Winter Weather Conditions and Actions

Winter weather has made its way to our area. In order to avoid many of the problems associated with this type of weather, please take the following precautions.

To reduce the risk of freezing pipes:

1.       Leave the heat on 24 hours a day at a temperature setting of no less than 60 degrees

2.       Keep all windows closed. Be sure to leave the cabinet doors under the kitchen and bathroom sink open to allow heat to get to the plumbing. When temperatures are dangerously low, please allow ALL faucets (sinks, tubs, and showers) in the apartment to drip 24 hours a day to at the rate of 6-8 drops per minute. This includes both cold and hot water. The faucets should be allowed to drip while you are in the apartment as well as while you are out.

3.       Leave all drains open. Including lavatories, sinks, and bathtubs.

4.       Notify management IMMEDIATELY if you notice and running water. As authorized in your lease, management may enter your apartment to check for leaks and/or damages

Damages to your own property:

If the pipes in or around your dwelling should freeze and break, there could be substantial water damage to the apartment, your personal property and your neighbor’s property as well. You could be liable for such damages if you have negligently failed to take proper precautions. The casualty insurance on the apartment owner’s building dose not covers the personal belongings of other people within dwelling. You are encouraged to obtain renter’s insurance to cover unexpected damage to your personal belongings resulting from fire, water and similar hazards.

Ice Surfaces:

Please remember to be careful of ice and snow on steps, sidewalks and parking areas. Management will make a reasonable effort to apply de-icing materials to common walkways; however, we cannot guarantee the surface areas will be ice-free so be extra careful when walking during and after winter weather (snow, Ice, Etc).

Thank you for your prompt and continuous cooperation regarding this matter.

By:  Josh Coleman

A Stress-Free Thanksgiving

Ten tips for an easier holiday

There are plenty of small steps you can take to reduce holiday stress.
1. Arm yourself with a plan: Sit down and make a guest list. From the number of guests, plan your menu. Then you can create a complete shopping list and decide if you're doing all of the cooking or if others will be bringing dishes. Take inventory at least two weeks out of your dinnerware, kitchen tools, and gadgets, spices and other staples in your pantry, and don't forget to count chairs!

2. Shop early: Grocery stores get more packed the longer you wait, plus you run the risk of some of your needs being sold out. Try to do your shopping early morning or late evening at least one week before the big day.

3. Make-ahead magic: Plenty of side dishes, desserts, and breads can be made ahead of time. This frees up your counter space and your to-do list. If you do have to make several dishes on Thanksgiving, try to distribute them evenly between the stovetop, the oven, and the microwave.

4. Perform a test flight: If you're making a side dish for the first time or using ingredients that you aren't familiar with, try them out beforehand so you'll be prepared for success on Thanksgiving Day. Ditto if you're serving a new wine or using new equipment, like a brand new oven.

5. Manage the little ones: Keeping the kids occupied takes time as well. Having a group of kid-friendly DVDs on hand is a no-brainer, but don't stop there. Kids can help in the kitchen with cookie decorating or in the dining room with setting the table.

6. Shrink the menu: With the size of the feast on most of our tables, it really isn't necessary to load your guests up on dips, snacks, or appetizers. A platter of cut fresh vegetables should do the trick.

7. Turkey duty: As the place where all eyes are focused, preparing a perfect Thanksgiving turkey carries a huge amount of stress. The most important thing: don't forget to defrost the bird. In the refrigerator is the best method, but will take longer. You can also submerge the turkey in cold water to speed thawing. Keep the bird basted as it cooks and let it stand for at least 30 minutes after it comes out of the oven to keep it moist.

Apartment Fire Safety Tips

There are several steps that you can take to help prevent a fire from starting. Let’s walk through them together!

1. Be careful with smoking materials and never smoke in bed.

2. Keep matches and lighters where children can’t get to them.

3. Never leave cooking food unattended.

4. Keep heating equipment at least three feet away from combustible materials.

5. Replace worn electrical cords, make sure to always use power strips if additional outlets are needed.

6. Do not store flammable liquids or compressed gases in your apartment or on your balcony.

7. Do not use your balcony for storage or for grilling food. Make sure you are ten feet away from all buildings.

If there is a fire in your apartment, make sure you have a plan and know that your plan works. Plan it out! Practice it! Know it! Know your fire escape route and know where all the extinguishers are in the building. Last but not least never ignore fire alarms.

Be safe,
-Savannah