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26 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | MARCH 2025 Spring Forward and Review Your Safety Checklist Time to Change Your Clocks Remember, Daylight Saving Time begins on the second Sunday in March. So, on March 9, we "lose" an hour of sleep when the clocks are set forward (except in Hawaii and Arizona), and for many, that means a tired couple of days as our bodies adjust. e consequences of fatigue can be serious, so plan accordingly. Spring into action on Sunday, March 9 and review the following safety checklist: SMOKE ALARMS ree out of every ve home re deaths result from re in homes with no smoke alarms, according to the National Fire Protection Association. A good practice is to test your smoke alarms every month and replace the battery at least once a year. If the alarm makes a "chirping" sound, replace the battery immediately. Smoke alarms should be in every bedroom and in the common areas on each oor of a home. ey should be mounted at least 10 feet from the stove to reduce false alarms, less than 12 inches from the ceiling, and away from windows, doors, and ducts. Be sure to purchase smoke alarms with the label of a reputable testing agency, like Underwriters Laboratories (UL). CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS Anything that burns fuel can potentially become a source of carbon monoxide (CO), an invisible, odorless gas that can kill. CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each bedroom and on every level of the home. e safety tips for CO detectors mirror those of smoke alarms (i.e., change the batteries annually and test them monthly). Also, make sure vents for your gas appliances (replace, dryer, stove, and furnace) are free and clear of debris. EMERGENCY PLAN An emergency kit should include one gallon of water per day for each person, at least a three-day supply of food, ashlight and batteries, rst aid kit, plastic sheeting and duct tape, and medicines. You can visit the FEMA website for a complete list. Your emergency plan should also include: • A communications plan to outline how your family members will contact one another and where to meet if it is safe to go outside. • A shelter-in-place plan if outside air is contaminated. FEMA recommends sealing windows, doors, and air vents with plastic sheeting. • A getaway plan, including various routes and destinations in dierent directions. • Also, make sure your rst aid kit is updated. GET RID OF UNWANTED MEDICINES e National Safety Council recommends you take unwanted or expired medicines to a prescription drop box or "take-back" event near you. GETTING THE URGE TO CLEAN? With the warm weather comes a desire to shine and polish your home. Be sure to review the warning labels on the chemical product(s) to be used. Proper use of chemicals, along with required or recommended personal protective equipment, and the proper disposal of the chemicals are important considerations to follow. Remember, if you see something, say something. Please join us for next month's Community Awareness Meeting on Wednesday, March 12 at 10 am in e Lodge Ballroom. We will have a special presentation from Mike Lara, Beaumont City Mayor, and Elizabeth Gibbs, Beaumont City Manager. ank you to our block captains and Community Awareness Committee members for all they do to help keep our community safe. ~ Frank Hilberg, hilberg frank@gmail.com Community Awareness Facilities Committee As we spring into March, the Facilities Committee wraps up the work at The Lodge; we will turn our attention to The Summit to assess projects requiring research. We will obtain contractor bids for any necessary repairs and renovations. Current items on our project list include The Summit indoor pool, pool decking, the indoor shower at the pool, and tiling. We are also assessing work needed in the men's and women's bathrooms as well as painting. The Lodge, the Ballroom, the Game Room, the Library, and the RCN Main Room have all been repainted and new carpet has been installed. We continue our work in the Ballroom by revitalizing the chandeliers, lighting, and window coverings, as well as improving the acoustics. The pool deck resurfacing is under way and this project will be completed in time for the opening of the pool in April. If you have not had the opportunity to visit The Lodge lately, we encourage you to stop by. If you have a facilities concern or questions, feel free to contact me at ginajo25@aol.com or attend one of our meetings. We meet the second Wednesday of every month; for the next few months our meetings will be at The Summit. ~ Regina Farmer

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