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 !!!

La Quinta Crime Reports

Are you curious about the crimes reported in La Quinta? Check this out by cutting and pasting into your browser: http://www.laquintapolice.org/Crime-Stat-Graph

CPTED - La Quinta Police are committed to help us

The Police Department has a new program to which I became aware at the City of La Quinta's Birthday celebration this last Saturday at City Hall ... A fine time was had by all ... Officer Curia will make an appointment to visit your home to review, discuss and instruct on the fine points of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. Officer Curia can be reached at (760) 250-1388 ... Keep the faith !!!

Household hints ...

You've stripped a screw ... Now what do you do? If you have a hacksaw, you can cut into the top of the screw to create a new groove for your screwdriver ... Eazy Peezy !!! Do you have a little one doing their best to reproduce their version of the Mona Lisa on your wall(s)? ... grab some old fashioned (non-gel) toothpaste and a scrub brush or sponge and wipe until the marks are gone (gingerly, please) ... Are you out of Drano or Liquid Plumber and can't go to the store? ... try dropping three Alka-Seltzer tablets down the sink followed by a cup of white vinegar and let it sit for approx. 15 minutes which is when you should be able to clean the drain with boiling water. (DO NOT TRY THIS IS YOU'VE ALREADY USED A COMMERICAL PRODUCT like DRANO or LIQUID PLUMBER) ... Best of luck with your chores ... and Keep the Faith !!!

There's a new kind of thief in town cruising your Open House ...

Everyone is apprehensive about opening up their home to a bunch of strangers, particularly when they are not home. Open Houses are a great marketing tool, allowing prospective buyers to compare your home with their wants and needs; also allowing neighbors to get a peek if they might have a friend or relative they want to move closer to them. Before you have an Open House, you should secure any very personal and important items out of harms way whether they be highly valuable, sentimental or breakable and the new category - medicinal !!! There has been an increase in medications being removed from bedrooms, bathrooms and medicine cabinets of late to such a degree that the warnings have even been televised. Everything has value and we know how expensive prescriptions are ... someone who needs your medicine doesn't care of your loss only their gain ... and certainly kids may not even know what a drug is but will take it anyway ... so be extra careful and make sure your medications is safe along with all your other valuables ... Keep the faith !!!

General Interest of Desert Pride Residents

It does not appear that many of the residents are interested in anything going on in our development ... Of course, there are a few ... I do mean that ... whether it's the Assessment issue, security or garbage cans in front of houses, etc ... nobody really seems to care. There is no apparent sense of community. There is no apparent desire for cohesiveness. I just want to wish the few caring souls all the best in the future ... Keep the faith !!!