Safety Reminder: Check Smoke Detectors

Hello Managers,

The weather is changing and it is time to remind residents to check their smoke detectors. Residents should be testing their smoke detectors by pressing the button on the cover of the device. The alarm should sound briefly to signify it is working (if the battery is low, the alarm will “chirp” about every 30 seconds) Remember, smoke alarms are important to resident safety and should never be removed.

Should you have any other questions, feel free to speak with your supervisor.

Back to School Safety

As the school season begins, we ask that managers and residents take some time to think about the following safety issues:

  • Be aware of students in the parking areas and streets traveling to and from school
  • Remind students to be cautious of vehicles that may not be able to see them in the parking areas or streets
  • Report any suspicious person or activity immediately
  • Make sure that younger students know the route to and from school or the bus stop
  • Remind kids of important safety rules such as no talking to strangers
  • Make sure students know their address and phone number in case of emergency

We hope that this information is helpful to you and any students you may know. Keeping children safe during the school year is everybody’s responsibility.

Maintenance and Managers: Heat Safety and Prevention

During this time of year the heat can become dangerous if you aren’t making sure to hydrate. Maintenance staff (and quite a few managers as well) are out in the direct sunlight, or often sweltering in a vacant apartment during these hot days, and are at risk of dehydration and heat illness. With this in mind, we’d like pass everyone a reminder about heat safety and prevention.

HEAT EXHAUSTION: Symptoms include dizziness, weakness, heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, headache, malaise, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, fainting, and a rash called prickly heat.

HEAT STROKE: Is a dysfunction of the central nervous system that makes the body stop sweating and organs stop working.  Symptoms include dry skin, dizziness, headache, confusion, rapid breathing, rapid pulse, loss of consciousness, and a high body temp above 104°F. This is a medical emergency. Lower the body temperature immediately by moving the victim to shade, removing their clothing, bathing them in cool or cold water, and fan to increase cooling.

PREVENTATIVE MEASURES INCLUDE:

  • Drink plenty of water
  • Avoid alcohol, caffeinated drinks and soda
  • Wear loose clothing
  • Avoid direct sunlight or outdoors when possible
  • Rest in a cool place
  • Seek medical attention if symptoms do not go away

Of course, an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of medicine, and in this case prevention can come in the form of a bottle of water. Have water available, and be insistent that your maintenance staff is drinking plenty of water.  Remember, hydration is the name of the game for these hot summer days.

Patios and Porches

It’s the time of year when we really focus on the condition of our resident’s patios and porches. This is always a challenging situation as we continue to inspect and re-inspect patios to ensure they are maintained in pristine condition. Refresh your memory when it comes to the list of allowable items for patios and porches. This list can be found in the Terms and Conditions/Rules and Regulations section of the lease agreement. Only the following items can be stored on patios or porches:

  • Properly maintained and operable propane barbeques (as allowed by state or local fire code)
  •  Reasonable number and size of potted plants
  •  Bicycles

Make use of the Patio Violation form to notify residents in the event of infraction.

Safety Reminder: Window Screens

As the days begin to warm up, windows will be open more often. Please make sure to prioritize maintenance requests to repair missing or loose window screens. These screens are very important for the safety of all residents, especially those living on upper floors. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

For more information on Window Screen Safety check out this website:

http://childsafety.screenmobile.com/Window-Screen-Safety.html

 

Holiday Firework Safety & Fire Prevention

In an effort to keep all of our residents safe, Cambridge properties do not allow fireworks on community grounds. If residents are looking for a place to set off fireworks, please advise them to check out nearby parks or public spaces. Many communities offer public gathering areas where folks can safely set off or view fireworks.  Thank you!

Safety Alert: Lifting and Carrying

Here are some important tips on lifting and carrying:

  • Lift comfortably. You are the best judge of the most comfortable position for yourself.
  • Bend to lift an object – don’t stoop!
  • Keep your back straight by tucking in your chin.
  • Lift with leg muscles, not back muscles.
  • Ask for help with heavy, awkward items. Use two people if necessary.
  • When carrying, do not let the object obstruct your vision.
  • When possible, use mechanical equipment to move heavy items.

Following these tips can help you avoid injury. Be safe!

Barbeque and Grill Policy Reminder

While the weather is hot this summer, many residents will spend more time outside which means more people will be cooking outdoors. This is a fun way to get together to enjoy the summer months. We want to make sure that our residents are informed about the importance of safety while using outdoor grills. Barbeque grills can be a safety hazard when used in close proximity to a building, so please adhere to the following guidelines for everyone’s safety and enjoyment:

  • As a fire safety precaution, charcoal grills are not allowed on patios, balconies, or within 25 feet of the building.
  • Use only gas/propane cooking devices with a gas container of 1 pound LP-gas capacity. Allowed devices are the small “Coleman” style propane canisters. These canisters are typically green and are approximately the size of a one liter drink container (you can also find converters for your gas/propane grill to work with these smaller canisters.)

It may seem redundant, but it is very important to remind residents each year about good fire safety practices and prevention. The warmer, dryer summer season creates greater risk for fires.

Reporting an Incident

It’s bound to happen eventually. There’s been an incident at your property and it’s up to you to handle the aftermath. Here are some tips to get you through the process successfully.

  • Upon hearing about the incident, call the appropriate emergency authorities (fire department, 911) when appropriate. If someone is injured, always offer to call for medical assistance.
  • Go immediately to the accident scene to get all the facts to document. Take photos of the scene. If a resident tripped on a sidewalk, take photos of the area where the accident occurred. Car accident in the parking lot? Take photos of the cars involved. Take down information of all parties involved, including any witnesses.
  • Fill out an incident report right away so all the information is fresh (login to TenantTech for forms) and fax or scan it to the central office. Don’t skimp on the details, the insurance company will want to know specific information including the time of day, weather conditions, police report numbers, contact information of everyone involved, and a detailed summary of the incident.
  • Wait to hear from the claims adjuster. If there are damages such as fire, do not make any repairs until the claims adjuster comes to complete an assessment. You can gather repair bids during this time, but wait for the green light from your supervisor to start repairs.

Refer to Chapter 9 in your Operations Manual for more detailed instruction on now to report an incident.

 

Playground Safety and Maintenance

As children begin to spend more time outdoors, it is the opportune time to clean play equipment and conduct a thorough safety check. Look for loose screws and bolts, and make sure any wood is in solid condition with no cracking or rough edges that can cause splinters. Touch up paint, if necessary, and check that swings are secure.

Our policy regarding play areas require 9 to 12 inches of hemlock shavings under play equipment. Take some time to rake the shavings under play equipment where low points have developed, most commonly under swings and at the bottom of slides. If you feel that your play areas don’t have enough shavings and you need to purchase more, please contact your property supervisor.

OTHER PLAYGROUND SAFETY GUIDELINES

  • S hooks should be closed
  • Wood chips appropriately cover all zones of at lease 6 feet in every direction
  • Footholds firmly in place
  • Handrails are sturdy
  • Any paints used are playground approved
  • No sharp objects sticking up
  • No ropes
  • Swing seats are made of rubber or canvas
  • Free of standing water or debris
  • Area is pest free
  • Only property purchased and installed play equipment is used