Friday, August 22, 2014

Home Safety Update August 2014

Here's an update to previous posts with some amendments !!! Don't be a victim - Keep Alert -watch out for strange or new activity not only at your home but your neighbor's too! ... and keep your garage door(s) closed or at least only open enough so that no one can get under it, especially a small unattended child. Anyone can slip out of a car, into a garage and snag golf clubs or something else of value then sling it into the back of a truck and be gone in less than 10 seconds ... and this includes a purse, etc... while you carry the groceries into the house. Many people think keeping the garage door open at the bottom relieves the garage of some of the heat while their car cools ... Considering that heat rises, there may be no significant benefit anyway. You'd be better served installing a vent high above the existing vent(s) in your garage to allow a flow of air, getting an attic fan or whole house fan ... some have mentioned they open the side door to the backyard because the side gate is locked - I mentioned this at one point but after further consideration probably only makes sense if you have a dog ... Here's a few other suggestions that could help you feel safer in your home or sleep better at night when you're away ... 1) Installing a switch in the house to control the electrical outlet for your garage door controller(s). Should you need to leave your house for an extended period, all electrical power for the garage door(s) is shut off by the new switch; and when you return home ... a flip of the switch returns the operation to normal. 2) If your garage door(s) do not already have them, manual slide bar(s) can be installed for additional security. These are installed and slide into one of the door(s) track slot openings. If worried about damaging your door(s) when these are installed, you can paint them red as a reminder to disengage prior to opening when you return to your home. 3) Padlocking the referenced manual slide bars could be an additional precaution of preventing the garage being used as an exit way and/or removing any furniture, golf carts or vehicles. 4) Install a peep-hole viewer in the door from the house into your garage just like the front door. If you are in the habit of leaving your garage door open for convenience or venting while your car cools down, even if you think you don't leave it open enough for someone to get in - be careful. 5) Always look and listen before you open the door to the garage and then turn on the lights inside the garage before you open the door and look and listen again before opening. If you do not have a switch for the interior garage lights inside the door within reach of your view from the newly-installed peephole, call an electrician and install one or move the existing one closer ... and finally 6) You can install brackets on either side of the door to the patio and then insert a properly measured and cut two-by-four for added support ... I can't image anyone being able to kick that in ... I hope you find this information helpful ... As always, Keep the faith !!!

CVWD Water Restrictions

If you haven't heard the news, here's what the District is imposing to help the severe drought situation we are facing: Water restrictions adopted by the Coachella Valley Water District 1. Irrigate lawns and other landscaping only after sunset and before 10 a.m., except when "overseeding" or doing maintenance. 2. Use CVWD drought watering guide to irrigate: www.cvwd.org/conservation/wateringguide.php. 3. Repair broken sprinklers within 24 hours of being notified. 4. Do not wash down driveways, sidewalks or other hard exterior surfaces. 5. Wash vehicles and windows only if using a hose with a shutoff nozzle. 6. Prevent runoff onto a neighbor's property or sidewalks or roads. 7. Fountains or other water features must recirculate water. 8. Restaurants should serve water to customers only upon request. 9. Hotels are being asked to place messages in guest rooms promoting water conservation. More information: http://www.cvwd.org/news/news246.php As always, Keep the faith !!!