Home Prices Post 4th Straight Quarter of Gains
U.S. home prices posted year-over-year gains for the fourth consecutive quarter as prices rose 10.2% in the period ending in March, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller national index.
The index posted its highest annual returns since 2007, according David Blitzer, head of S&P’s index division.
But the strong gains over the past year may be a bit of a statistical mirage, according to Robert Shiller, a Yale economist and co-founder of the index. “Foreclosure sales are down, so naturally [price] indexes that include foreclosures are up,” he said.
Foreclosures sell for less than comparable non-foreclosure properties, so with fewer of them selling, home prices will show gains.
Eventually, the percentage of distressed properties being sold will stabilize near their historic norms and will play less of a role in future home price comparisons. When that happens, price gains will flatten out a bit.
There’s another factor arguing against continued price gains, according to Shiller. Home prices are already at what he considers “normal” levels, adjusted for inflation. Even the steep housing downturn only took prices to where they would have been if they hadn’t skyrocketed during the bubble.
Index co-founder Karl Case worries about the low number of housing starts recorded this month. That’s a possible sign that the economic recovery is flagging, which would slow home sales as well.
“New construction is a big deal and starts are the most important number,” he said. “It goes right to the GDP.”
Both economists, however, are still cautiously bullish for two main reasons. First is the fact that near-record low mortgage rates have made home buying more affordable. The second is all the pent-up demand in the housing market after years of sluggish sales.
Phoenix recorded the largest year-over-year price spike, with a 22.5% jump. San Francisco prices rose 22.2% and Las Vegas prices grew 20.6%. New York, at just 2.6%, saw a modest annual increase.
Posted By: John H. Ganoe, CAE Publish Date: Publish Site: cmcacorner.com/2013/05/28/home-prices-post-4th-straight-quarter-of-gains/
Strategies for Dealing with Noise Disputes
Noise disputes among owners can be one of the most troublesome problems community associations and their managers face. Not only can they be expensive to resolve, they can cause community unrest and bad feelings. However, if a community association acts quickly and assertively, it may be able to diffuse the dispute, or at least keep the association out of court.
Noise issues often involve a downstairs owner’s complaints of noise coming from the unit above. This frequently involves floor coverings, or the lack of them. The typical dispute has a common set of facts. An upstairs unit owner decides to upgrade by removing existing carpeting and installing hardwood or some other hard-surface flooring in its place. This upgrade occurs without application or notice to the architectural control committee. The first time the board becomes aware of the problem is when a complaint is made by the owner of the unit below. The usual complaints include increased noise from the upper unit-walking, voices, music, or television sounds.
Not all noise complaints relate to floor coverings. Some buildings lack sufficient soundproofing between adjacent units allowing greater than normal sound transmission. Floor structures can lack sufficient rigidity, causing them to “creak” or “groan” when walked on. But the vast majority of such claims come from a downstairs unit owner reporting elevated noise levels after an upgrade to hard-surface floors. Floor coverings are part of a unit owner’s separate interest. They are not common area and the association will not usually have direct responsibility for their performance as it would with a defective structural element, for example. However, the governing documents may include floor covering provisions as part of the architectural guidelines that the association is charged to enforce. Also, the association can be responsible under the governing documents for abating a “nuisance” regardless of whether the nuisance involves a separate or common interest.
CC&R provisions relating to noise transmission. Here are four typical provisions found in community association governing documents. The first one prohibits hard-surface floors unless approved by the Architectural Control Committee and any change must provide sound insulation equivalent to the original carpet and padding.
1. Floor Coverings: No change in the floor covering materials as originally installed in the Units by Declarant shall be permitted except with the consent of the Architectural Control Committee. To reduce sound transmission between Units, all Units shall have all floor areas except entries, kitchens and bathrooms covered with carpet or other material which provides equivalent insulation against sound transmission. Flooring in bathrooms shall be acoustical cushioned linoleum as originally installed by Declarant, or material with the same or better acoustical quality and rating.
The second example prohibits any change in floor covering that would increase noise:
2. Sound Transmission. No Unit shall be altered in any manner that would increase sound transmission to any adjoining or other Unit, including, but not limited to, the replacement or modification of any flooring or floor covering or the penetration of any wall, floor or ceiling that increases sound transmissions to any other Unit.
This last example sets objective noise transmission standards that must be met by any floor covering change:
3. Floors. All changes to floors separating Units (tile, hardwood, stone, carpet, etc.) must provide code-compliant sound control properties for airborne
and impact sound insulation. In addition, the floor/ceiling assemblies must satisfy the higher sound control requirements established for the Project as set forth herein. The impact sound insulation rating of the floor ceiling assemblies after installation must be Field Impact Insulation Class (FIlC) 50 or higher. Airborne sound insulation rating thereof must be Noise Isolation Class (NIC) 52 or higher.
If a flooring change is subject to architectural control, nuisance regulations, outright prohibitions, or objective standards, the association will usually be brought into the dispute.
Responding to a noise complaint. A complaint might be presented by the lower unit owner, who, armed with the CC&Rs, reports to the board that he or she is experiencing unreasonably loud sounds coming from the upper unit. Further, the owner reports that they are aware that the upper unit owner installed hard-surface flooring and demands that the association intervene and require the owner to remove the hard-surface covering and restore the carpet.
At some point, the board will ask the upper unit owner to verify or deny the complaining owner’s version of events. A manager might be dispatched to investigate the claim by requesting an inspection. In many instances, the back and forth between the association and the upper unit owner can go on for months all to the frustration of the downstairs unit owner. Because noise and noise tolerance among individuals varies so much, the board usually has no idea of the severity of the problem. Like eyes and beauty, noise lies within the “ears” of the beholder.
The danger for the association in these situations is underestimating the severity of the problem and giving the appearance that the association is not willing to enforce relevant provisions of the CC&Rs—assuming they exist. In extreme cases, the downstairs owner could hire an attorney and file a lawsuit against the association for failing to enforce the CC&Rs. Unfortunately, if that happens, the association may discover that its liability insurance excludes claims arising from sound transmission. The association then would find itself embroiled in litigation that it must fund.
Strategies to avoid litigation. There are strategies the association can take to avoid the possibility of being on the receiving end of a lawsuit. In our view, quick, assertive action by the board can minimize the potential for litigation or at least strengthen the association’s case if it does get sued.
If the CC&Rs exempt the association from enforcing “neighbor on neighbor” issues like noise complaints, the board should immediately advise the owners of that fact and leave the enforcement to the complaining owner. Unfortunately, the board’s duty in this regard may not always be clear. A review of the situation by the association’s counsel may be necessary to determine the proper course of action. If it is clearly the association’s obligation to enforce noise issues, either because they are a nuisance, require architectural control approval, or because they must meet an objective standard, the board of directors will be required to take action.
Once involved, the board must weigh its commitment of association resources against the dictates of the governing documents. If it determines that the noise issue, from every objective point of view is really not that severe, the board should explain that while it is sympathetic to the sound issues that the lower unit owner is experiencing, the use of association resources to address what is largely a subjective problem does not make sense. For example, if the dispute does not involve a change in floor covering, but the upstairs neighbor just walks with a heavy foot, none of the CC&R provisions above would necessarily require board action. In that case the lower unit owner should be reminded that if the association were to intervene it would be using member assessments to cure a purely behavioral problem between two owners. Of course, the risk in taking a hands-off position is that the association may find itself embroiled in litigation involuntarily.
But if the noise dispute falls squarely within a provision like one of those above, action may be required. In these situations, the association should tell the lower unit owner that it is reviewing the available enforcement remedies. Depending upon the provisions of the governing documents, this could include calling the upper unit owner into a hearing to discuss the flooring dispute and issuing fines to the upper unit owner if the board verifies that the floors were installed without approval and in violation of the governing documents. It could also include issuing a Notice of Noncompliance to the upper unit owner and including that notice in the unit file. If the board has determined to limit its enforcement of this dispute it may want to make clear to the lower unit owner that its enforcement activities, while aggressive to a point, will not for example, involve the filing of a lawsuit. In other situations, especially where the change in flooring material is a specific violation of the governing documents, the board may need to take a harder stance.
If the governing documents couch noise requirements in such terms as “equivalent insulation” or set objective standards for noise, a sound test by an acoustic engineer may be necessary. However, even if a sound test concludes that the sound transmission from the upper to the lower unit is within standards, that conclusion may do little to comfort the complaining lower unit owner. Further, some noise “standards” that are available in the housing industry are usually relatively easy to meet, meaning that compliance with them does not necessarily mean that the floors are “soundproof” or that the noise from above will not continue to be annoying.
The association, in evaluating whether or not a breach of the governing documents has occurred, should interpret them narrowly where a subjective evaluation is involved. To do otherwise exposes the board to the risk of substituting its own judgment in place of the governing documents, unnecessarily bringing the association into a dispute that it has the right to avoid, and inviting litigation.
Setting conditions of approval of a flooring change. If the association’s CC&Rs give the board discretion to allow flooring modifications from carpet to hard-surface flooring, the board may wish to impose conditions on that approval. For example, it could require that the upstairs owner provide evidence of “insulation equivalency” by means of a sound test or laboratory data. Where the “standard” has been met, but the noise from above could still be objectionable, the board may want to reserve the right to require the upper unit owner to use area rugs or runners to mitigate the sound transmission. In any approval of flooring changes, the board should also require that the owner of the unit requesting the flooring change defend and indemnify the board against any claims made by third parties related to the flooring change. This will ensure that if the association does get sued it can look to the upper unit owner to fund its defense.
Noise issues are subjective and no two owners will perceive them alike. The association’s obligation is to enforce the CC&Rs as they are written, but it must also respect the rights of both the upstairs and downstairs owners to the greatest extent possible. But once the association board of directors has given both parties notice and an opportunity to be heard on the issue, it should determine its course of action and stick with it. Anything else will simply create more opportunities for debate.
Written By: Paul W. Windust, Esq. Publish Site: www.berding-weil.net/articles/strategies-for-dealing-with-noise-disputes.php
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How to Become A Community Leader
Becoming a community leader is one of the most fulfilling roles you may ever undertake. Are you a citizen who wants to bring about change to your community? Do you look around your town and see things that need improvement?
Perhaps you believe:
A crime-watch organization would benefit your area?
You can contribute to your school system’s quality?
A food pantry should be set up in your community?
A stop sign needs to be placed at a busy intersection?
Whatever your concerns, you can develop the leadership skills that will bring about real change in your community.
Get involved in your neighborhood
Though you may not think of yourself as a natural-born leader, it’s possible to develop strong and credible leadership skills. Both extroverted and introverted people can be excellent leaders…it’s all about the passion.
“Even people who don’t think of themselves as leaders can get involved,” says Chevy Chase, Maryland, resident Barry Hager, president of Hager Associates, a Washington, D.C.-based legal and consulting firm.
Hager was appointed by the town’s mayor to head a committee to address zoning issues. “Even if you weren’t a leader in high school, you can do what needs to be done,” adds Hager, who, along with others in his town, successfully limited some of the residential over-building in his community.
Listen to others
If you wish to be a vital leader in your community, it’s important to listen closely to what others have to say. Value others’ opinions. Other people will become more involved if they know their opinions are important. “You really have to be willing to spend the time listening to other people because people don’t want to hear a speech, they want to have a conversation,” Hager says. “You have to be willing to listen to your neighbors, talk through issues, develop a consensus, and take the time to do this.”
Improve your public speaking skills
Another part of being a good community leader is the ability to speak in front of people, whether it’s just a few individuals, or a crowd of people. That’s a skill that not all people have, but one that can be developed over time. “Good public speakers are confident, prepared, and knowledgeable, and they have subject matter expertise,” says Daniel Rex, executive director of Toastmasters International.
“In addition, they need to have thought in advance about what they want to say, and how they are going to support what they are going to say,” he says. “Are they going to use a microphone, walk around the room or use a whiteboard?”
Practice makes perfect
No matter how you address your audience, there’s no doubt that the more you practice getting up in front of a group to deliver your message, the more proficient you will become as a public speaker. “Confidence comes from practice, and getting in front of an audience as often as you can,” Rex says.
The rewards are great
Serving as a community leader certainly has its rewards, Hager says. “You do get to bring about change, and make new and stronger friendships,” he says.
Article provided by AssociaLiving Publish Date: March 8, 2011 Publish Site: www.hoamanagementblog.com/2011/03/how-to-become-a-community-leader/
The Secret to Good Board Meetings
Board meetings should be productive, efficient meetings where the board conducts business. Are your board meetings productive and efficient? Does the board meet to conduct business or socialize? Are you getting the most out of your meetings?
Consider doing a few of these things:
Prepare a Realistic Agenda. Five page agendas with 50 objectives set out may be impressive but they are unrealistic and counter-productive. You need to set a list of priorities for each meeting and focus on those issues. If you have 50 issues you want to address, spread them out over the course of the year. You will be more efficient and see better results if you are able to manage your agenda.
Set an end time to your meetings. Meetings should last no more than an hour. Start the meeting when it is scheduled to begin and get straight to business. If you collectively have the focus to get done in an hour you’ll be amazed with how much you can accomplish. If you have no time limit, the meeting will typically drag on and a lot of time will be wasted. When time is wasted at a meeting then people are less likely to volunteer because they feel their time is wasted. One hour meetings have a major impact on volunteers. Associations that hold focused, one hour meetings have more people volunteer. It’s also important to note that those volunteers stay active the in the community for much longer. Length of your board meetings may seem like a trivial matter, but it really does have a large impact on how the volunteers of the association view the organization and, in turn, how they view their role.
Be familiar with the Covenants and Bylaws. Key elements with which board members should familiarize themselves are the association’s governing documents that define the board’s authority. If you have a management company, they should provide guidance on your role as a board member, your fiduciary responsibility, specific board responsibilities from decision-making to administrative tasks, and how to conduct and participate in board meetings. Other vital information will include how to avoid personal liability, professional conduct at meetings, parliamentary procedures, the operating and reserve budgets, federal, state and local laws that impact your community, and appropriate insurance coverage.
Come prepared. Be familiar with the issues that will be addressed at the meeting. If you have questions, ask them prior to the meeting so that your manager (if professionally managed) can have ample time to find the answers. This will help the meeting be more effective and brief. There is nothing more frustrating to those attending the meeting than for fellow board members to come unprepared and want to discuss issues at great length.
Make the meeting a time for action. Next, hold action oriented HOA board meetings. Don’t just discuss issues, make decisions. Every item up for discussion should end in a vote to move forward in some way or table the issue with a clear understanding of why the item is being tabled and when it will be revisited. When taking action on an item make sure it is clear who will be responsible for getting that task completed. Ambiguity cripples a board.
Don’t be confrontational. Board members should recognize they are part of a team and not take a confrontational position with fellow board members or their management company. No one should have to work or conduct business in a hostile environment. Realize that at times you will not always agree, but take the position that even disagreement can bring compromise and consensus. Be concise with your opinion and thoughts and then be sure to listen to others. Always be respectful of your fellow board members and staff, as well as the homeowners. The tone of the board can set the tone of the community. So, if you want to have a healthy, vibrant and successful community, you should reflect that image as a board member.
Treat your Community Manager with Respect. Your community manager is your agent, not your employee. They act on behalf of the board and facilitate the decisions of the board. Remember that they are professionals and should be treated as such. It can be detrimental to a board and its community to consistently be at odds with their management company. They are there to offer their expertise based on their experience, training and education to ensure that the board doesn’t compromise their fiduciary responsibility. A board should trust and rely on their management company’s vast experience and unlimited resources. If your board has lost trust in the management company, have a frank discussion with the company’s CEO regarding whatever problems exist. Perhaps a different manager can restore your trust, eliminating the need to start all over with a new company.
Be a Team Player. If you recognize that, as a board member, you are part of a team of volunteers and management experts, you will be rewarded when you use those resources to make decisions that are based on sound business judgment. This, in turn, will inspire others to serve and build a team of future leaders who will want to emulate your leadership. By doing so, you will find serving on the board is not a burdensome chore, but a rewarding experience that you will value for years to come.
Be determined to have one of the best HOA’s in Atlanta by having an HOA management company that focuses on helping you have effective meetings.
Publish Site: hoamanagement.com/blog/secret-good-board-meetings
HOA Landscape Sustainability
The term “sustainability” is seen a lot these days when describing earth friendly techniques for managing landscaping. Sustainable has been defined as “maintaining ecological balance by exploiting natural resources.” There are five key reasons to adopt sustainable landscape practices:
- Improve soil and plant health
- Save water, money and the environment
- Create or improve habitat and biodiversity
- Address child and pet safety concerns
- It’s the right thing to do
While options for sustainability vary in complexity and cost, there are several low-to-no-cost changes your homeowner association can make now to support these goals:
Water Conservation. This is the most accessible win-win in the effort to advance sustainability. An investment in Smart Controllers (weather-based watering) and new, more efficient sprinklers can cut water consumption in half. The return on investment is often just one to three years based on reduced water bills.
Reduce Electricity Consumption. Quiet, zero emissions, battery-powered landscape equipment is a reality! Find out what options are available.
Organic Weed Control. New organic or natural products for controlling unwanted plants are coming to the market like a “fatty acid” for non-selective weed control and another that is iron based for lawn weeds. No organic or natural product is as effective as traditional herbicides, so more time must be spent in their application. Also, there are no effective natural/organic materials for pre-emergent weed control. So, figure on a modest budget increase for this service.
Mulching Lawn Clippings. Leaving mowed clippings in place on the lawn is quite beneficial to the health of the turf. It amounts to a regular infusion of nutrient-rich organic matter to the lawn. This organic matter feeds the beneficial organisms of a healthy biotic system. Although this technique should only be practiced when the grass is relatively dry, it should be a part of the plan.
Organic Insect Pest Control. The preferred position when it comes to landscape pests is simply to ignore them. Don’t spray insecticides to control pests that will rarely become a serious problem. In fact, when pests do become objectionable, it is usually because the site is not suited for the plant species that attracts them. When it becomes necessary to treat for pests, replacing them with better-adapted species is the best route to take. When a pest control 
application is necessary, there are options which use organic materials and biological controls.
Gardens for Beneficial Insects & Pollinators. Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Honey Bees, Lady Bugs and Praying Mantis! Let beneficial insects take care of many common garden pests naturally while allowing pollinators to harvest pollen. With global populations of honey bees declining, it is important to keep them strong and doing their job. There are many native and adapted plants that will attract, harbor and provide the necessary food for all types of beneficial insects and pollinators. Add a few new plants each year to build a better future on a small budget.
Work with your landscape contractor to integrate sustainable techniques which either cost little or actually reduce your cost. Your homeowner association and Planet Earth will be better off.
Written By: Randy McManus and Richard Thompson Published Date: May 10, 2013 Publish Site: realtytimes.com/rtpages/20130510_hoalandscape.htm
Spring and Summer Outdoor Safety
The return of warmer temperatures brings the opportunity for freedom, relaxation, exploration, and being closer to nature. Whether you’re relaxing in the backyard, tuning up your garden, hitting the pool, or exploring the great outdoors, here are some ways to help keep you and your family healthy this spring and summer.
Beware of Bugs
Warmer temperatures aren’t just attractive to people, but to mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas. Mosquitoes can transmit West Nile virus , St. Louis encephalitis virus , eastern equine encephalitis virus and even dengue; ticks can transmit Lyme disease and other serious infections; and fleas can transmit plague.
To prevent these illnesses, use an appropriate insect and tick repellent and apply it properly. Prime mosquito-biting hours are usually from dusk to dawn, but ticks are out at all times. Young ticks are so small that they can be difficult to see, but both young and adult ticks hungrily look to animals and sometimes people to bite.
To keep ticks at a distance, avoid tick-infested areas (especially places with leaf-litter and high grasses) and use repellent containing 20% DEET. If it’s primarily mosquitoes that are the problem, CDC recommends repelling them with products that contain DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus. You can also treat clothing with permethrin (which protects through several washings) or purchase clothing that is pre-treated with permethrin. Always follow the directions on repellent packaging.
After coming indoors, shower as soon as possible and check your body for ticks. Make sure that your children also bathe or shower and get checked for ticks. Wash and tumble dry your clothing and check your pets for ticks. If you find an attached tick, don’t panic, ticks are easy to remove with a pair of fine-tipped tweezers. Consult your healthcare provider if you develop a rash, fever, body aches, fatigue or headache, stiff neck, disorientation in the 1-3 weeks following a bite. It could be any number of illnesses.
Pesticides, vegetation-free play areas, and landscaping techniques for tick-free zones can also help limit your exposure to ticks and other insects.
Healthy Pets, Healthy People
While you’re outside enjoying the weather, remember to protect your pets too. Keeping healthy pets will help keep you and your family healthy. Children can get roundworm and hookworm from soil contaminated by pet feces (stool), so make sure that puppies and kittens are seen by a veterinarian and dewormed. Protect family pets from ticks and fleas by keeping them on a flea and tick control program. Talk to your veterinarian for advice on the appropriate anti-bug products to use on your pet.
Dining Al Fresco
Nothing says summer like the smoky flavor of foods cooked out on the grill. When grilling, use a meat thermometer to make sure that you cook meat and poultry
thoroughly. The era of medium-rare hamburgers is over! Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F in order to kill germs found in raw and undercooked meat. Also, put cooked meat on a clean platter, rather than back on the one that held the raw meat, to avoid cross-contamination. Wash hands, kitchen work surfaces, and utensils with soap and water immediately after they have been in contact with raw meat or poultry. Whether you’re cooking out in the backyard or on a picnic, always keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot. When you’re finished eating, refrigerate leftovers promptly. For downloadable tips, see Safe Food Handling: Seven Super Steps to Safe Food In the Summer on our partner site, FightBAC.org.
Around the Yard
It is now time to seal up, trap up, and clean up to prevent rodent infestation. As you’re clearing out clutter, fill any gaps or holes inside and outside your home. Eliminate or seal rodent food sources such as pet food, bird feeders, and garbage cans. Elevate hay, woodpiles, and garbage cans at least 1 foot off the ground, and trim grass and shrubbery within 100 feet of your home.
In the yard, remove any items that may collect standing water, such as buckets, old tires, and toys. Mosquitoes can breed in them in just days. You can reduce the number of ticks around your home by removing leaf litter, brush and woodpiles around your house and at the edge of your yard. By clearing trees and brush in your yard, you can reduce the likelihood that deer, rodents, and ticks will live there. Replace or repair torn window screens to keep bugs out of the house.
Gardening is a great outdoor activity for people of all ages. Stay safe and healthy as you grab your tools and head outside. Wear gloves, use safety gear when handling equipment and chemicals, protect yourself from the sun, and use insect repellent. Also watch out for extreme heat and know your limitations. You can also review and share with your love ones some tips for preventing heat-related illnesses.
Do not allow children to play in areas that are soiled with pet or other animal stool. Cover sandboxes when not in use to make sure that animals do not get inside and contaminate them with parasites that can cause diseases like toxocariasis and toxoplasmosis.
Pollens and air pollutants can be triggers for allergic reactions and asthma. Some experiences include nasal and sinus allergies and hives. Asthma can cause recurrent symptoms such as wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and coughing. Stay healthy by properly taking any prescription or over-the-counter allergy medicine and having and following an asthma action plan. Wearing a protective nose and mouth mask, or even sunglasses or protective eyewear, while doing yard work could help to avoid the triggers that cause allergy and asthma complications.
Fun in the Sun
Protect yourself and your family from recreational water illnesses (illnesses caused by germs or chemicals in recreational water) by doing your part to keep germs out of the pool. Do not swim when you have diarrhea, don’t swallow pool water, take a shower before swimming, and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers. Keeping germs out of the pool means a healthier swimming experience for everyone. Check the Healthy Swimming site’s Resources page for helpful tools (such as videos, podcasts, and brochures) and “How To’s,” including how to use pool and hot tub test strips.
Prevent skin cancer. Avoid being outdoors during the midday if the sun is intense, use sunscreen with at least SPF 15, cover up with clothing, wear a brimmed hat, and wear sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays. Be aware of the signs of heat stress.
In the Great Outdoors
When you’re out on the trail, whether hiking, camping, or hunting, protect yourself from mosquitoes and other bugs by using insect/tick repellent. Wear permethrin-treated clothing when practical. Check your clothes and body for ticks daily. If you find any ticks, carefully remove them with tweezers. The ticks that transmit Lyme disease are most active in May, June, and July, but check for ticks in all warm months to protect yourself against other tick-borne diseases.
Just because a stream’s water looks clear, it doesn’t mean it’s safe to drink. Giardia and Cryptosporidium are two parasites that you can’t see, but they can make you very sick, so follow healthy swimming tips. Always treat or filter water to make it safe to drink.
Bats are fun to watch as they flutter around at dusk. In many camp situations, the mere presence or sighting of bats is common and normal. Sometimes, bats may be infected with rabies and may pose a risk for exposure to humans. Remind children to never touch a bat. If you are bitten by a bat, wash the affected area thoroughly and get medical advice immediately. Whenever possible, the bat should be captured and sent to a laboratory for rabies testing. Follow instructions for capturing bats and reducing exposure while outdoors.
Enjoy the great outdoors. Have a safe and healthy spring and summer!
Publish Site: www.cdc.gov/Features/MovingOutdoors/
Cartoonists Demand Action
Some of the nation’s best loved cartoonists are calling on Congress to not back down and take action to enact common sense gun laws that will prevent violence and save lives.
Share Their Message With Your Friends and Family:
