December 2021 Magazine - 12/1/21

NE F L C A I . C OM

V OL .

9

|

I s s u e

No r t h e a s t F l o r i d a C h a p t e r C o mmu n i t y A s s o c i a t i o n s I n s t i t u t e

THE COMMUNITY CONNECTION

'Tis the Season

In This Issue: Safety Zone for Holiday Decor Holiday Landscaping Tree and Branch Responsibility Lightening Your Load Holiday Travel Holiday Fire Hazards Holiday Lighting Tips Construction Defect Risks with Holiday Decor Chimney Safety Hanukkah Candle Safety Rules for the Holidays

OF

THE

LIGHTS

4

upcoming events

contact information 10950-60 San Jose Blvd., #182 Jacksonville, FL 32223 ced@neflcai.com

2021 board of directors

President - Pilar Willis Dixon, CIC, CIRMS Brown & Brown Insurance President-Elect - Jesse Skinner, LCAM, CMCA Associa Secretary - Leslie Pragasam, LCAM, CMCA Vesta Property Services Treasurer - Cindy Dunlop Cogent Bank, SVP, Commercial Relationship Manager Director - Carmen Mazzeo, LCAM Homeowner Leader Director - Robin Braddock ServPro of Jacksonville Beach & Ponte Vedra

Commercial Insurance Trends & Best Practices: How Policy Coverages, Claims, Recovery and Resilience Affect Property Managers and Owners Presented by Mark D'Amico, First Coast Claim Consultants December 14, 2021, 12:00p-1:00p Virtual Via Zoom

CLICK HERE TO RSVP FOR 12/14

Save the Date for our Annual Meeting & Board Election January 12, 2022, 9:00a-10:30a Location TBD Registration & More Details Coming Soon

Board of Directors 2022 Slate - Up for Election

Catie Marks, May Management (MGR) Bob Chamberlain, Edgewater at Sunbeam (CAVL)

Board of Directors 2022 - Continuing Members (still serving their terms) Robin Braddock, ServPro of Jacksonville Beach & Ponte Vedra Cindy Dunlop, Cogent Bank Leslie Pragasam, Vesta Property Services Jesse Skinner, Associa Pilar Willis Dixon, Brown & Brown Insurance

Membership Carmen Mazzeo - Board Liaison Mary Price- Chair

Immediate Past President - David Robinson First Coast Mulch

Social Leslie Pragasam - Board Liaison Kyle Stoudenmire - Chair

Chapter Executive Director - Robin Miller NEFLCAI

Program Pilar Willis Dixon - Board Liaison Ed Ronsman - Chair

NEFLCAI provides education, networking, resources, and advocacy for Community Associations in Northeast Florida and the professionals who serve them.

EXPO Cindy Dunlop - Board Liaison Elle Walch - Chair

2021 committees If you're interested in being on a committee for 2022, we'd love to have you.

Please reach out to our Executive Director Robin Miller to get connected.

ced@neflcai.com

COMMUNICATIONS Leslie Pragasam - Board Liaison Robin Miller - Executive Director/Editor

letter from the president WRITTEN BY PILAR WILLIS DIXON, CIC, CIRMS BROWN & BROWN INSURANCE

Wow, it is hard to believe we are in the last month of 2021! Welcome, December! It has truly been my pleasure to serve as the Chapter President this year. As we have continued to navigate a pandemic, we have been successful in both virtual and face-to-face events. Thank you for your incredible support of me and the Chapter.

As we wrap up the year, I'm reminded of the Word Cloud our Board created during our Retreat this year about what CAI means to us.

Thank you again for an incredibly successful EXPO. We will reach out soon with the 2022 date for Spring or Summer.

Congratulations again to the winners announced at our Gala on December 2 (see page 4).

Be sure to sign up to attend our Annual Meeting/Elections on January 12 - details to follow regarding format/location.

And, if you're reading this and you're not yet a member, we hope you enjoy the 12 Days of CAI messages we are sending out this month. We can't wait to share the benefits about being a CAI member, and we may just have a special event to invite you to join.

Many wishes for a beautiful holiday with your friends and family.

Best, Pilar

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Articles in this publication are courtesy of individual and company contributors and are independent views of that company.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR

2021 AWARD WINNERS

BUSINESS PARTNER OF THE YEAR ROBYN SEVERS, ESQ.

CAM OF THE YEAR PATTY TRUAX STEWART

NEIGHBORHOOD OF THE YEAR EDGEWATER AT SUNBEAM

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR LESLIE PRAGASAM, CAM, CMCA

PRESIDENT'S AWARD ED RONSMAN, ESQ.

2020 PRESIDENT DAVID ROBINSON

2021 PRESIDENT PILAR WILLIS-DIXON

SAFETY ZONE FOR HOLIDAY DECOR

WRITTEN BY:CHARLES DEHLINGER DEHLINGER CONSTRUCTION

With the holidays approaching and everyone planning their festivities and decorations, oftentimes safety is not something people think about while decorating. We have compiled a list of items to think about when you or your residents are being festive!

1. Candles - Most people know to never leave candles unattended while burning but every year, fires ruin many family's holidays and homes from candles. If you like to light candles, make sure you keep an eye on them. Make sure they burn correctly and make sure they have ample space above them for heat to escape.

Do not put them directly under cabinets or hanging items that can absorb the heat and potentially catch fire!

2. Lights and Ladders - Everyone loves lighting up their home or condo with lights! It's a great way to be festive! Make sure when you're using a ladder to hang lights that the ladder is secure on flat ground. Try to have a helper hold the ladder base for you while on the ladder and hand you the items you need to hang while on the ladder. If you have a home with high peaks or the inside of your condo has high ceilings, consider hiring an insured professional to hang these lights for you. There are many holiday decorations companies out there and this is the time of year to give them a try!

3. Lighting and Electricity - Do not overload your electrical panel with too many lights trying to do your best Clark Griswold impression! Read how much current the lights you are hanging need and make sure you have ample power to supply them. Also, consider purchasing a timer for your lights so that they turn off

automatically! This will save you money and ensure they do not stay on too long.

4. Exterior Lighting - This is where most injuries occur during the holidays from decorating. See above on ladders and lights. Always make sure your ladder is secure before climbing up to hang lights. There are several ways to hang exterior lights - hooks, staplegun, nails, self-adhering hooks, etc. Hanging lights over nails or hooks will not look to be in a straight line as they will sag from the distance between nails. This is why many people use a staple gun over the light's chord to hang lights. This can be acceptable but ensure you do not staple through the chord and never reach too far, move the ladder! Staples are metal and can conduct electricity. Also remember that every hole you put in the exterior of your home can invite pests and/or moisture, neither of which are a great combination with wood.

5. Christmas Trees - Always make sure your tree has a solid base and is secure. This usually takes a helper to hold the tree while the base is secured.

Also keep in mind that everything you attach to a tree adds weight to it. Try to space out ornaments, ribbon, tinsel, etc., so one side of the tree is not heavier than the other! Don't ruin a family member's eggnog from a tree falling on them and make sure you have a secure base for that star on top!

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NEFLCAI - 2021 Platinum Sponsors Continued Click their logo to go to their website.

WRITTEN BY: JOSEPH BARNES YELLOWSTONE LANDSCAPE Getting your property “in the spirit” for the holiday season sets a fun and festive tone. While you might be

thinking

that

a

commercial

Christmas

light

installation is the only way to brighten your property, there are also some landscaping additions that you can make which will add holiday cheer.

Color is a huge factor in creating holiday cheer.

Flowers in shades of deep red, burgundy, and white have a natural holiday feel to them. We have used begonias to help get some of these colors into the seasonal rotation.

As with all your vendors, you want to make sure that your commercial landscaping company is thinking about

any

property

changes

during

the

that

might

holidays.

occur

Whether

on

you

your

are

a

retail property, an HOA, a hotel or resort, or any other commercial property, with the help of your landscaping partner, you can be set up to have a wonderful holiday season.

and landscaping tips that will help set you up for success this season.

There are some great plant choices that can be made to add holiday cheer to your seasonal flower course,

some

of

this

does

depend

upon where your property is located. If you are in a temperate climate, you’ll have a lot more choices when it comes to blooming plant material during the winter months.

Their crimson and white blooms make them naturally festive and we have done some really fun designs with poinsettias on our clients’ properties, including installing them in the shape of a candy cane by

But even just a row of poinsettias can go a long way in adding some festiveness to your property. It doesn’t have to be over the top to be seasonally festive.

1. Adding Holiday Cheer to your Seasonal Rotation

Of

have come to be associated with the holiday season.

alternating white and red.

We’ve rounded up some holiday decorating ideas

rotations.

Of course, everyone always wants poinsettias, as they

Color is one of the biggest factors that will add to the holiday spirit that you’re looking to achieve.

2. Considering the Best Container Plants for Holiday Color Container gardens can also go a long way in adding seasonal cheer to your property.

4 LANDSCAPE IDEAS CONT'D dramatic impact on the overall look of your holiday If you are not located in a warmer climate, some

decor. It’s a simple way to make a big statement.

creativity can help ensure these containers are still fun and colorful with additions like pine branches, pine cones, and berries. Even some holiday decorations like glass balls or other simple ornaments can be added to these containers for an additional touch of holiday cheer.

4. Connecting with Your Commercial Landscaping Partner Ahead of the Holidays In general, even if you aren’t having them implement any holiday decorating ideas, it may be a good idea to connect with your commercial landscaping company about any changes that will be occurring

Of course, if you’re keeping your container gardens

on your property.

indoors, you can use poinsettias within the design, too.

For one, if you’re going to have increased traffic because of holiday parties or events, holiday

Keep in mind that sometimes the indoor areas of a property can get overlooked when it comes to

shopping, or other related activities, you might want to ramp up your landscaping services.

seasonal additions. But locations like lobbies, child care drop-off areas, and common areas, are great places to add container plants with holiday color.

You’ll certainly want to make sure that your parking lots are clean and that no signage around your property is blocked by untrimmed branches.

These are also great locations for some seasonal decorations.

Increased traffic due to the holidays is always a good reason for some landscape clean-up not only for looks but for safety, too.

You don’t necessarily need to bring commercial holiday decor companies into the mix to set up these simple displays. Having your landscaping company create some seasonal containers and then adding your own decorations can go a really long way in generating some holiday cheer.

3. Adding Lighting to Your Water Features

Of course, if you are having a commercial Christmas light installation completed, you will also want to communicate this information to your landscape provider. Sometimes we need to coordinate our service schedules around that work.

We might also adjust or turn off irrigation zones so that they don’t cause any damage to decorations.

While holiday decor might have you automatically thinking about a commercial Christmas light installation, another festive way that we see properties “get in the spirit” is by lighting up their water features.

The same goes for the mowing crew on your property. It will be helpful for them to be aware of any light installation or seasonal decor being added to your property so that they can be extra careful around your seasonal additions.

In general, water features have been trending toward more elaborate designs. And now we are also seeing these features being lit in shades like green and red, or blue and white for the holiday season.

Working With Your Landscape Partner to Have the Best Holiday Season The holidays can be such a fun time of year and some holiday decorating ideas can help guests, tenants, visitors, and others to get the most out of

It is an inexpensive undertaking to change out a bulb to one that is red or green—and yet it has a

their time on your property.

4 LANDSCAPE IDEAS CONT'D Of course, making the best decisions and ensuring that your property is ready for the holidays can be made easier with the help of a landscaping partner on your side. You not only want your property to look festive and cheerful, but you also want to keep it neat and tidy while it’s seeing an increase in activity during this time.

And you certainly want it to be safe, too. With increased traffic on your property during this time of year, you don’t want any landscaping hazards to pose a threat.

Keeping up with the appropriate maintenance during this time of year will also be important. After all, though enhancements like seasonal flower rotations and container gardens are fun, if your property isn’t wellmaintained, you aren’t going to get the most value out of these additions.

There’s a lot to think about, but it doesn’t have to all fall on your shoulders.

It all comes down to setting you up for success. When you choose the right commercial landscape provider, you can gain confidence that your property is going to look its best not only during the holidays but during every season.

Responsibility for tree branches & roots

there was no right to file a negligence suit for the failure to keep a tree properly trimmed so that it does not extend over and onto another individual’s property.

With respect to nuisance, in a 1987 case, the Third District Court of Appeals found that the landowner is not liable to persons outside the land for a nuisance resulting from trees and natural vegetation growing on the land. Further, this Court found that the adjoining property owner can trim back, at the adjoining owner’s own expense, any encroaching tree roots or branches and other vegetation which has grown onto his/her property.

The Third District Court of Appeals held: “the underlying rationale for this well-settled law is that it is wiser to leave the individual to protect himself, if harm results to him from this exercise of another’s right to use his property in a reasonable way, that to subject that other to the annoyance, and the public to to the burden, of actions at law, which would be

WRITTEN BY: ELIZABETH A. LANHAM-PATRIE BECKER

likely to be innumerable and, in many instances,

Editor's Note: Before you even contemplate hanging

Accordingly, even if the trees located on another’s

holiday

property are the cause of the damage, the only

lights

on

your

outdoor

trees,

understand

who is responsible for those trees and branches.

purely vexatious.”

available remedy to the damaged property owner is to protect himself or herself by trimming any roots or

Who is responsible for a tree branch that perilously hangs over a neighbor’s house or yard? Who is responsible for tree roots that are damaging a sidewalk or driveway?

branches that encroach across the property line, at his or her own expense. Although the damage was caused by the trees, the owner of the damaged property remains responsible to repair and maintain his or her own property, and as such, liability does

Florida common law provides that a property owner (owner of the tree) does not owe a duty to remove or trim tree branches or roots or other vegetation encroaching onto neighboring property and does not recognize a cause of action for negligence or nuisance for failure to do so. Therefore, the owner of the tree will not be liable for the damage caused to a neighboring property.

With

respect

to

negligence,

in

1984,

the

Third

District Court of Appeals recognized a landowner’s right to cut off any intruding roots or branches at the property line. In light of this right, the Court held

not transfer to the tree owner.

WRITTEN BY: CINDY DUNLOP COGENT BANK

The holidays are in full swing which is meant to

No matter what is going on in your life, there are

bring good cheer, decadent meals, and merriment

always things to be thankful for. Finding reasons to

in many forms. It is a season of giving and good

be grateful will help put the stressors into

intentions. For many, however, it means added

perspective.

stress and box-checking to get through to January.

The following tips are to help you derive more

Selectively Social – Reach out and spend time

meaning this holiday season and disembark from

with those folks in your life who lift you up and “get”

the stress train:

you. By connecting with your tribe, you are filling your tank with good energy and fulfillment. Sure,

Why – Tune in and ask yourself why you are doing

there will be “must do” family time, but it will be less

something. Is it because you’ve always done it or

daunting if you have spent quality time connecting

because it is a part of the true meaning of the

with those who mean the most to you.

holidays for you and thus brings you fulfillment? If the answer is you’ve always done it that way, then

Say “No” – Tactfully, of course, but saying “no” is

don’t do it or delegate it. Skipping sending the

essential to your mental well-being. Make a point of

perfect Hallmark moment cards to way too many

not answering right away if you need to think about

people you’ve not talked with in years is okay. Truly!

it. “Let me get back to you on that” is an easy response to give yourself time to mull over whether

Good cheer – Make a point of finding things to

it is something you truly want to commit to.

laugh about every day. Listen to the Comedy channel, watch a funny movie, YouTube video, make fun of your spouse

😊, play with your pet,

Exercise – Always on the list of constructive stress busters but with good reason, endorphins are real!

read jokes, be a prankster. Whatever makes you

Even light exercise such as walking, riding your bike,

laugh, do it as much as possible. It is impossible to

dancing, or yoga are incredibly beneficial for your

laugh and be stressed at the same time.

stress levels and outlook. Assuming your doctor is on board, shoot for 3 times per week for 20-30

Gratitude – Before your feet hit the ground in the

minutes. Finding time to exercise during the

morning, list five things you are thankful for and

holidays can be challenging but is one of those all-

really “feel into” why you are thankful for them.

important things that should be on the top of your

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LIGHTENING YOUR LOAD, CONTINUED list of things to do. Schedule it so it is a part of your

Pivoting – Master the dance of pivoting from the daily

day. Nike said it best, “Just Do It”.

stressors to more positive aspects of your life. When something negative happens, take a few minutes to

Giving

–

online

do something that makes you feel good. Listen to

impersonal

your favorite music, indulge in your favorite Starbucks

and many times expensive. Avoid the trap of finding

beverage, play with your dog. Whatever it is for you,

the perfect gift or spending more just to get it off

do it so that you can regain your positivity and not

your list. It is okay to give homemade gifts, gifts of

fall into a spiral of negativity. By taking time to feel

time together, experiences, or gift cards for those

better you are much better equipped to deal with the

picky ones on your list. Give yourself permission to

negative situation.

shopping,

In

this

buying

age

of

presents

convenience can

be

very

and

focus on the meaning and intentions behind the gift and let go of the notion that it must be the perfect, latest, greatest gift.

NEFLCAI - 2021 Gold Sponsors Click on their logo to go to their website.

NEFLCAI - 2021 Silver Sponsor

NEFLCAI - 2020 Bronze Sponsors

WRITTEN BY: ALLIED UNIVERSAL

Vacation Travel Safety Vacations with friends and family should be an enjoyable and memorable time away. But certain

If your cell phone or credit card is stolen, report it immediately and cancel service.

Do not carry or accept packages from strangers.

safety precautions should be given priority equal to that of flight arrangements and hotel locations. Vacationers can face a host of problems from theft and minor personal injury to violence, arrests, and illnesses. Using common sense and taking safety precautions can help travelers enjoy a safe and relaxing vacation.

Physical Safety

Beach Safety Always use sunblock.

Never swim alone and only swim when lifeguards are present.

Do not consume alcohol when swimming or operating boating equipment.

Take strong current and riptide warnings seriously.

Always stay with people you trust.

Do not go anywhere with a stranger – even during the day.

Carry a cell phone at all times in case of an emergency.

Call home periodically to let family members know you are safe.

Keep your identification with you.

Be aware of local laws regarding alcohol.

Do not drink and drive.

Always lock and bolt your hotel room when you are inside it.

Property Safety Always keep your hotel room locked.

Try to leave valuables at home.

Lock any valuables you do take in the hotel safe.

Call home periodically to let family members know you are safe.

Beware of scam artists or pickpockets.

Traveling out of the Country Keep your passport in a secure location.

Bring a photocopy of your passport and keep it in a safe place, in the event something happens to the original.

Know that safety standards may be different and roads and balconies may pose safety risks.

Leave a copy of your itinerary with family or friends.

Familiarize yourself with local laws and safety concerns at the State Department website.

Register your travel plans with the State Department through a free online service at https://travelregistration.state.gov. This is important in the event of an emergency.

WRITTEN BY: CHUBB PRESENTED COURTESY OF: BROWN & BROWN INSURANCE As we approach the holidays, you may be looking forward to family gatherings, dinners with friends, and special celebrations. If your holidays include having a cozy fire in the fireplace, candles on the table, twinkle lights on the tree, or extra space heaters around the house to warm things up, you're not alone. For many of us, these are essential to the holiday spirit. But they can also be fire hazards.

Nearly 156,000 fires occur during the winter holidays season, causing 630 deaths, 2,600 injuries, and approximately $936 million in property damage, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Here are the four main holiday fire hazards, and how to avoid them:

Fireplaces Properly dispose of fireplace ashes. Allow them to cool for 12 -24 hours, place them in a metal bucket, and then move the bucket outside until there are no more hot spots.

Get your chimney inspected and cleaned before the holidays.

Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they're working well.

Candles Never leave candles unattended or place them in high-traffic areas.

Leave a two-foot circle of safety around them. Don't light them close to trees or decorations.

HOLIDAY FIRE HAZARDS, CONTINUED

Holiday lighting Don't overload extension cords or use indoor extension cords outside.

Don't run extension cords under rugs, as they can fray or be pinched by heavy furniture.

Plug outdoor lights into ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) to prevent electric shocks.

Inspect all lights and cords before using them; replace old lights every few years.

Turn off lights when you're away from home and before going to sleep.

Space heaters Never leave space heaters unattended or near anything flammable.

Check the circuit you plan to use, to make sure it can handle the added demand of a space heater.

Don't remove the third-prong grounding feature - and always plug them into GFCIs for added safety.

WRITTEN BY: MARC GUIONNAUD EVERGREEN HOLIDAY LIGHTING

Use the Good Lightbulbs - Use commercial-grade lighting for residential and commercial projects.The classic big C-9 bulbs outline roofs and garden beds and pathways the best.

Consider LED - Use LED to save power consumption.

Time Yourself - But, even when using LED, when powering your lights it’s important to make sure you don’t have too much power running from one outlet; so use multiple outlets with timers so you can automate your holiday display and save yourself a step.

Hide those Cords - Take extra effort to hide and secure your extension cords. Don’t let cords hang loosely off the roof orlay on top of the grass to get destroyed by lawnmowers! If your home has a gutter, use the gutter pipe to run the extension cord up to the roof and tie the off with zip ties! To avoid getting your cords damaged by landscapers on the grass, bury them at least 2” deep for safety.

WRITTEN BY: JACK TAYLOR, ESQ. ANGIUS & TERRY, LLP In

the

movie

“Christmas

Vacation”,

Chevy

Chase

the shingles when installing his roof lights. To this day,

plays Clark W. Griswold, a family man who wants to

people still laugh out loud as he “thwack, thwack,

give everyone a holiday they will remember. Clark

thwack” drives those staples into the shingles. This

puts on a masterclass on how not to install holiday

could cause punctures in the roofing envelope.

lights

Punctures matter to an association as they could

and

recently

decorations.

had

construction

to

an

Suppose

inspection

document

the

you

for

haven’t

defective

condition

of

the

property. In that case, installing these lights and decorations

must

be

done

correctly

and

cause enough damage to start a roof leak or look like enough to cause a roof leak, even if the true source is a defective roof installation.

without

damage to avoid confusion in any potential defect

The same goes for stucco. Just like the roof, the

or damages litigation.

stucco, and the layers underneath it, are part of the “building envelope”; the exterior or shell of a building

With that in mind, here are some ideas that you

that repels the elements. Damaging stucco could

might

lead to the dread of water intrusion quite easily. If

want

to

think

about

for

your

association’s

holiday decorating:

decorations will be installed over stucco, make sure you understand which fasteners will be used. Be wary

Avoid nailing or stapling lights (or anything) to the roof. Defective installations of roofs are

of anything that will be left in place, patched, or sealed when the decorations are removed.

commonplace in Florida. It doesn’t matter if it is a pitched

or

flat

roof.

Clark

uses

a

staple

gun

to

secure an extremely long string of lights directly to

Pay extra attention to windows. Many condominium and townhome associations are responsible for the

CONSTRUCTION DEFECTS, CONTINUED windows of the units in their community. It is possible that a claim of defective installation would come from the association. This presents a problem with holiday decorations. Not only does the association have to watch out for their installers doing damage, but the unit owners can be an issue as well. While it may be apparent to unit owners that they can’t hammer a nail into the side of the house, windows are in their living space and are an excellent place for unit owners to present their holiday spirit to the rest of the world. However, water intrusion will probably occur if the unit owner damages any seals around the window, which is relatively easy to do.

Sorting out whether the water intrusion came from a defect or unit owner damage would be very difficult.

Remember that the installation and removal of holiday decorations is a construction project. Although decorations are temporary, an association must treat their installation and removal as any other construction job. Ensure that any changes made to your electrical systems or structural modifications to building elements have the proper permits and are performed by licensed contractors if needed.

This list can go on for many pages. Many associations have rules regarding holiday decorations already. I am asking you to do one more thing: look at how unit owners could damage common areas when installing or removing decorations. As for the association’s decorations, hire professionals; if you only rely on volunteers, you could find out that you have some “Clarks” or “Cousin Eddies” in your community.

COURTESY OF: NEFLCAI 1. Place menorah on a sturdy, non-flammable surface.

2. Keep matches and menorah away from children's reach, while burning.

3. Don't leave a lit menorah unattended.

4. Make sure your menorah is in a place where your pets can't knock it over.

5. Use only non-flammable menorahs.

6. Keep your lit menorah in a contained space.

7. Keep fabric and paper and other decorations away from a lit menorah.

8. Have a fire extinguisher handy just in case.

COURTESY OF: CAI NATIONAL

There’s nothing as serene as a warm, crackling fire on a

Remember, disasters can happen even in the

cold, winter night. There’s also nothing more dangerous

best of homes. That’s why every home should

if your chimney is damaged.

be equipped with carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Here are a few tips:

Broken or cracked chimneys can let heat, smoke and toxic gasses, such as carbon monoxide, into your home.

Install carbon monoxide and smoke

Your home could even catch fire. Chimney damage is

detectors in sleeping areas and on every

often obvious, but sometimes it can be hidden. Use the

level of your home and away from air vents.

following checklist, provided by Ready Virginia!, to help

Interconnected smoke alarms are best,

ensure that you can enjoy your fireplace and avoid

because if one sounds, they all sound.

problems—or even a disaster:

Test smoke alarms monthly, and change

Check to see if bricks have fallen or the chimney is

alkaline batteries at least once a year. Use a

leaning.

familiar date, such as your birthday or when

Look for shiny areas on your exterior metal chimney

you change your clocks, as a reminder.

pipe. This could mean the chimney has shifted—

Prepare and practice a fire escape route

during the recent East Coast earthquake, for

with everyone in your home, including

instance.

children.

Look for cracks at joints where the chimney connects to the firebox, at the roofline and in the attic.

For more information, visit

Check for debris that may have fallen into the

www.usfa.dhs.gov/smokealarms.

fireplace.

Use a screwdriver to check the mortar between the bricks or stones. If it crumbles when you pick at it, the chimney may be a hazard and probably needs work.

When in doubt, consult a licensed engineer or contractor. For the name of an inspector, call your insurance or mortgage company.

#1 - Networking with Other Volunteer Leaders, Business Partners, and CAMs #2 - Education Classes about Community Management #3 - Quarterly Magazines #4 - Quarterly Social Events #5 - Visibility in the CAI Directory #6 - Opportunity to Earn Some Credentials #7 - Access to Article Content #8 - Access to Conferences & Webinars #9 - National and State Advocacy for Legislation Important to our Industry #10 - Marketing Opportunities at National and Chapter Events

Click the image above to get access to the guide. This is just one of the many cool things CAI has for you.

COURTESY OF: CAI NATIONAL The holidays are just around the corner, and for

out what the association deems acceptable noise

many people, that means lots of festivities with

levels and what the quiet hours are, as well as

friends and loved ones. With all of the merriment

guidelines for hosting parties.

that’s sure to ensue, it’s important that residents who are hosting celebrations are not only

Parking: The holidays bring many people together,

considerate of their neighbors, but also take note

and that means extra cars will need to be parked.

of the association’s rules. A complete listing of our

To make sure your guests are covered, look at the

association rules and regulations can be found in

CC&Rs to find out the rules on visitor parking in the

our Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions

association, including where they can park and

(CC&Rs), but here are a few key items to look up

what kind of parking passes they may need.

that are particularly pertinent during the holiday season:

Overnight Guests: It wouldn’t be the holidays without Uncle Marv and Aunt Ethel bunking in little

Outdoor Decorations: Decking the halls with

Jimmy’s room. Of course, depending on how long

seasonal ornaments is a great way to bring the

your overnight guests are staying, you may need to

holiday spirit home. Many love to spread the joy by

let the association know. The CC&Rs will give you a

decorating the outside of their homes and front

breakdown on the rules for both short-term and

yards as well, but before you scurry up that ladder

long-term guests, so take a look at them before you

to hang the decorative lights along the side of

break out the extra cot.

your roof, take a quick peek at the CC&Rs to find out the guidelines for outdoor decorations, as well

Following the association’s rules and regulations

as the guidelines for flags and signs if you plan on

helps ensure that all of our residents can enjoy this

decorating with those. This will help make sure

special time of year, so please help us by doing

your outdoor winter wonderland isn’t an

your part. Stay safe and have a wonderful holiday

association violation.

season.

Parties: We hope you all have plenty of chances to eat, drink and be merry this holiday season. If you plan on hosting a large get-together or party, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind.

First, keep the revelry and noise to a minimum, and wind the party down at a reasonable time—you don’t want your celebrating to interfere with your neighbors’ attempts to get visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads. Check your CC&Rs to find

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