Summer

Children's Safety

It is in every parent’s interest to keep his or her children safe at all times. We tend to associate safety with areas in which we are most familiar, like our home, but did you know that about 4.5 million children are injured at home every year?

Pet Safety

Care And Control of Your Pets Keeps You, Your Pets and Our Community Safe

Pets provide companionship, friendship, security, and are loyal to their owners. With pet ownership, however, comes responsibility to pets as well as neighbors. Our community Resident Guide, provided to you at the time you leased your home, lists some of the specific rules for pet care, limitations and responsibilities of pet owners.

• Owners are responsible for the behavior of their pets and must assure their pets do not become a nuisance or menace to other pets, persons, or property.
• As a pet owner, you have a responsibility to ensure your pet is immunized.
• Authorized animals are limited to most breeds of dogs, cats, guinea pigs, domestic rabbits, white mice and white rats (from the USA), and caged birds or fish in bowls or aquariums.
• No more than two pets (besides those in cages or aquariums) per household are allowed.
• The following animals are some of the pets not authorized in our community:
• Wild, exotic, or undomesticated
• Pit bull breeds of dogs (American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire bull terriers, etc.) and Rottweilers. There are other unauthorized breeds. Contact our office or check our resident guide for more information. Any dog which is a percentage of pit bull or Rottweiler, up to half-breed dogs of these types are also prohibited.

Safe Pet Ownership Means Being a Responsible Pet Owner

• Pet owners are responsible for control of their pets.
• For safety reasons, it is important to secure all pets prior to a scheduled maintenance visit from the your maintenance team.  Pets should be kept in an area that does not require maintenance attention throughout the duration of the appointment.  Thank you for your cooperation.  Add a comment on controlling pets during maintenance service calls and a similar comment for the Facebook section.
• Owners may be directed to permanently remove any animals displaying unprovoked vicious behavior such as lunging at people, continuous growling, biting, fighting, etc.  
• For the safety of your pet, animals may not be left alone in a home, garage, carport, or back yard for more than 12 hours without pet sitter attention.  
• Microchip your pet. Microchipping your pet means a greater chance that you and your pet will be reunited if your pet gets lost.
• Always make sure your dog is on a leash when outside of a fenced yard, always provide water and shelter for pets and ensure dogs and cats have a collar with an updated phone number and home address.

Make Sure You Keep Harmful Substances Away From Your Pet

If you think your dog or cat may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, contact your veterinarian immediately. They will need to know what the dog has eaten, approximately how much, and when the dog ate the substance in order to determine the best course of action.

View more tips and information on pet safety at: Association of Professional Dog Trainers

Heat Safety

• Slow down on strenuous activity and exercise, especially during the sun's peak hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Exercise should be done in the early morning between 4 to 7 a.m.
• If possible, stay out of the sun and stay in air-conditioning. Sunburn slows the skin's ability to cool itself. The sun will also heat the inner core of your body, resulting in dehydration. If you must go outdoors, when the in the sun wear sunscreen with a high sun protector factor rating (at least SPF 15) and a hat to protect your face and head.
• Dress appropriately. When outdoors, wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing that will cover as much skin as possible. Lightweight, light-colored clothing reflects the heat and sunlight and helps maintain normal body temperature. Cover as much skin as possible to avoid sunburn and over-warming effects of sunlight on your body.
• Stay indoors as much as possible. If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor, out of the sunshine. Even in the warmest weather, staying indoors, out of the sunshine, is safer than long periods of exposure to the sun.
• Drink plenty of fluids, particularly water (at least 2-4 glasses of water per hour during extreme heat), even if you do not feel thirsty. Your body needs water to keep cool. Avoid beverages containing alcohol or caffeine.
• Never leave children, pets, or those who require special care in a parked car or vehicle during periods of intense summer heat. Temperatures inside a closed vehicle can reach over 140 degrees Fahrenheit quickly. Exposure to such high temperatures can kill within a matter of minutes.

Sources: www.semo.state.ny.us

Insect Bite and Sting Prevention

A few everyday habits can help protect you from insect bites and stings at home and around the community. Cover exposed skin, use insect repellent as directed, and check your surroundings before settling in outdoors.

Check Before You Settle In

Take a quick look around patios, play areas, and picnic spots before spending time outside. A little awareness goes a long way:

• Look for insect activity around seating, railings, roof edges, and outdoor equipment.
• Keep your distance from nests, hives, and ant mounds. Never poke, kick, or disturb them.
• Wear closed-toe shoes outdoors rather than walking barefoot through grass.
• Choose another spot if you notice insects repeatedly entering a hole or gathering nearby.
• Leave nest removal to trained pest-control professionals.
• Let your community office know about nests or ant mounds near shared spaces.

Keep Biting Insects Away

Mosquitoes can bite during the day and at night. Use a few layers of protection whenever you head outside:

• Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when practical.
• Choose an EPA-registered insect repellent, and follow the label for application and reapplication.
• Apply sunscreen first and repellent second. Keep repellent away from eyes, mouths, cuts, and skin under clothing.
• Don’t rely on mosquito repellent to prevent bee or wasp stings. Give stinging insects plenty of space.

Make Your Outdoor Space Less Inviting

Standing water gives mosquitoes a place to breed, while uncovered food and trash can attract stinging insects.

• Once a week, empty and scrub water-holding items such as flowerpot saucers, buckets, birdbaths, and outdoor toys.
• Keep food and drinks covered, clean up after outdoor meals, and close trash-container lids.
• Keep window and door screens in good repair, and report damaged screens to your community office.

Take Extra Care with Children

Help children enjoy outdoor time with clothing, supervision, and repellent used according to the label. Use mosquito netting over strollers and baby carriers, and teach children to leave nests and ant mounds alone.

Know What to Do Around Stinging Insects

• Stay calm if a single bee or wasp flies nearby. Avoid swatting at it.
• If several insects attack, get away quickly and go indoors or into an enclosed vehicle.
• After a bite or sting, move to a safe spot. Wash the area with soap and water, use a cold compress, and avoid scratching.
• Call 911 right away for trouble breathing, swelling of the tongue or throat, faintness, or widespread hives after a sting.
• If you have a prescribed epinephrine auto-injector, carry it and follow your clinician’s emergency plan. Emergency care is still needed after using it.

Spot a Concern? Let Us Know

See a nest, ant mound, damaged screen, or standing water in a shared area? Please contact your community office and share the location. Keep your distance and leave treatment to authorized professionals.