Page 12 - Sun City_December_2016

CA NEWS
’Tis the season for holiday safety
Submitted by the Emergency Management Committee
One of the goals this
time of the year should
be celebrating in a
healthful and safe way.
Seasonal decorations
and holiday cooking create an increased
risk of home fires. According to the U.S.
Fire Administration, nearly 47,000 fires
occur each holiday season, claiming more
than 500 lives, causing more than 2,200
injuries and costing roughly $554 million in
property damage. As you deck the halls this
holiday season, be smart about fire hazards.
When buying new tree decorations, look
for the tag or label stating the lights are
approved by the Underwriters Laboratory
(UL) safety consulting company. Always
inspect lights – new and old – before
hanging and dispose of any strands with
frayed or pinched wires. Hang decorations
appropriately – overloaded electrical outlets
and faulty wires are the most common
causes of holiday fires in residences, and
they are just as likely to affect artificial
trees as real trees. Remember to always
turn off your tree lights before leaving
home or going to bed.
When choosing a real tree, give the needles
the tug test by pulling on the needles firmly.
If a significant number of needles come off
in your hand, choose another tree and do
Bits from Ginny’s Desk
Submitted by Ginny Wagner, Community Standards Supervisor
Many of us already have our decorations
up and lights on our homes because we
know it is OK to have them up from Nov.
15 until Jan. 15. This is the time of year
that we needn’t worry about whether the
statue of Santa in the front yard exceeds
the normally allowed 36 inches nor be
concerned about seasonally colored light
bulbs that aren’t shielded.
Although the rest of the year we can only
have two items attached to our outside
walls, during these two months we can
put up as many wreaths, hang as many
angels and string as many lights on eaves
and/or trees as we want.
Our three floral arrangements displayed
10 | SUNRAYS DECEMBER 2016
the same test. A healthy tree will not shed
and needles will feel soft instead of brittle.
If you buy a pre-cut tree, it is important
to cut an inch or an inch and a half from
the base. This will allow the tree to absorb
more water and prevent it from drying out.
A typical tree will absorb a quart of water
for each inch of its diameter. Be sure to
top off tree stands daily. Always be sure
to keep open flames and sources of heat
away from your Christmas tree – while
Christmas tree fires may not be common,
they are deadlier and more destructive
than other types of residential fires.
As you celebrate the season, you will likely
enjoy many parties, beloved guests and a
great deal of good food. We ask that you
please use caution when entertaining
– the American Red Cross reports that
cooking fires are the number one cause
of fire-related injuries, with Christmas
Day and Christmas Eve being the second
and third most likely day for a home
fire (Thanksgiving ranks first). If you’re
planning on cooking up some fun this
holiday season, remember these safety tips:
1. Keep an eye on what you fry: Frying
poses the greatest risk of fire. Never
overfill pots or pans and always use a
thermometer to ensure oil temperatures
remain within a safe range.
on porch and patio changed with the
season from November chrysanthemums
to December poinsettias. You may
have other seasonal foliage or flower
arrangements to display for this holiday
season.
As always, please err on the side of caution.
If you don’t have a regular service to
install and remove your holiday lights
from roof and/or trees, check in the
Sun Rays or online at our website for a
contractor willing to provide that service.
Above all, let’s make this a safe holiday
season. From the entire Community
Standards department, season’s greetings
and a happy new year!
2. Take a look at where you cook: Keep
your cooking area clutter-free and safe
by securing appliance cords and other
items where they won’t get caught on
anything or anyone.
3. Play keep-away: Keep anything
that could catch fire away from
hot appliances. This includes: long,
dangling sleeves; oven mitts; plastic or
paper bags; food packaging; dishtowels,
and grandkids.
Material for this article came from NFPA,
FEMA, University of Wisconsin
Water Matters
Submitted by Carlton M. Mathis,
Common Area and
Irrigation Superintendent
Season’s
greetings, all!
What a crazy
weather year it’s
been. Forecasts
for December are
trending toward
the warmer and drier side. Make
sure that sensors are turned on and
working, and irrigation systems are
programmed to run no more than one
day per week. Krampus could bring
mold and fungus to your landscape
if it is too wet.
If you are away for the holidays,
consider turning off the water to your
home in case a water line breaks and
goes unnoticed.
WATER MATTERS TEAM
The Water Matters team is available
to help you become familiar with
your irrigation system. If you need
help setting up your controller or
would like a complete and thorough
evaluation of your irrigation system,
send an email to WaterMatters@
SCTexas.org or contact your
Neighborhood Representative. A
Water Matters Ambassador will
come to your home to assist you.
ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG