Articles Posted in Public Service Announcement

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SprayParkIn preparation of Healthy and Safe Swimming Week, the CDC reminds families to check the latest inspection results before heading anywhere with treated water this summer. Thousands of public pools, hot tubs and water playgrounds were closed last year due to serious violation.

While apartment and hotel owners are required to protect residents and guests from preventable pool-related injuries and illnesses, there are precautions families can take themselves before heading to the pool or water playground. The CDC encourages parents of young swimmers to complete their own inspection of the most common swimming pool health and safety code violations using a short checklist:

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Security cameraSPD Urges Community Crime Watch for Apartment and Condo Residents

While apartment complex owners and managers are responsible for providing a safe and secure premises, residents can help to protect themselves and their neighbors through a Community Crime Watch.

The Seattle Police Department explains, a “Community Crime Watch…is based on the principle that neighbors working together are the first and best line of defense against crime.”

Read SPD tips to get a Community Crime Watch started in your apartment community:

Two Basic Commitments

  1. A commitment to be concerned about your neighbor’s property as well as your own.
  2. A commitment that when you see suspicious activity, you will take action by calling your neighbor or 9-1-1.

Getting Started

  • Get to know all your adjacent neighbors and communicate often
  • Agree to watch out for each other
  • Do small tasks for each other to improve territoriality.  Simply acknowledging people you see – whether you know them or not – sends the message that you as a community are paying attention to your environment.
  • Pay attention to what is going on around the building, the community. If you see people or vehicles in the building or on the grounds that you don’t recognize, and/or you notice behaviors that seem out of place, tell someone; tell each other, tell building or property management.  If the behavior is suspicious or criminal in nature, do not hesitate to call 911 and tell police.
  • Do small tasks for each other to improve territoriality.  Simply acknowledging people you see – whether you know them or not – sends the message that you as a community are paying attention to your environment.

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200389576-001The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (COHS) describes the potential risks of workplace parking lots and how employees may protect themselves from parking lot crime.

Always

  • Park near your building in a highly visible and well-lit area.
  • Park near the parking attendant, if there is one, or near the stairs or a well-lit exit in an underground lot.
  • Use the main building entrance–avoid rear or secluded exits.
  • Keep your valuables, including purses and recent purchases, out of sight. Always lock them in the trunk if you have to leave them in the car.
  • Lock the doors and roll up windows once you are in the vehicle.
  • Have a plan ahead of time. Know where you can go for safety and how to call for help.

Do Not

  • Do not use more than one parking spot, as it may anger another person.
  • Do not park next to large vans, trucks or other vehicles, as they will block your sight.
  • Do not have a personal identification tag on your key ring. If your keys are lost or stolen, a thief will be able to find your car or house.
  • Do not approach someone if they are loitering near your vehicle. Walk to a safe place, such as a lighted store, house or building. Call the police.
  • Do not dig in your purse or bag.
  • Do not wear headphones or be distracted by a cell phone conversation.
  • Do not carry heavy briefcases or bags that may get in the way.

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