DON'T FORGET THE BASICS

BY: ERIC ZARR, CMCA, AMS FIRSTSERVICE RESIDENTIAL

When it comes to safety and security items, oftentimes the basics are what is most needed, but also overlooked. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, making a few simple changes to your daily routine can easily help to protect you and your family.

Don’t let your guard down as you get closer to home. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 52 percent of accidents occur within five miles of home. Whether you are driving home from a long day at work during the week, or coming back from a family event on the weekend, be vigilant as you get closer to home. Those same streets you pass by multiple times a day can still have something different.

Speaking of cars, parking your vehicles in a garage helps keep them safer from theft and vandalism. Parking in a garage can also help extend the life of your vehicle as it keeps the engine better lubricated. If you are unable to park your vehicle in a garage at home, and especially when you are out in public parking areas, make sure to always keep valuables out of sight and your vehicle locked at all times.

Other doors to keep locked at all times are all the doors to your home. You might be like the McCallisters from Home Alone and live on the most boring street in the United States of America, where nothing even remotely dangerous will ever happen. However, it only takes a second to get into a garage if the side door is unlocked, allowing an intruder to break into your home. There are too many videos online of thieves coming into a home through an unlocked front door.

Having your garage lights and porch light on throughout the night are simple things to do as well. Make sure your fire detectors and CO2 detectors are working correctly by testing them monthly and replacing their batteries every six months. Know what your police department’s non-emergency number is. If you see something suspicious, call them via that non-emergency number, and only after you are through with that call should you call your Association Management to let them know as well.

Being safer does not have to be a complicated or expensive endeavor. Being aware of your surroundings, keeping valuables out of sight with doors locked at all times, and having a well-lit home are things one can do every day. Checking smoke and CO2 detectors on a regular basis are not complicated either. Don’t forget about the basics and be a little safer every day.

Eric Zarr, CMCA, AMS, is a General Manager with FirstService Residential and holds both the CMCA and AMS designations. Eric has worked onsite at the K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons at Beaumont Community Association, Inc a 55+ community with 1,853 homes. for 9 years, first as the Assistant General Manager and now as the General Manager for the past 5 years. Prior to being onsite he managed a portfolio of accounts for over 3 years including single-family homes, condominiums and townhomes. He served for three years on the Board of Directors for the CAI-GRIE where he was Secretary for 2 years and currently volunteers on the CAI-GRIE Communications Committee.