7 Holiday Safety Tips for Your HOA Community

Winter is upon us again, and with it, the holiday season where most people get to meet friends and family and have fun. Shopping, traveling, and family gatherings to catch up are exciting activities that most people look forward to during this season.

Spreading good tidings can be very emotionally rewarding for most people. Still, as a leader in your community association, you are responsible for ensuring that all activities that come with the holidays are safe for your community, homeowners, and board.

Here are seven tips to help you ensure your community enjoys the holiday season without any incidents regarding their safety and security.

#1. Minimize theft of personal information

Investing in data security and protecting homeowners from data breaches is directly related to the fiduciary security of board members. And as the holiday season brings more transactions and distractions, it's time to be especially vigilant about homeowner accounts, payments, and valuation processing. 

You can minimize the theft of personal information in the following ways:

• Immediately processing of paper checks. 
• Migrating to a digital document storage platform.
• Using the latest digital file encryption software.
• Storing the community paper documents in locked rooms and locked filing cabinets.
• Assign a shredder company to provide a sealed shredder box for files that have reached the end of their retention period.

#2. Service Firefighting Equipment

Because homeowners utilize the common space to conduct vacation events, you must guarantee that the alarm system functions properly. Also, don't forget to inspect and repair the following:

• Guide lights 
• Fire sprinklers
• Fire extinguisher
• Fire alarm component
• Emergency lighting equipment 
• Fire alarms and carbon monoxide alarms 
• All other special alert devices in the community

#3. Encourage Individual Security Measures

Only by working together can a safe and secure community be built. Board members play a role in the association's security, but homeowners must also play a role by assuring the safety of their houses and households.

Share tips on websites, apps, or community newsletters to let residents know how to stay safe. Here are a few examples of what they can do to enhance security in the community.

• Regularly collect mail or parcels.
• Add a video doorbell or home security camera.
• Regularly maintain sidewalks, driveways, and landscaping.
• Quickly replace non-functional outdoor lighting and good lighting of outdoor areas at night.
• Getting to know your neighbors is kind and a great way to take care of each other.
• When you go out for a night drive, leave the room lighting on so that the apartment looks like it's occupied. Alternatively, set a light timer to turn it on and off at different times for each room.

#4. Implement a Neighborhood Monitoring Program

The holiday season is also particularly vulnerable to luggage theft and personal safety. Neighborhood watch programs or committees can help fight this by coordinating with local law enforcement agencies, patrolling the neighborhood, and giving homeowners safety tips.

If you do not already have a neighborhood monitoring program or committee, consider starting one. Setting up committees and forming small groups is easy with the following resources: 

• Local police station
• Fire department
• Dog walker watch
• National night out

#5. Prepare for Weather Problems

During the winter, the accumulation of ice and snow can quickly lead to dangerous conditions. So go ahead with your to-do list and get a maintenance contract covering your roads and sidewalks before winter weather.

Other tips are: 

• Apply salt or other ice-melting compounds to streets and sidewalks.
• Repair cracked sidewalks and other sidewalks damaged by ice or snow.
• Remove water from sidewalks and roads in the community.

#6. Maintain Landscaping

Protect the common area and ensure that the common area is not overgrown or untouched. If the property is not adequately maintained, the community remains vulnerable to trespassing and crime.

• Mow the grass in a common area.
• Keep the sidewalk free of ice, snow, sand, and debris.
• Ensure shrubs are no more than 3 feet high and tree branches are at least 6 feet above the ground.
  

#7. Water the Christmas Tree

If you want to use a living Christmas tree, don't forget to water it well to dry up. A dry Christmas tree is a significant security risk. Also, turn off both tree and house lights when you're away from home or sleeping.

Not only is it energy-wasting, but it also poses a potential fire risk. Therefore, keeping the Christmas tree away from heat sources such as fireplaces and burning candles is advisable.