It's not a pleasant thought, but have you ever considered what you would do if the wires in your home started smoking? What about if a stray dog was wandering down your street? They aren't commonplace scenarios, but it's helpful to have an idea of how to handle them should the situation arise.
WHAT IF...
...the wires in your home start smoking?
Call 911! You'll want the fire department on site in case the situation escalates. Do not touch the wall or outlet from which you see smoke or sparks, and have everyone in the home evacuate. Once the situation is handled, be sure to schedule an appointment for a certified electrician to inspect all wiring and appliances to avoid any future emergencies.
...you see a suspicious person in your neighborhood?
It can be tough to know when to report unusual activity in your community, but if something feels "uncomfortable or out of place," it's appropriate to take action. The
National Sheriff's Association
defines suspicious activity in these terms and as reason to call police.
There are four general categories to consider when determining what to report:
- Suspicious activities, such as a stranger loitering around homes or parks
- People and vehicles, for example a car cruising the street repeatedly
- Illegal activities, like the sound of gunshots or fighting
- Unusual events or incidents and dangerous situations, including several cars coming and going from a house or strange odors coming from a car or home
...a stray dog is wandering down your street?
Call your city's non-emergency police department line. In many communities, police officers will be dispatched to pick up the animal and transport it to the city's temporary animal shelter. They will handle identification efforts from there. If you are able and feel comfortable
confining the dog to a safe area
, this can help ensure the animal is safely and quickly brought in. However, if the animal is acting erratically, do not approach it.
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Protect Your Home During the Holiday Season
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The holiday season is dubbed the most wonderful time of the year, but unfortunately that rings true for burglars too. As homes brim over with cheer and gifts, burglars welcome the opportunity to break in and take new electronics, gift cards and other valuables. To enjoy the holidays without incident, follow these strategies.
- Lock your doors every time you leave the house and before you go to bed.
- Don't display holiday decorations and gifts so they're easily visible from the street.
- If you're traveling, ask a neighbor to pick up newspapers and mail.
- Set outdoor lights to a timer - potential burglars look for clues that someone isn't home, such as lights burning 24 hours a day.
- When the holidays are over, don't pile up empty gift boxes on the curb. Burglars appreciate knowing you have expensive gifts like a new computer, TV or video game console. Break down boxes or cut them up to better conceal items.
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Bobwhite Quail are a small ground-nesting bird that is a popular game bird throughout the U.S. They are well-known for their distinct “bob-bob-white” whistle in the spring and summer months. Starting in mid-summer, these birds form small groups known as “coveys” comprising of 8 to 24 birds that stick together until the spring time. When night falls, these coveys form a tight circle, pointing their heads outward. Doing so allows them to conserve body heat and keep an eye out for any possible predators. These birds do not migrate, spending most of their lives within a 300-acre area, which makes them a great species to manage in small areas.
Although Bobwhite Quail have always been native to Iowa, their population exploded in the late 1800s as Iowa farmers began converting prairie and timber areas to farmland one quarter mile at a time. Hedges of Osage Orange were planted in place of fences, and weedy fields of cereal grains broke up the prairie landscape. This combination of prairie, shrubs, small grains, and weedy cover created the perfect environment for the Bobwhite Quail; however, as farming practices became more advanced and hedges were replaced with barbed wire fences, Bobwhites began to decline.
In 2011, Bobwhite Quail numbers in Iowa reached an all-time low; however, recent improvements in the Farm Bill allowed the USDA to implement new conservation practices in Iowa that focused on creating Bobwhite Quail habitat. These programs, combined with cooperation from Iowa landowners and mild winters, have allowed Iowa’s native quail population to recover. As of last year, Bobwhite Quail populations were the highest they had been in 27 years. Although their population is not as great as it was in the late 1800s, it is likely that the Bobwhite Quail population is higher today in Iowa than it was before mankind settled the state. It is likely that Bobwhites will always be found in Iowa; however, their population largely relies on Iowa landowners and whether or not they choose to include Bobwhite Quail habitat in their management decisions.
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Vino209 Wine Cafe
in Valley Junction is making a holiday offer to brighten your Mondays through the end of the year. The offer, exclusively for Hubbell Community homeowners, is a free glass of wine with qualifying purchase.
Click here
for more offer details.
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Don't miss out on this incredible deal from
Woodland Hills Golf Course
. When you buy a 2018 Season Pass, you will receive a 2019 Season Pass at no additional cost! This 18-hole regulation course is perfect for golfers of all skill levels. To learn more, contact Ken Norland at 515-289-1326 or 515-263-1600.
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Don't forget to take advantage of the Homeowner Rewards offerings, and keep checking online for our latest deals!
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This email is the latest in our monthly series intended to keep you up to date on Hubbell Community Management happenings.
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