Risks of Self Managing the HOA

Risks Worth Considering for Self-Managing the HOA

On the surface, managing the homeowners association may seem simple and straightforward. Many HOA boards think they have it all together and can easily manage the HOA on their own. After all, can’t their community be self-managed? Is it required to hire an HOA management company? The answer isn’t that simple and there are factors that need to be considered before going down the road of self-managing the HOA. Unfortunately, there are several significant risks HOA boards take on when they choose to be self-managed. Knowing those risks is important for making a wise decision about your HOA management needs. Some of these risks are minor, but some can cause tremendous financial and legal problems.

Six risks the HOA can avoid when hiring a homeowners association management company:

Risk #1 – Incompliance with the Law

Many self-managed HOAs are breaking the law – or at least not staying compliant – and don’t even know it. For example, conducting a reserve study and annual reserve update, practicing accurate and ethical accounting methods, submitting annual disclosures, and staying up to date with changes made to state HOA laws is a legal requirement of the HOA. Self-managed HOA’s can very easily break the law, completely on accident, simply because no one on the HOA Board knows how to interpret what the laws actually say – or know they even exist!

Risk #2 – Open to a Lawsuit

If your HOA doesn’t have proper insurance coverage, it leaves itself open to potential lawsuits. Do you know how much Director and Officers Liability coverage is needed? Are you familiar with Non-Monetary Claims (2nd most common lawsuit against HOA’s)? It’s also possible that your association has these insurance coverages, but may be under-insured. If your HOA is self-managed, you may not know what coverages you need or who is a reputable insurance agent that can help you. A good homeowners association management company will make sure your HOA does everything it needs to put in place the right kinds of insurance to defray any potential legal action.

Risk #3 – Inefficiency of Operations

There’s a lot of work that goes into managing an HOA community. Between coordinating meetings, preparing HOA board packets, collecting dues and fees, dealing member requests and complaints, negotiating with vendors, maintaining finances…phew! Do you have the time or enough volunteers? Keep in mind – although volunteers have good intentions and can do a lot of great work when placed in the best suited positions (read 5 Personality Types for the HOA Board), they can not match the efficiency and resources of a community manager. A professional community manager makes the success of your HOA operations their full-time pursuit.

Risk #4 – No Accountability or Transparency

When your homeowners association is self-managed, it can be hard to maintain accountability for the HOA Board members. There’s no accountability involved which makes it difficult for community members to stand up the HOA Board. This leaves no room for transparency on either side. Once in a while, there’s often the “my way or the high way” mentality from a heavy-handed Board member that wants to strong arm their way into power and influence. In some cases, this can even result in ethical breaches. A professional HOA management company can offer protection against this.

#4 leads into #5…who’s the advocate for the HOA members (residents)?

Risk #5 – No Advocate for Residents

Sometimes, when conflicts arise between two homeowners, or between a resident and the HOA Board, it’s helpful to have an unbiased mediator jump in. Not everyone is an expert at conflict resolution. An HOA management company provides that mediator – but when you’re self-managed, you risk conflicts with no clear resolutions that satisfy both parties. When members of the homeowners association feel they are being wrongly treated – such as being slapped with an HOA violation when the homeowner didn’t know the rule existed in the first place – there is no one to advocate for them and act as a neutral contact to remedy the situation.

Risk #6 – One Point of Contact

Do you, as an HOA board member, want people calling you at all hours? Probably not. While you could designate a member of the Board as a primary point of contact, as trustworthy as they may put the association at risk by prioritizing tasks and communications by their preference, knowing too much, and again – no accountability if, let’s say, they miss calls due to an overseas vacation. When you hire an HOA manager you have someone from the outside looking in who doesn’t have a personal agenda, and has the time, and accountable measures in place, to address all inquiries.

There are a few other factors involved when it comes to whether or not a homeowners association can successfully be self-managed – such as how involved the board members are, and the size of the community (number of residents) – but ultimately the HOA puts itself at risk when it tries to manage all the complexities of an community (or HOA) association. Our advice – don’t leave yourself open to lawsuits and conflict with members.

by /Beginners Guide for Rookie Board Members, HOA Accounting, HOA Directory and Officer Liability
How to Hold an Effective HOA Board Election

How to Hold an Effective HOA Board Election

In any homeowners association, HOA Board elections can potentially become contentious, time consuming and complicated if not started off on the right foot.

Holding an effective and fair HOA Board election is an annual event that helps decide who gets the responsibility for managing an HOA’s major financial matters and property maintenance issues. It is imperative to make sure the process is efficient in choosing the most qualified association members to hold such important positions. The manner in which elections are run will make all the difference in creating a strong and thriving community.

Follow these 5 steps to ensure an fair and effective HOA board election:

 

    1. Check your state quorum. Review all board member election guidelines in your state ahead of time, especially the number of people required to be present for an election to proceed. This will prevent from holding an election just to find you didn’t meet the requirements for number of attendees.
    2. One of the best ways to keep your election process on the straight and narrow – and you from running for cover – is to review your HOA’s governing documents, well in advance of the election. Check out the provisions set for running elections and setting up meetings.
    3. Review governing documents for member qualifications. See if there are specific candidate HOA Board qualifications a member must have to run for a position (read “Who Can Serve on the HOA Board”). At the very least, you’ll want to make sure candidates are in good standing as both a member and homeowner, since that will reflect on their ability to serve the community’s best interest.
    4. You will not have a successful HOA Board election, or get the elected board members off to a good start, without everyone understanding exactly how the process works —including details such as number of votes needed to win an election. Send out proxy forms prior to the meeting that include information on the candidates, the election process, as well as voting guidelines.
    5. Correct and timely reporting of election results is crucial.  To keep the election results confidential, use a secret ballot. Open and count the votes during an official open meeting to ensure the process is honest and maintains voter confidentiality (super important!). Report the results of the election right away to attendees and board members. Lastly, make the election results public and accessible to community members within 15 days after the election occurs.

In conclusion…

 

A little extra time spent individually (and as an HOA board) reviewing the rules, will make for the least stressful election, and one you can be proud of! If you are still not feeling confident about holding the elections, it may be time to contact your PDS Community Manager.

 

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by /Beginners Guide for Rookie Board Members, HOA Board Meetings, HOA Directory and Officer Liability
5 Personality types for the HOA Board

5 Effective Personality Types for the HOA Board

There are many types of personalities that can hurt your Homeowners Association Board. But, it doesn’t take much to turn this around, as the same personalities could be your best allies. How do you make the turn, you ask? Evaluate each of your HOA board member personalities – yourself included – following our 5 Effective HOA Board Personality Types. Start aligning roles and tasks based on their individual skill sets!

Here are the 5 personality “types” that any HOA Board or Community Association should recruit, in order to best serve their community by capitalizing on their talent and skills:

  1. Multi-tasker – This individual is always balancing and spinning many plates. They often get a lot done, but they also can miss communicated details as they are constantly executing and planning tasks. The Multi-tasker, in their drive to accomplish many things, should get comfortable at asking for help. They need the humility to admit that they don’t always have the answers or the time, and turn to an expert for advice when necessary. Or, appropriately delegate tasks when there is a time crunch looming. When things get too busy, he/she may have to relinquish control over projects, trusting that others can carry them through to completion. Hard to to for some of these personality types. You may need to keep this person on track and “check-in” as the Multi-tasker may need to be reminded of this. Some coaching and mentoring might be helpful with your Multi-tasker.
  2. The Conductor – Like any good maestro, this person makes your meetings easy by his/her attention to detail and leadership intuition. He/she always has an agenda, summarizes discussions, and can effectively manage the revolutionaries (see #5 below) by their level of organization on topics and adherence to the agendas. The “Conductor” understands the CC&R’s and meeting laws in and out (all board members should, but he/she has an attention to detail that is superior). They enjoy being productive – hold onto this board member! If you see signs volunteer burn-out, nip that in the bud. Review our Volunteer Burn Out Blogs to prevent this.
  3. Socialite – This person can be an excellent asset because he or she establishes relationships and connections very easily . A socializer knows community members and issues well, and is great at collaboration, as it fulfills the need to stay “social” and engaged with other people. Ask for their input! They may have the best pulse on community issues. This personality type is best suited as a community advocate and influencer.
  4. The Networker and Tech Guru – This personality type usually is found in marketing, IT, or advocacy positions. This person is always thinking about how to spread the word on a mass level, probably attached to the phone tweeting or posting updates during meetings – not a great idea since most topics require discussion before communication. But, Social media is a great way to reach many of the owners, you just need to maintain control and have clear guidelines for the board. Use this person’s talents by asking them to tweet and post the outcome of the meeting, run a community website, prepare email blasts. Read our Social Media in the HOA Blog series, and make sure your “Networker” studies this is as well. Sooner, the better! When anyone is posting on behalf of the board, you need to be very careful what platforms you are using, and how you are utilizing them.
  5. The Revolutionary – He/she is a big thinker and likes to challenge the norm. This individual routinely changes the topic, as changing the topic can uncover new thinking and ideas. But, be careful it doesn’t derail your meeting agenda (Here steps in the “Conductor”). Balance the pros and cons of your Revolutionary, by capturing and making note of topics they raise for later discussion, and then return to the agenda. Ask for the “Socialite’s” input on his/her ideas. They may have a general consensus on the communities positions on such topics. The Revolutionary may be adding valuable initiatives to your next meeting agenda.

Does your HOA Board have some of these personality types? Are they in the best role for their personality type? When you start putting their talents to use, you’ll be amazed at the increased effectiveness in your HOA meetings. If you are lacking some of these personality types, it may be time to start recruiting for the HOA Board.

by /Beginners Guide for Rookie Board Members, HOA Board Meetings, Rights and Responsibilities
4 Useful HOA Board Recruitment Strategies

4 Useful HOA Board Recruitment Strategies

Finding the time to volunteer for anything these days is challenging with our busy schedules. Additionally, finding people willing to volunteer is sometimes even more challenging, especially when it comes to the HOA board. For community associations, member involvement is crucial to providing responsible and successful management of the HOA. We’ve provided some tips on how to recruit potential HOA board members in a positive and encouraging way:

Educate & Advocate

To recruit new members, the board should consider sharing success stories and highlighting accomplishments. In today’s complex and busy world, most residents in the community are working hard to make ends meet and to balance family obligations day in, and day out. “Out-of-site, out-of-mind” is very common regarding the HOA board activities. The HOA board could advocate the need for community involvement, by sharing the successes and outcomes of initatives. Social Media, newsletters, and community email blasts are great ways to call attention to the importance of HOA boards and the need for strong, contributing board members. Download our presentations “3 Powerful HOA Leadership Lessons” as a tool to help educate your board. Be sure to visit our Social Media in the HOA blog series on how to carefully use social media if you are an active board member. Understand the difference between social platforms and how to properly use them in a productive way for the HOA board.

Short-Term Board Appointments

Short-term appointments are a good way for a potential HOA board member to test out the waters. When a board member steps down due to a move or other extenuating circumstance, most HOA boards can appoint a replacement to complete the term (check your CC&R’s and bylaws to be sure this is allowed). Approach a homeowner that would make a great addition to the board. The invitation to serve and yet not commit to a long-term could benefit the board and the homeowner in assuring both is a great fit. If all goes well, the short term appointment may result in a new, long-term HOA board member.

Recruit Members With Relevant Skills & Experience

What is the boards current, most crucial need? Identify the needs in respect to issues such as, for example, finance or community relations. Seek out community members who may have knowledge and experience in those fields. Try a one-on-one approach by inviting them to coffee. Never utilize an ambush approach like stopping them in their driveway, or knocking on the door unexpectedly. Send an email or facebook message in a relaxed manner, simply asking questions about the related topic and if he/she would be willing to share some knowledge with you. If you can get some one-on-one time, then share what you have enjoyed during your term and describe how their expertise could be helpful to the betterment of the HOA. Be enthusiastic, without being aggressive.

Encourage The Disgruntled to Serve

Yes, you read that correctly. An complainer may be your best source for an active board member. If a community member frequently complains about board decisions or community issues, they may have the passion needed to be an effective board member. If they know enough to complain, then they are paying attention to the board’s actions and decisions. What are they complaining about? If these issues are legitimate and well considered, this demonstrates a level of care and concern about the community. Incessant whining about petty issues, such as trash day being Monday and not Friday, is an good indicator that he/she may cause more stress to a board, than productive assistance.

by /Building Community, HOA Board Meetings
Who Can Serve on the HOA Board

Who Can Serve on the HOA Board?

Who Can Serve on the HOA Board?

 

Raise your hand if you want to serve on the HOA Board! Don’t all jump up at once…

Finding volunteers to serve on your HOA board is not always an easy task. Even if you struggle to get enough homeowners to agree to serve, your governing documents and Arizona state law likely require you to be choosy about whom you allow to sit on your community association board.

 

So which homeowners in the association can, and can not, serve on the HOA Board in Arizona?

 

  1. In some states, such as Florida, spouses are prohibited from serving on their community’s association board  concurrently. However, it is a legal practice in Arizona. Spouses may serve on the HOA Board at the same time – unless the documents, Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws or CC & R’s state otherwise. However, only one spouse or one owner of a property may vote in an annual election, special election or special meeting.
  2. Are you current on your dues? Most HOA documents state that an owner must be in good standing i.e. no delinquent dues, fines or fees before a vote is accepted to join the Board. Conversely, if a current member is in arrears, many association documents give the board member stipulations and time limits to become current or clear up the issue, or board service could be suspended. These are individual to each HOA, so check your Bylaws!
  3. Out of state, out of mind? Not in Arizona. Arizona HOA law does not require a board member to live in the community. Here again, each community’s documents are different. The Board may find the verbiage in their Bylaws or in the Articles of Incorporation.
  4. Another question that we occasionally hear is whether homeowners with past convictions can serve on the HOA board. Many homeowners associations in Arizona do not have governing documents that fully speak to this matter. We suggest implementing a Board Member Code of Conduct. You may download our HOA Board Sample Code of Conduct here.

Now you know the rules on who can serve, read “How to Hold an Effective HOA Board Election” to ensure your sanity when it comes to election time!

by /Beginners Guide for Rookie Board Members, HOA Board Meetings, HOA Directory and Officer Liability, HOA Law
How the HOA Can Seek Legal Advice

3 Ways to Seek Legal Advice for the HOA

With all the nuances and potential complications of governing a homeowners association, it’s no surprise that boards may need to seek legal advice on occasion.

How should the HOA Board seek legal advice for your homeowners association?

 

Your HOA management company can be a great place to start. With ample resources and experience in the industry, here at Planned Development Services we will not offer legal advice, but can often point you in the right direction.

You should also consult your association’s governing documents. According to Beth Mulcahy, Esq., of Mulcahy Law Firm, P.C. – and a 16-year veteran of the community association industry – if there isn’t a specific protocol in the association’s governing documents, you have the following options:

 

  1. The board can authorize a specific officer – such as the HOA Board President – even a committee or employee (e.g. manager), to seek legal advice on behalf of the association at their discretion. It should be noted that if the HOA Board authorizes a specific officer, committee, or employee to seek legal advice, at their discretion, such authorization should be included in the association’s records, minutes, or board resolution. There should also be agreed-upon limitations, such as financial limits. If the board authorized only certain board members as the point of contact for legal issues, direction should be provided to the association’s attorney.
  2. The entire HOA Board can vote whether to seek legal advice in any given circumstance.
  3. A board member, ideally the HOA Board President, can likely go outside of an agreed-upon protocol or board vote in emergency circumstances, such as when immediate legal advice is needed. However, the board should also consider ratifying this potential authorization in meeting minutes.

 

Regardless of the method your HOA Board uses to seek legal advice, members should remember that it is being sought on behalf of the association – not on behalf of any individual board member or owner.  If you have any more questions before you seek a lawyer, feel free to contact your community manager to discuss the situation and we will point you in the right direction.

Thank you to Mulcahy Law Firm for contributing to this article.

by /HOA Directory and Officer Liability, HOA Law, Rights and Responsibilities
Temporary Residents or Snowbirds in the HOA

Questions about Snowbird Rules in the HOA, Answered

Arizona is known for being a warm getaway for snowbirds that want to escape the freezing temperatures that much of the United States experiences in winter. “New” neighbors are moving back into their community associations every day since fall has commenced.

As a result, it’s not uncommon for residents in Arizona HOA communities to have a parent or family member living with them for part of the year. Or, for snowbirds to also have visitors during their stay in Arizona.

As an HOA management company that partners with community associations and their HOA boards in the Phoenix, Arizona Valley, these common question arises this time of year for all of our HOA Boards.

 

What is a visitor vs. a part-time resident? Why does the HOA have rules pertaining to visitors or part-time residents? 

 

Since Arizona attracts so many snowbirds, many Arizona HOA communities include a set of rules in their bylaws for part-time residents. First, check the CC&R’s to see what constitutes a visitor versus a part-time resident. Many associations have this outlined by, for example, how many days constitute residency for your visitors.

Why would an Arizona HOA community have rules in place that govern part-time residents? Any rules regarding visitors and part-time residents are put in place to keep the community safe and make it an enjoyable place for all residents to live. Generally speaking, the term “guest” or “visitor” refers to someone that stays in the community for a relatively short period of time with the property owner present. Typically, when the property owner is on site, there will be fewer issues with the guest.

 

Do I have to notify my HOA if a snowbird parent or family member lives with me during winter? 

 

Most issues that come up with part-time residents are related to the rules and regulations of the HOA community. For example, if a snowbird guest or a snowbird family member moves in for any period of time in the property owner’s absence, issues within the HOA community can arise such as the part-time resident may not understand the rules surrounding trash day, noise levels, or parking.  We suggest, as a best practice, reach out to your HOA Board to notify them of any part-time snowbird visitor or part time resident (as it would be defined). They can help remind you of the rules visitors or part-time residents need to follow during their stay in your home.

If your HOA doesn’t currently have enforceable parameters in place that address part-time residents and guests, it’s in the community’s best interest to speak with an Arizona HOA management company about establishing governing documents around this topic, or insert into your CC&R’s. By clearly defining the rules surrounding visitors and part-time residents for your HOA community, you’ll minimize potential conflict for everyone.

by /HOA for the Holidays, Rights and Responsibilities, Uncategorized
Social Media in the HOA

Are HOA’s Liable for Online Comments? The Answer May Surprise You.

Before you jump right in, please reference our Social Media in the HOA, Part 1, which is a quick lesson on different platforms HOA’s are typically using as online forums!

Are HOA’s liable for what’s posted in online community forums? Well, it depends. We have outlined 3 quick tips on protecting yourself, and your HOA from liability. * Disclaimer; PDS is an Arizona HOA Management Company. This is not to be considered as professional legal advice. If you have specific questions on HOA law, contact your HOA lawyer or ask your HOA Management company for an HOA legal referral.
1. Understand the general rule of liability for defamation; Liability for defamation occurs when a person/party communicates to 3rd party a false and defamatory statement while knowing the statement is untrue. Digital Media Law Project defines  of defamation case in Arizona here.  Facebook could be the third party in a defamation case. If an HOA board member makes a false statement on a Facebook© page, the HOA could be liable. If a homeowner makes a defamatory comment on Facebook©, the resident may be liable.

2. Stay unified, even during contentious times; HOA Boards have to make tough decisions, and sometimes it is not a unanimous resolution. As tensions within the HOA board arise, remember that the board has a legal relationship with the community association. There are 3 components to the Arizona nonprofit corporation act (A.R.S. 10-3830) which are: acting in good faith, a duty of care, and a duty of loyalty. This means that individual HOA Board members, even when they disagree with the board, must refrain from taking action that could be to the detriment of the community association. Plainly stated, it’s not in the best interest of the association to post comments online that undermine board decisions.

3. Establish guidelines for the HOA Board for posting online; Board members (who are also homeowners) should participate in social media. You need to stay informed about events and issues happening in the community association. If you are tempted to initiate or comment, consider the liability as mentioned above. The board could institute a ban on HOA board members posting on behalf of the association, unless otherwise authorized by the board. If a ban can not be agreed upon during a meeting, at the very least, outline how comments can be professional, don’t violate HOA board confidence, and remain completely unoffensive to any party.

 

Again, seek out an HOA lawyer for specific information about HOA liability for online communication. We hope this article started a conversation in your board, in case you haven’t yet addressed social media etiquette!

by /Beginners Guide for Rookie Board Members, HOA Directory and Officer Liability, HOA Law
Arizona Monsoon Safety Guide

Arizona’s Monsoon Season: Preparing and Staying Safe

Arizona monsoons, part of a larger North American monsoon system, are caused by extreme summer temperatures which cause low pressure zones across the Southwest. Those zones draw moist ocean air up from the Gulf of Mexico and California which create the monsoon storms.

Starting around July 15th and ending September 30th, the storms build each day as the atmosphere heats up, eventually forming strong thunderstorms in the later afternoon and evening. The storms usually dissipate overnight, only to begin the cycle again the following day.

When wind from these storms comes in straight lines through the desert it sometimes kicks up significant amounts of dust, bringing on the notorious haboobs – large walls of dust that blow in before the rain.

Though many monsoon storms are relatively mild and pass quickly, some pose serious risks to property and personal safety, especially for those caught on the road. Dust and heavy rain create low visibility and flooding of low-lying areas. Combine that with lighting, wind-blown debris, and occasionally even hail and you get a seriously dangerous storm.

Plan Ahead to Stay Safe from Arizona Monsoons

Of course, the best way to avoid the dangers of Arizona monsoon storms is by staying out of their way to begin with. During the summer months, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the weather, especially if you plan to travel in the afternoon or evening. There are plenty of options to stay informed:

● Check your phone’s weather app, or weather sites like ASU’s monsoon page
● Watch TV weather forecasts or listen to radio weather reports
● Turn on a NOAA weather radio
● Subscribe to severe weather notification services (many phones offer this feature)
● Finally, check the actual sky, looking 360 degrees around and overhead before heading out

 

When driving if you find yourself caught in a dust storm, immediately pull off the road as far as you can, turn your car off, and take your foot off the brake pedal so your lights don’t draw in other drivers. Do not enter flooded areas, no matter how low the water may look (appearances are often deceiving).

Homeowners who live in flood-prone areas should make appropriate preparations to secure their property and drain off excess water. It’s also a good idea to have a disaster supply kit on hand.

What is in a 72 Hour Disaster Supply Kit?

Given the regularity of monsoon and other severe weather events, it’s smart to prepare a household disaster supply kit in the event that power is lost or local services are rendered inaccessible. An effective kit should contain essentials like food, water, and sturdy clothing, to sustain a family for up to 72 hours (3 days) since electric, gas, and water services may be disabled or interrupted. Items to include:

● 3 gallons of water in clean, well-sealed containers per person and pet
● First aid kit
● Supply of food that can be eaten without cooking and stored without refrigeration
● Portable battery-operated flashlights, radio, and extra batteries (test regularly)
● Candles and oil lamps may be used as backups, but they pose fire risks
● Medically necessary medications
● Generator for life support or medical equipment that requires electricity to function

 

Monsoon storms are a fact of life in Arizona, so it’s important for HOA staff to help make sure new residents understand the risks. Of course, many long-time residents know that once you’re aware and prepared you can start to appreciate the thrilling majesty of this rare phenomenon. Just ask the growing number of photographers and storm-chasers who attend Monsoon Con every year.

by /Building Community
Arizona Fireworks Safety Quick Guide

Legal Fireworks in Arizona: A Quick Guide

Hide your dogs (and have a safety talk with your kids) the summer fireworks season is here. From May 20 to July 6 fireworks may be purchased legally in Arizona. In the winter, you can buy fireworks from Dec. 10 to Jan. 3. They can be set off from June 24 to July 6 in summer and in the winter from Dec. 24 to Jan. 3.

Of course, not all fireworks are legal, and even the legal types pose real risks of fire, burns, and other injuries. Here’s a rundown of the legal guidelines and safety tips for fireworks festivities in Arizona:

Several kinds of fireworks are legal to use in Arizona, including cone and cylindrical fountains, wheels, ground spinners, illuminating torches, ground sparkling devices and handheld sparklers.

Fountain-style fireworks sit on the ground and shoot sprays of colored sparks into the air directly above them. Torches and ground sparklers typically spout colored flames or sparks, similar to the fountains but on a smaller scale. Ground spinners whirl and scream – keep an eye on those and give them plenty of space before igniting.

Handheld sparklers, the thin silver sticks that emit bright sparks as they burn down from the end, are a staple firework. Don’t let that fool you though, sparklers do pose serious burn risks, especially for children, as the heated end can reach 1,800+ degrees. Children often burn their feet when they drop sparklers because they feel too hot (or scary) to hold. Closed toed shoes, pants, and close supervision will help prevent injury.

In Arizona, the general rule of thumb is that ground-based fireworks are permitted, while fireworks that detonate in the air are not. The Phoenix Fire Department has detailed fireworks information up on their site. Restricted fireworks include bottle rockets, Roman candles, sky rockets, firecrackers, single-tube devices with reports, re-loadable shell devices, and other aerials.

Bottle rockets and sky rockets are generally smaller aerials, usually attached to a stick that goes into the ground to point them into the air for launch. Roman candles are packaged in a long, handheld tube that fires a number of explosive colored projectiles from the end. The other types generally use re-loadable tubes to launch exploding shells into the air (the smaller scale version of what’s generally used for official fireworks shows).

Firecrackers are one exception to the “ground-based is ok” rule of thumb. Firecrackers usually look like the fireworks in old cartoons – small red cylinders, often linked together with a long fuse that burns through and explodes a larger series. They make a lot of noise, but they also cause quite a few burns and injuries every year (thus their outlaw status).

Top 10 Things You Really Shouldn’t Do With Fireworks:

  • Don’t let kids play with fireworks. Firecrackers, rockets, Roman candles, and even sparklers are very dangerous. If you let children hold sparklers, keep them outside and held away from their faces, clothing, hair and other kids.
  • Buy only legal fireworks – typically, if it’s being sold in a package or kit inside a grocery store it’s legal. Also, legal fireworks should have a label with the manufacturer’s name and directions. Illegal ones are often unlabeled. Store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
  • Don’t try to make your own fireworks, or use store-bought fireworks in ways other than directed.
  • Don’t use fireworks inside. Keep a bucket of water and a hose nearby in case of mishaps.
  • Treat fireworks like weapons – don’t throw or point fireworks at someone, even as a quick joke. Keep a clear perimeter around the area fireworks are being used, and keep children out. Fireworks sometimes backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction.
  • When lighting fireworks, don’t hold them in your hand or have any part of your body above them. Ideally, wear some kind of eye protection, and carry them in a box or container, not in your pocket.
  • Don’t try to relight duds, and only light one firework at a time. Don’t light them inside of containers.
  • Be aware of fire risks. Bushes, leaves, dry grass and other flammable substances (like your home) may be ignited by hot fireworks, even after they’ve been spent. Light fireworks on cement or rocks or another safe area.
  • Leave the cleanup to the grownups and take care; some spent fireworks may still be ignited and can explode at any time.
  • It’s best to drop fireworks in a bucket of water before throwing them in the trash.
  • Consider the happiness of your pets. Dogs and cats have sensitive ears and are often frightened or stressed by Fourth of July festivities. Keep your pets indoors to reduce the risk of injury or runaways.
by /Building Community, Common and Exclusive Areas, HOA for the Holidays, HOA Neighborhood Watch Group