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| Four Seasons Hemet Herald | NOVEMBER 2025 | 9 anksgiving Fire Safety A fire can become life-threatening in just two minutes. A residence can be engulfed in flames in five minutes. Learn About Fires Fire is FAST! In less than 30 seconds a small flame can turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house or for it to be engulfed in flames. Fire is HOT! Heat is more threatening than flames. Room temperatures in a fire can be 100 degrees at floor level and rise to 600 degrees at eye level. Inhaling this super-hot air will scorch your lungs and melt clothes to your skin. Fire is DARK! Fire starts bright, but quickly produces black smoke and complete darkness. Fire is DEADLY! Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do. Fire produces poisonous gases that make you disoriented and drowsy. Smoke Alarms A working smoke alarm significantly increases your chances of surviving a deadly home fire. • Replace batteries twice a year, unless you are using 10-year lithium batteries. • Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement. • Replace the entire smoke alarm unit every 10 years or according to manufacturer's instructions. • Never disable a smoke alarm while cooking – it can be a deadly mistake. • Audible alarms are available for visually impaired people and smoke alarms with a vibrating pad or flashing light are available for the hearing impaired. Before a Fire If you are insured, contact your insurance company for detailed instructions on protecting your property, conducting inventory and contacting fire damage restoration companies. Create and Practice a Fire Escape Plan Remember that every second counts in the event of a fire. Escape plans help you get out of your home quickly. Practice your home fire escape plan twice each year. Some tips to consider when preparing this plan include: • Find two ways to get out of each room in the event the primary way is blocked by fire or smoke. • Make sure that windows are not stuck, screens can be taken out quickly and that security bars can be properly opened. • Practice feeling your way out of the house in the dark or with your eyes closed. • Teach children not to hide from firefighters. • If you use a walker or wheelchair, check all exits to be sure you can get through the doorways. Fire Safety Tips • Make digital copies of valuable documents and records like birth certificates. • Sleep with your bedroom door closed. • Keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program is designed to increase individual and community preparedness and self-reliance in the event of man-made or natural disasters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has officially recognized CERT as an important part of a community's disaster preparedness readiness. Four Seasons CERT continues to need your participation. Become a Street Captain or CERT Auxiliary. Step up. Be a part of the best CERT in the valley, come make a difference. For more information contact your Street Captain. Plan. Prepare. Survive. Emergency Preparedness My name is John Swanson, and I am the newest member of the Four Seasons Hemet Facilities Committee, joining this committee in September 2025. During my professional career I was city planner, and was one of the planners in charge of zoning administration for a community in Southern California. Now that I am retired, I'm glad I can put my knowledge and experience to work on our Facilities Committee. With the Board of Directors approval, the committee has recently completed the following projects, including repairs and improvements: • Bocce Court maintenance • New Bollard Solar lights on the walkway, just east of the sports courts • Replaced billiard tables felt, including new cue sticks and billiard balls • Installed battery backup at the World Cup Gate (allowing these gates to operate during power outages) • New LED lights in the patio area The Facilities Committee is also a sounding board for new amenities. Homeowners can bring their interests to the Committee, which can evaluate the project, and if approved, provide a recommendation to the HOA board. We meet on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 9 am in the Lodge Board Room. Homeowners are always welcome; you might want to attend a meeting to see if the committee is your cup of tea. The committee is also actively looking for one new member. If you wish to apply, please fill out a Committee Volunteer Form available at the HOA office. I'm looking forward to learning more about the needs of our community, and how I can provide my professional knowledge and experience to face this committee's challenges in the future. Facilities Committee

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