevent fumes from backing up into your house.

IF YOUR METERS ARE SCHEDULED TO BE READ

While we always try to obtain an actual reading, occasionally it’s necessary to estimate a reading to ensure the safety of our employees. Ways that you can help us keep our employees safe and avoid estimated bills:

Ensure walkways and entrance ways are cleared of snow and ice.
Ensure a clear pathway to the meter.
Secure pets while meters are being read.
Utilize our Record-a-Reading option or enter your reading on-line via the PSE&G website on www.pseg.com.

WHEN YOU DRIVE PAST OUR WORKSITES OR VEHICLES

Please slow down and be alert when driving past a PSE&G roadwork jobsite, especially in snowy, icy weather. Driving too fast can endanger employees and hamper their ability to perform important work. PSE&G crews use work area protection – traffic cones, utility work signs and flaggers – to protect them and to allow them to do their jobs safely.  Follow safe driving techniques to prevent fender-benders or more serious collisions that could delay our service technicians as they respond to customer calls or emergencies.

DOWNED POWER LINES

Accumulation of ice and heavy snow may weigh down power lines and as a result cause power lines to come down. Downed wires may appear dead but should always be considered “live.” STAY AWAY FROM ALL DOWNED LINES. Do not approach or drive over a downed line and do not touch anything that it might be in contact with. Parents are urged to check for downed wires in areas where their children might play and to remind the children to stay far away from any wires. If a wire falls on a vehicle, passengers should stay in the vehicle until help arrives. To report a downed wire, call 1-800-436-PSEG and tell PSE&G the nearest cross street.

CUSTOMERS WITH LIFE-SUSTAINING EQUIPMENT

Individuals who rely on electricity to operate life-sustaining electronic equipment, such as a respirator or dialysis machine, should pre-register with PSE&G to receive priority attention in the event of an outage. To request the service, call PSE&G at 1-800-436-PSEG. They should also inform their rescue squads and fire departments of their needs, in case of emergency. Even though customers with life-sustaining equipment who have registered with PSE&G will receive priority attention during outages, they should also have emergency back-up equipment on hand, since immediate restoration cannot be guaranteed.

IF YOU LOSE POWER

First check your neighborhood. If you are the only one without power, check your fuse box for tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses. If that’s not the problem, look outside at the wire between your house and the utility pole. If it is down, report it immediately to PSE&G.

To report downed wires or power outages, customers should call PSE&G’s Customer Service line at 1-800-436-PSEG. PSE&G uses an automated system to handle customer calls as efficiently as possible. Customers who get an automated response when calling PSE&G are encouraged to use it, as it is designed to route their calls to the right destination quickly. The system also provides the option to speak directly to a customer service representative. If you have specific information regarding damage to wires, transformers or poles, we ask that you speak with a representative to provide that information.

Customers with a handheld device, or who are at an alternate location with power, can also report power outages and view the status of their outage by logging in to My Account at pseg.com.

General outage activity throughout our service territory is available online atwww.pseg.com/outagecenter and updates are posted on pseg.com during severe weather.
The utility’s Twitter page also keeps the public informed about our restoration progress. Sign up as a follower at https://twitter.com/psegdelivers to monitor restoration progress. Customers also can register for text and email alerts at pseg.com/myaccount

GENERAL TIPS

Mother Nature can be unpredictable. It’s wise to have an emergency kit on hand year round. Here are some things to include:

A battery powered radio.
A corded telephone. (Cordless phones will not work if the power is out.)
Flashlights and extra fresh batteries.
A first-aid kit.
Bottled water and an adequate supply of non-perishable food.
A non-electric can opener.
Matches and candles with holders.
Extra blankets and sleeping bags.
A list of emergency phone numbers, including PSE&G’s Customer Service line: 1-800-436-PSEG. Call this number to report power outages or downed wires.

Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) is New Jersey’s oldest and largest regulated gas and electric delivery utility, serving nearly three-quarters of the state’s population. PSE&G is the winner of the ReliabilityOne Award for superior electric system reliability. PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a diversified energy company (