From the Desk of Former Mayor Malinda Miles

It has been two years since I decided to remove myself from the political scene in Mount Rainier, MD, Prince George's County, and the State of Maryland. Holding the lofty position of Mayor was such a great honor, but as the years flew by, I realized that it was time to do something else -- get a life.! I did, and still continue to provide resources to the residents through The Front Porch Ministries (TFPM). Real people pass through The Front Porch Ministries weekly. LIFE is good.

Friday, November 30, 2007

Holiday Safety Reminders

Holiday Season Safety
Just a few friendly reminders and tips!

Stress- The holiday season is one of the most stressful times of the year and you can’t afford to stress. Relief is on the way if you follow a few simple procedures: First, make sure to allow yourself enough time to shop rather than hurry through stores and crowded parking lots. Limit your number of errands per day so you do not get overwhelmed. When shopping at the mall make sure to make several trips out to the car to drop off packages. This will help you get some fresh air and give you two free hands. Most importantly, find the time to relax in between shopping adventures andtake nice DEEP BREATHS!

Decorations- Make sure that all decorations are flame retardant -- check the labels. Cotton snow is usually flame retardant but if you add artificial snow from a spray can to the cotton snow it is highly flammable. Use with caution. Also, make sure to read the cautions on decorations. Most sprays, like the spray snow, can irritate the lungs if inhaled.

Fireplaces- Make sure your chimney has been inspected before you use it. Have chimneys inspected annually, and cleaned if necessary, by a qualified professional chimney service technician. This reduces the risk of fires and carbon monoxide poisonings due to build-up or obstructions in the chimneys. When using your fireplace, do not burn evergreens or wreaths because they are likely to flare out of control and cause flames and smoke to enter the room. Lastly, do not burn wrapping paper because it often contains metallic materials which are toxic if burned. For more information on chimney safety, visit http://www.csia.org/

Toys and Gifts- When choosing gifts for small children be aware of what the toy truly looks like. If the toy has any pieces that are small enough to swallow, refrain from buying them. Avoid toys with small parts that can be broken or pulled off. If you are buying gifts for a large family with different age children, keep in mind that they all normally end up playing with each others toys.

Holiday Plants- Small children like to put everything in their mouths so please be cautious when buying and displaying plants. Many plants, if ingested, can cause severe stomach problems. These plants include: mistletoe, holly berries, Jerusalem cherry, and amaryllis.

Mayor Malinda Miles

As a long-time resident of Mount Rainier and a homeowner, it is important to me that municipal government be inclusive of all of its residents. It is equally important that information be communicated through all possible channel so that residents can get involved. It is also important for residents to volunteer and serve on committees, commissions, boards and task forces. I truly believe that municipal government is the government closes to the people, and as such should be easily accessible. This BLOG is another effort to reach out to the residents of Mount Rainier.