36 � NEW ENGLAND CONDOMINIUM � July 2009

By Jim Douglass

July 2009 � NEW ENGLAND CONDOMINIUM � 37

Ah, summertime!

It’s agreat

time forprope

rty manage

rs to

kick back a

nd relax!Excep

t forthat o

ut-

of-control

grill fire on

the deck o

f unit

31 that nearly

jumped to adjacen

t

units. And

that pesky 1

3-year-old

whobroke

his finger

during

horseplay i

n the community

swimming p

ool.

Actually, m

aybesummer-

time isn’tthe b

est time

for condo m

anagers

to lettheir

guard

down.

38 � NEW ENGLAND CONDOMINIUM � July 2009 July 2009 � NEW ENGLAND CONDOMINIUM � 39

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Unfortunately, with the increase inoutdoor activity that summertimebrings, the potential for injuries onthe property jumps, along with theneed for additional safety measures.To get though the summer withoutmishap, safety experts recommend awhole series of precautions to managers.

SWIMMING POOLSThe swimming pool and the sur-

rounding area are where most injuriesor deaths occur in the summertime.One of the easiest ways to cut down

on these potential disasters is to hirelifeguards, according to Brandon

Whitman, owner of LionHeartContracting, a management consult-ing firm in Franklin, Massachusetts.Even where a lifeguard is not required

by state or local laws, Whitman saysthey pay off in a number of unexpectedways – helping to balance against theirwages, which boards may be reluctantto pay in today’s economy.In addition to preventing drowning

and enforcing rules like “no running” or“no diving,” Whitman says lifeguardscan keep out non-residents who might

invade unsupervised pools. By checkingto make sure only residents use thepool, Whitman says far less equipment– like furniture and umbrellas – isbroken or stolen. In addition, saysWhitman, the fewer unauthorizedpeople in the pool, the lower the costfor the association. “Every human bodythat gets in the pool raises expenses –it takes a little more chemical, a littlemore cleaning.”For off hours, when lifeguards

aren’t present and the pool is lockeddown, a higher fence – six or eightfeet compared with the standard fourfeet – can lower insurance premiums

and keep kids from “midnight swims,”he says.Other essential hardware at the

pool should include a dedicated land-line telephone to make emergencyphone calls, says Dr. Richard Bradley,member of the American Red CrossAdvisory Council on First Aid,Aquatics, Safety and Preparedness.Depending on cell phones for emer-gency calls is not a good option, ascoverage may not be available andmany residents don’t bring them pool-

side in the first place, says Bradley.Other essential items include a Red

Cross-approved first aid kit, a blanket,cold compresses and a spinal backboard for transporting swimmers withinjuries, he says.Pool rules should also be clearly

posted and enforced, stressing that noone should ever swim alone. In poolswithout lifeguards, swimming alone isquite dangerous, despite its attraction,says Bradley. “I can understand thetemptation. If you’re a strong swimmerand the water looks nice, you justwant to go in for a swim. But that’sasking for trouble. We ask people notto swim alone,” he says. Educatingunit owners about the dangers ofswimming alone is quite important,through newsletters, notices andprominent signs, says Bradley.

INSECT-BORNE ILLNESSFor New England condominiums,

serious insect-borne illness comes fromtwo sources, mosquitoes and ticks.Mosquito bites can lead to infectionwith either Western Nile Virus orEastern Equine Encephalitis, whiletick bites can lead to Lyme disease.Because mosquitoes breed and lay

their eggs in stagnant water, the keyto minimizing this hazard is cuttingoff the breeding cycle, says Bradley.

“You’re looking for places where there isstanding water and eliminating them.”Condo management, Bradley says,

should instruct unit owners to clearall junk off their porches – like oldtires and buckets, then turn its atten-tion to common areas. After gettingrid of common area jumble, condo-miniums need to look at depressionsin the ground where water can col-lect, says Bradley.Natural depressions, which might

be collecting rain water or moisturefrom the irrigation system, should befilled in, he says. Depressions formedby tire tracks from cars parking ongrass should be filled, and then barrierserected to keep vehicles out, saysBradley.Condos with retention basins –

basically an oversized mosquitobreeding ground – should hire aprofessional pest company to treatthe water “to reduce mosquito larvae,”says Bradley.Ticks that cause Lyme disease can be

found alongside the walking trails thatare so popular at many New Englandcondominiums. To minimize danger,condos should cut back bushes andbrush so that ticks cannot jump on toowners when they brush against them.And if residents do happen to comeinto contact with cut-back brush –they’re usually pulled in by their dogs– Bradley strongly recommends thatowners inspect themselves and theirpets for ticks when they get backinside. If a tick is found, Bradley saysit should be carefully removed withfine-tipped tweezers.

COOKOUTS AND FIRESWhile grilling out and socializing

with other owners is a summer high-light, Bradley says unless it’s done

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With the increase in outdoor activity that summertimebrings, the potential for injuries on the property jumps.

40 � NEW ENGLAND CONDOMINIUM � July 2009

The result, he says, is less rowdyismand even fewer drug dealers. He notesthat at one property, they went fromthree drug dealers to none “becauseof the towing.”

WATER HOSE BREAKSOne of the chief causes of property

damage during summertime comesfrom burst washing machine hoses,according to Sarah Friedman, directorof marketing with disaster restorationfirm ServiceMaster by Gilmore Brothersin Framingham, Massachusetts. “Wesee a tremendous amount of washerhose breaks in the summer,” saysGilmore. “If you’re there [during ahose break] and jump right on it, it’snot much of an issue. But if you’re outat the beach for a day or on vacationfor a week, that's when your [broken]washer hose runs for a few days. Thenyou’re really in trouble.”To keep water from causing severe

damage to multiple units, Gilmore sayscondo management should instructowners to install burst-resistant steelhoses along with shut-off valves, whichneed to be in the off position whennot doing laundry.Management can arrange to have

both installed and can step upreminders in summer newsletters touse shut-off valves, says Gilmore. “Theyneed to shut off the valve wheneverthey’re not using the washing machine,”she says.

STAFF TRAININGWhen the inevitable summertime

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The best thing anyone can do to stay safe this summer and all year round is tolearn how to prevent, recognize, and respond to emergencies.

If planning to spend any time around the water, the Red Cross recommendslearning to swim and knowing first aid and CPR. Contact a local Red Crosschapter to learn more.

Water safety at the pool:� Always swim with a buddy; never swim alone.� Swim in a supervised, marked area with a lifeguard present. No children

allowed in the pool without active adult supervision.� Practice "reach supervision" by staying within an arm's length of young

children and weak swimmers while they are in and around the pool.� Watch out for the "dangerous too's" – too tired, too cold, too far from safety,

too much sun, too much strenuous activity.� Don't mix alcohol and swimming. Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance,

and coordination, affects your swimming and diving skills, and reduces yourbody's ability to stay warm.

� Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming atthe first indication of bad weather.

� Enclose the pool completely with a self-locking, self-closing fence with verticalbars. Keep toys away from the pool when it is not in use. Toys can attractyoung children into the pool.

� Always keep basic lifesaving equipment by the pool and know how to use it.Pole, rope, and personal flotation devices (PFDs) are recommended.

� Post CPR instructions and directions to call 9-1-1 or the local emergencynumber in the pool area.

Safe Grilling:� Use gas and charcoal barbecue grills outside only.� Position grills far from siding, deck railings, overhanging branches and house

eaves.� Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.� Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.� Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using grills.� Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.

Other safety tips:� Beware of insect stings: If you have known allergies to insect bites, be sure

to carry an insect sting kit.� Ticks: If you find a tick, remove it by pulling steadily and firmly. Grasp the tick

with fine-tipped tweezers, as close to the skin as possible, and pull slowly.Wash area and apply antiseptic or antibiotic ointment. Watch area for infection.See a physician if you see signs of a rash in that area.

American Red CrossSummer Safety Tips

properly, the dangers from outdoorcooking extend way beyond burningthe baby back ribs or hot dogs.To minimize the danger of fire,

Bradley says cooking should only beallowed on condo porches if the unitis “completely non-combustible,” orbuilt with only brick and steel. Ifthere’s any wood on the deck, Bradleystrongly recommends having ownersgrill in designated areas away fromresidential buildings.Even if a porch is completely non-

combustible, Bradley says it also needsto be 100 percent open to allow safecooking. Semi-enclosed porches cantrap carbon monoxide from cooking,leading to poisoning of residents, henotes. For that reason, Bradley recom-mends that condos specify cooking bedone outdoors if the porches are any-thing less than fully open.Finally, Bradley says grilling should

be a job for adults only, due to risk ofbeing burnt or causing a fire. Minorsshould be prohibited from cooking,and children should be likewise bannedfrom getting within three feet of grills,due to the danger of tip-over, he says.

PARKING LOTSSpeaking of children, there’s typically

a lot more of them outside duringsummer with school being out. To dealwith late night parties and vandalismthat comes from out-of-school teenagers,Whitman says his condos use a towingservice as part of their own security.Each and every night, the condo’stowing company sweeps throughand tows every car that doesn’t have aresident sticker, he says. To motivatethe towing company, Whitman says,the condo lets them charge the statemaximum and “we let them have allthe money from towing; the propertydoesn’t touch it.”

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(AEDs), which can restart a heartstopped by a heart attack, says Bradley.“If it’s a bigger facility, they may wantto consider purchasing an AED andkeeping it centrally located,” he says.The AED will ideally be located in apublicly-accessible place, and securedin a cabinet that would sound analarm when opened.Communities concerned about

liability from providing or using anAED needn't be worried, says Bradley.“These devices are becoming socommonplace, I would be concernedthat there would be liability if theydidn’t have one, or didn’t use it,” saysBradley. Because AEDs are so easy touse and heavily-tested, Bradley says“these devices are extremely safe. Theyhave almost no possibility of causingharm. So the only thing they can dois save a life, where otherwise a lifewould be lost.”Training in first aid and CPR is

highly recommended, especially foron-site staff, says Bradley. The sitestaff “become the front line that thetenants are going to look to when anemergency occurs,” he says.To be prepared, Bradley recommends

that managers and staff take coursesin First Aid, CPR, and AED and getcertified to perform those procedures.Inexpensive courses are available

through the Red Cross in virtuallyevery town in New England, saysBradley.“Red Cross training is the common

thread in all of this. It gives manage-ment the skill and the confidence toact in an emergency,” says Bradley.And when an emergency occurs at

the condominium, a little preparationgoes a long way.

Jim Douglass is the managing editor ofNew England Condominium magazine.

42 � NEW ENGLAND CONDOMINIUM � July 2009

Going on Vacation?Summertime is also a safety-challenged time for homeowners goingaway on vacation. To make sure everything is safe and sound whenthey come back, homeowners should take the following precautions,courtesy of ServiceMaster by Gilmore Brothers.

• Have a friend or relative house-sit while you’re gone.

• If that’s not possible, ask someone to check on your home once ortwice a week until you return, and follow these recommendations.

• Unplug all appliances before leaving.

• Remove potentially-combustible materials from your home andstore in a cool dry area away from the house.

• Remove gasoline from snow blowers, lawnmowers and othergasoline-powered machinery.

• Leave emergency phone numbers including police, fire, and yourinsurance agent or company, in plain sight in case of emergency.