Find Blog Articles for Florida’s Condo, HOA and the Management Industry.
Below are images of the order. Please click on either image to download the Order
Tags: Condo and HOA, Law and Legal, Management News
We use this information and share to keep our industry professionals up to date with sfpma news and members, using social media, our blog and Direct Emails to clients. We want you to be seen by clients all over Florida.
How do you use marketing for your business?
First you have to think about who your audience is along with what you are posting to that targeted audience? – Then think about your effectiveness and reaching clients with your own company marketing efforts. Ask yourself have those goals been met? – When we share about your company, We target the people that are making the decisions.
Our Marketing Team at SFPMA are always available to help your company with a marketing plan. Let us know what sales you may be running for that month, we can help by informing the industry. Let SFPMA spread this through our network of Board Members, Property Managers and Industry Professionals.
Many of our members know if we don’t get an Article, or see Company News in our in box, We go to their Websites and look at posts on Social Media. It is important to us to Share about our Members.
By keeping clients informed of what your company is doing you are on their mind. They will learn more about you, helping them make an informed decision when hiring!
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Tags: Events Meetings and Courses, Management News
Many owners in HOA’s all over the country are looking closer at how their homeowners associations are being Governed. Inspection of the Accounting for years was based on trust, not any more! Many Owners want to make sure the fees they pay are being used for the benefit of their hoa. SFPMA has been getting many emails stating misuse accusations, document inspections, higher fees imposed by boards and collections for owners that are not paying. Many dont know what to do or dont care? We say you should!
1. Learn the HOA’s rules.
You may be able to find an HOA’s CC&Rs online as well as information about what happens if you violate a rule. Make sure any online information is current. If you cannot find this information online, ask your real estate agent to acquire these documents for you or contact the HOA yourself.
Pay particular attention to rules regarding fines and whether the HOA can foreclose on your property for nonpayment of HOA dues or fines resulting from CC&R violations. Also, learn about the process for changing or adding rules, and whether HOA meetings are held at a time you will be able to attend if you wish to do so. If the rules are too restrictive, consider buying elsewhere.
(EVERY HOA SHOULD HAVE A WEBSITE: EVERY OWNER CAN SIGN IN TO AND FIND THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION, MEETINGS, ELECTIONS, BOARD MEMBER REPORTS and NOTIFICATIONS AND NEWS)
2. Make sure the home you want to buy is not already out of compliance with HOA rules.
Buying into an existing problem can be a headache, so find out what the rules are and whether you would have to make changes to the home to comply.
(IF A PAST OWNER HAD FEES THEY OWED THE HOA, NEW OWNERS COULD BE ON THE HOOK TO PAY THESE TO THE HOA, ASK YOUR ATTNYS AND AGENTS)
3. Assess environmental practices.
If environmentally friendly living is important to you, be aware that some HOAs may dictate that you use fertilizers, pesticides, sprinkler systems and whatever else it takes to keep your lawn picture-perfect. They may not allow xeriscaping (an environmentally friendly form of landscaping) and may limit the size of gardens, ban compost piles and prevent you from installing solar panels. So make sure you check the fine print first.
4. Consider your temperament.
Are you the type of person who hates being told what to do? If so, living in a community with an HOA may be a very frustrating experience for you. One of the major benefits of home ownership is the ability to customize and alter the property to suit your needs, but HOA rules can really interfere with this.
5. Find out about fees.
Fees will differ for each community. Because of this, you should make sure to ask your HOA the following questions:
Compare dues for the complex or neighborhood you are considering to the average dues in the area. Keep in mind that you will have to pay for recreational facilities whether you use them or not. Find out the hours for amenities like pools and tennis courts. Will you be around during those hours, or will you be paying for facilities you’ll never be able to use? Be aware that the HOA may have rules about how many guests can use common facilities. If guest restrictions are severe, forget about that housewarming pool party you envisioned.
(LEARN ABOUT YOUR HOA OR CONDO BEFORE YOU BUY. LEARN WHAT QUESTIONS TO ASK BOARDS AND MANAGEMENT COMPANIES BEFORE YOU BUY!)
6. Try to get a copy of minutes from the last meeting or sit in on an HOA meeting before you buy.
The meeting minutes can be very telling about the policies of the HOA. Some questions to ask are:
Be alert for potential drama. Power trips and petty politics can be an issue in some HOAs. Talk to some of the building’s current owners, if possible – preferably ones who are not on the HOA board and who have lived in the building for several years. Talk to the HOA president and get a sense for whether you want this person making decisions about what you can do with your property. If a private company manages the HOA, investigate it before you buy. Some HOAs are professionally managed, but it is common for associations to be managed by building residents who hold their positions as volunteers. Even if you like the current HOA board or management company, it can change after you move in and you may end up getting something totally different than what you expected.
7. Watch for under-management.
Not all HOAs are over-managed. The opposite problem may be an HOA where no one really cares and where no one is interested in maintaining the building, making repairs, hearing resident grievances or being on the board. Residents may simply take turns serving as HOA president or randomly appoint someone, so be prepared to serve in this role whether you want to or not if that is the case with your community’s HOA.
This would also be a good time to check into any restrictions preventing you from renting out your property or that make it difficult for you to do so. If your property is being under-managed you might not have an issue, but if you’ve got a hyperactive manager it could be a totally different story.
8. Find out what kind of catastrophe insurance the HOA has on the building.
This is particularly important if you’re considering a condo or townhouse purchase and you live in an area that is prone to floods, earthquakes, blizzards, fires, tornadoes, hurricanes or any other type of potential natural disaster – and that is virtually anywhere.
9. Consider the impact of HOA fees on your short- and long-term finances.
A condo with high HOA fees might end up costing you as much as the house you don’t think you can afford.
Homeowners’ associations can be your best friend when they prevent your neighbor from painting her house neon pink, but your worst enemy when they expect you to perform expensive maintenance on your home that you don’t think is necessary or impose rules that you find too restrictive. Before you purchase a property subject to HOA rules and fees, make sure you know exactly what you are getting into. Then, once you’ve found your dream community.
The only constant is change, and the board must plan for the HOA’s future. This involves determining long-range needs and establishing long-term goals, along with implementing a strategy to attain those goals. The board should set annual goals, as well as those for a longer time frame. Performance goals are also set by the board. SFPMA and our members can help with many of the maintenance requests for your properties.
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Tags: Condo and HOA, Condo and HOA Budgets, Condo and HOA Laws, Management News
SFPMA has a team of Legal Experts, adjusters, estimators and claim specialists for the benefit of the Condo and HOA’s who sustained damage from the storms and fire, water or mold.
With the know-how and experience to negotiate your claim our Entire Team works with One Goal:
PROPERTY DAMAGE
WHAT WE PROVIDE CONDO & HOA’S
A Claim usually includes inspections, detailed estimates, more inspections, client reviews, negotiating with insurance companies, consulting with insurance company and most importantly, getting you your money as fast as possible.
Tags: Condo and HOA Insurance, Management News
Board members are looking for classes! While many are home from the Covid-19 lockdown and some are scared to go out!
SFPMA needs to address to our members: We have held the Aug Edition for a few days before we publish the Magazine! We publish this on the end of the FIRST WEEK OF EACH MONTH! This was due to members that are either working from home? or communication with their Teams to get the updates to us in a timely fashion?
From this date on, any member that is late with sending New updates or Articles to us by the second week of each month so we can publish this and set these on our magazine pages will not have their Articles published in that month. We have Members who we are apologizing to, everyone has their own deadlines that are timed with their in house promotions some rely on their Articles being in the magazine and use this along with their promotions.
We are sorry, We are still waiting for one article and Full Page Ad- that was sent in error and we were asked to hold off as of Tuesday the 10th, this company has the new information and pages along with their AD they are sending to us on Friday! We will quickly upload and publish the magazine over this weekend. ~Florida Rising Magazine
screen capture searches this week sfpma
With close too> 800 Searches on our top pages the internet is bringing searchers and clients to the SFPMA Website weekly!. Many of these searches are for Board Member Certification Courses. SFPMA has dedicated and updated a new page where we have listed the Company Members that provide these to Board Members. Today I received a call from a client that was searching, I was informed there is so much great information on our website BUT….. She could not find the information for Board Courses? Well 2 days ago, I sat down with my IT Dept, We did see the Calendar, The List and where anyone can search for the information. but for any person that is looking ONLY for a list of Board Classes it could be confusing! ~Frank J Mari / Executive Director
We took the time to find on our members websites the Exact Pages and dedicate this information to a page on our website Exclusively for this! Making Searches Simple and Easy for anyone looking to be Board Certified to Find and Use the Many Members that Provide these Courses, either online or in a classroom and New Webinars and Video Certification
Take a look at the simplified Page: for Educational Courses Offered (on our website) – Then click the new page linked to Condo Board and HOA Board Member Courses! (here is the direct link)
If your Company website needs to be updated please take the time to update your Board Member Courses that correspond to the pages we are linking to! Thank You SFPMA
Stats for Aug 13, 2020 from SFPMA / WordPress
The Future of Construction Projects in the Era of COVID-19 Public · Hosted by Becker & Poliakoff Join Becker on August 12 at 12 P.M. EST for an in-depth discussion on how COVID-19 continues to disrupt the construction industry in Florida and how best to protect yourself, your workforce, and your project. Becker Construction attorneys will examine timely topics such as: Safety preparedness, workforce illnesses, privacy concerns, and mask mandates Delays, work suspensions, and contract termination How to address COVID-19 in future contracts Insurance considerations Dispute resolut
FIDUCIARY DUTY AND BUSINESS JUDGMENT AND FRAUD PREVENTION Date: Wednesday, August 12, 2020 Time: 1:00 pm Location: Online Event via, Zoom Learn about your Fiduciary Duty as a Board Member, Business Judgment and Directors and Officers insurance. Find out the most common reasons for Board Members getting sued, and learn how to discover and prevent fraud in your Association.
Webinar Panel: Association Operations During Covid-19 Date: Aug 13 2020 Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Register Here Castle Group and Kaye Bender Rembaum invite you to join our next episode of Association Operations During COVID-19, which will include a focus on opening community amenities and more. Panelists are Craig Vaughan, Castle Group, President and Jeffrey A. Rembaum and Lisa A. Magill, Kaye Bender Rembaum, P.L. – Board Certified Attorneys in Condominium and Planned Development Law. Andrea Northrop, VP of Insurance Office of America, will cover Covid-19 insurance trends.
Q & A SESSION FOR FIDUCIARY DUTY AND BUSINESS JUDGMENT AND FRAUD PREVENTION Date: Thursday, August 13, 2020 Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Location: Online Event via, Zoom You have questions, we have answers! Come join our Q & A Session to answer all your questions about Fiduciary Duties.
HOA/CONDO BOARD MEMBER CERTIFICATION ONLINE CLASS Provider #0000811 | Course #9630016 | 2 ELE Credits If you are planning to serve on your homeowner association board, you probably know that you will need to comply with Florida’s certification requirements within 90 days of being elected. Our HOA Board Certification class is designed to satisfy the statutory requirement so that you are eligible to serve. More importantly, it will provide the tools and information you need to perform your job well and to avoid any potential liability associated with your new role. Topics Covered: Defining your fiduciary duty Analyzing association operations How to properly maintain the association’s books and records The pros and cons of alternative dispute resolution Avoiding common election pitfalls Preparing budgets and funding reserves Understanding financial reporting requirements Assessing insurance needs for common areas Defusing conflict within the community
Condo Craze & HOAs HOSTED BY – ERIC M. GLAZER, ESQUIRE SUNDAYS AT 11:00 a.m. ON 850 WFTL Aug 16th @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm Condo Craze & HOAs HOSTED BY – ERIC M. GLAZER, ESQUIRE SUNDAYS AT 11:00 a.m. ON 850 WFTL The show is streamed live on the web at www.850wftl.com and on your mobile device. Presents a forum for Board members and owners to tell their side of the story. The show randomly has guest speakers who are experts on the daily problems associations encounter. All issues that our associations encounter each day are proper topics for discussion.
Condo Solutions Talk Radio with Peter Mollengarden, Esq. Date: Aug 17 2020 Time: 9:05 am – 10:00 am
As of June SFPMA has cancelled the contract with the Design Company due to contract issues: Late Editions, Design Issues and other. We wish them well on the other business they have ongoing.
What this means for THE FLORIDA RISING MAGAZINE is: My Team will again publish and design the magazine as we did since its beginning! We are updating all areas, and will have the new sections ready for Aug 2020- Thank You
We are here to help our Florida Companies that are having a harder time getting up and running, Contact Us we are happy to give you an Ad in the Magazine for a few months!
We send to over 214,000 Emails of Managers, Condo and HOA Owners and Board Members, Our Member Companies and many others who wish to have the magazine sent to them monthly.
We do have advertising and some of the best rates / our Goal is: Get you in front of the Decision makers, Let them learn how you can help them.
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Tags: Florida Rising Magazine, Management News, Members Articles
Below you will find face covering requirements for Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Manatee Counties. In addition, the cities of Hallandale and Aventura are disucussed.
Where appropriate, face covering requirements for those living in condominiums and homeowners’ associations are discussed as well.
A recall was issued for a certain manufacture of hand sanitizer products which is presented immediately below the face covering information.
Palm Beach County Order No. 2020-012 provides that effective June 25, 2020, facial coverings are required to be worn in public. Specifically, facial coverings are required to be worn in:
i) Businesses and establishments of any type, including, without limitation, restaurants, retail stores, grocery stores, gyms, indoor recreational facilities and vehicles for hire,
ii) Public places, including outdoor areas that are open and regularly accessible, and outdoor common areas within private communities, where social distancing is not possible or not being practiced,
iii) Palm Tran transit services, and
iv) County and municipal governmental facilities.
Facial coverings are defined under the Palm Beach County Order as any covering which snugly covers the nose and mouth, whether store bought or homemade, mask or clothing covering, including, but not limited to, a scarf, bandana, handkerchief, or other similar cloth covering and which is secured in place. The Order is clear that facial coverings are required to be worn in outdoor common areas within private communities accessible to more than one housing unit where social distancing cannot be accomplished or is not being practiced.
One must also wear a facial covering while working in or visiting businesses and establishments, including indoor recreational facilities.
Businesses and establishments are further required to ensure compliance with the Order and establish a process for verification of compliance upon customer entry into the establishment, and to conspicuously post a specific sign in three languages (CLICK HERE TO LINK-http://discover.pbcgov.org/pdf/covid19/Retail-Mask-Poster.pdf) indicating that persons must wear facial coverings and maintain social distancing.
The Order does not specifically identify indoor common elements or common areas of condominium and homeowners’ associations as businesses or establishments where facial coverings must be worn. However, due to the fact that any type of business or establishment must comply and indoor recreational facilities are specifically listed as establishments in the Order, we believe that the Order likely applies to indoor common element and common area facilities. Therefore, we recommend that you treat your indoor facilities as establishments under the Order until further orders or guidance is provided by the County. This means that associations should monitor and require compliance with facial covering requirements, particularly in indoor recreational facilities, and conspicuously post the designated sign required by the Order.
There are exceptions to the facial covering requirements for certain individuals and in certain situations where they are not feasible, including, but not limited to, by children under two (2), by persons who have medical conditions such as asthma or COPD, and while consuming food or beverages. However, the exceptions are limited and should be implemented in accordance with the Order so as not to cause the spread of the virus. Finally, compliance is serious as the county has now indicated that fines and penalties may be issued for businesses that do not comply. Whether this includes associations is to be determined.
Generally, facial coverings must be worn anytime you obtain a good or service from any establishment, including entering, exiting, and otherwise moving around within the establishment (and must be worn by persons working in those establishments during in-person interactions).
The covering should cover the nose and mouth, and comply with the CDC recommendations on the use and sanitation of such coverings. There are certain limited exemptions, including, without limitation, children under the age of two or children of any age while in the custody of licensed childcare facilities, persons with medical conditions, or during the time-period when you are receiving a good/service that precludes wearing a facial covering (e.g., eating, drinking, receiving a facial grooming).
Violations are subject to potential civil penalties (fines) and/or criminal enforcement (2nd degree misdemeanor). Suspected violations can be reported to local municipal code enforcement. The Broward County Order does not specifically require facial coverings within private residential communities (condos/HOAs). Please note, however, that cities may have stricter requirements than the county, so you should confirm with your city accordingly.
Any questions concerning the county requirements can be directed to the County COVID19 Hotline: (954) 357-9500.
The relevant FAQ from the county, and the three (3) Orders are below:
FAQ about Facial Coverings from County: https://www.broward.org/CoronaVirus/Documents/FacialCoveringsFAQs.pdf
EO #12: https://www.broward.org/CoronaVirus/Documents/EmergencyOrder20-12.pdf
EO #13: https://www.broward.org/CoronaVirus/Documents/EmergencyOrder20-13.pdf
EO #14: https://www.broward.org/CoronaVirus/Documents/EmergencyOrder20-14.pdf
CITY OF HALLANDALE
Facial coverings are required within the common areas of all buildings with multiple residents per Emergency Order HB20-12.
CITY OF HOLLYWOOD
All persons beyond legal boundary of residential property are required to wear facial coverings consistent with CDC guidelines as per Emergency Order 2020-06.
Miami-Dade County issued Emergency Order 20-20 on April 9, 2020 (“Order 20-20”) which requires that all persons working in or visiting grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies, construction sites, public transit vehicles, vehicles for hire, and locations where social distancing measures are not possible to wear facial coverings. In other words, face masks are required where social distancing is not possible. The Order defines a facial covering as “any covering which snugly covers the face and mouth, whether store bought or homemade, and which is secured with ties or ear loops.”
On May 15, 2020, Miami-Dade County issued Emergency Order 23-20 (“Order 23-20”) further providing that anyone “working in or visiting an establishment, including but not limited to airports, seaports, and mass transit facilities and vehicles” must wear a facial covering as described in Order 20-20. However, Order 23-20 provides an exemption for children under the age of two years, persons who have trouble breathing, where federal or state safety regulations prohibit the wearing of facial coverings, and for persons engaged in strenuous physical activity.
On May 27, 2020, Order 23-20 was amended to provide an additional exemption to the facial covering requirement “while persons are eating or drinking.” Additionally, Order 23-20 adopts The New Normal; A Guide for Residents and Commercial Establishments (the “New Normal Guidelines”) which includes industry specific protocols for the reopening of retail and commercial establishments, including general reopening guidelines that provide that facial coverings must be worn inside businesses and commercial establishments or wherever social distancing is not possible.
On June 22, 2020, Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez released a statement regarding the importance of wearing masks and social distancing. He reiterated that masks are required indoors at business establishments and outdoors when people cannot practice social distancing to remain at least six (6) feet apart. In his statement, Mayor Gimenez acknowledged the stricter rules issued by some municipalities in Miami-Dade County, including Miami, North Miami Beach, Aventura, Hialeah, and Miami Gardens.
CITY OF AVENTURA
As pertains to community associations, the City Manager of Aventura issued Emergency Order Number 12 (“Order 12”) which provides additional mandates requiring the use of facial coverings in the interior “Common Areas” of commercial buildings and residential condominium and cooperative buildings. Order 12 provides that common areas include lobby/reception areas, hallways, elevators, mailrooms, clubhouse/meeting rooms, and stair wells. That means that you are required to wear a mask in any interior common areas of condominium or cooperative buildings in the City of Aventura. It is important to note that Order 12 provides that property managers/building managers are required to enforce the facial covering requirement.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
Order 2020-27 went into effect on 5pm June 24, 2020. The order does not specifically apply to community associations as they are not a “business” under the order. Face coverings must be worn inside all indoor establishments. Businesses are required to enforce the mask order and can be charged with a second-degree misdemeanor if they don’t, a penalty of up to 60-days in jail and/or six months’ probation and a $500 fine. The exception does not apply to children under two, persons with pre-existing medical conditions that would be worsened by a mask, hearing-impaired persons, those working in a profession that would be unable to perform their duties with a mask such as public safety, exercising, eating and drinking, or those already observing federal social distancing guidelines (the 6-foot rule).
Tampa is the only exception in Hillsborough where the mask rule would apply to community associations. if you are outside your home, you must wear a face covering and if no face covering, up to a $500 citation could be issued. This would apply to community associations whenever a resident is outside of their residence.
PINELLAS COUNTY
Order 20-14 went into effect on 5pm June 24, 2020. Face coverings must be worn in all indoor public places in Pinellas County. While not specifically drafted to apply to community associations, the definition of indoor public place would cover community associations when the residents can access the facility. The only exceptions applicable to community associations are if less than 10 people are in the facility and they are practicing social distancing. Parties not wearing a mask can receive a civil citation of $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second and $500 for a third. Additional repeat violations may result in a misdemeanor arrest. The exceptions mirror those of Hillsborough County and Pinellas’s enforcement cannot conflict with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Order does not apply to government entities or hospitals or persons under the age of 18.
PASCO COUNTY
Order went into effect 5pm on June 25, 2020. Face coverings must be worn inside all businesses, government offices, and schools. The definition of businesses is nebulous enough to ensnare community associations under the “providing services to the public” standard. If someone does not wear a mask in the aforementioned places, they will not be able to enter the business, or will be removed once inside. Individual business owners are required to enforce the ordinance or may face a fine up to $250. The exceptions mirrors Hillsborough County and Pasco’s enforcement cannot conflict with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It is suggested you speak with your community association’s attorney due to the lack of specificity in Pasco County’s Order to determine if the Order may apply to your community association.
MANATEE COUNTY
No mask requirements.
The Food and Drug Administration issued a warning on nine alcohol-based hand sanitizers manufactured by Eskbiochem SA de CV in Mexico because it contains wood methanol, a toxic substance. It can result in death if ingested or if absorbed through the skin.
“Consumers who have been exposed to hand sanitizer containing methanol should seek immediate treatment, which is critical for potential reversal of toxic effects of methanol poisoning,” the FDA wrote on June 19.”
Following is list of the hand sanitizers manufactured by Eskbiochem:
All-Clean Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-002-01)
Esk Biochem Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-007-01)
CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-008-04)
The Good Gel Antibacterial Gel Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-010-10)
CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-005-03)
CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-009-01)
CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-003-01)
Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-001-01)
Any fireworks that explode, emit a flame or spark, performs as a projectile, may be illegal and prohibited in many municipalities by Fire Prevention Codes. Violators could be subject to arrest, fines, and could be liable for damages or injuries caused by those fireworks.
1. Use only legally purchased, approved fireworks. Use them as directed, under supervision and clear of any combustible material and clear of all buildings. Legal fireworks should be used or overseen by a responsible adult. No such fireworks may be thrown into, over, or around other homes, forested areas, or left in the common areas of the HOA. Residents who fail to comply with these restrictions will be held responsible for any damage and repairs.
2. Local Code enforcement Laws – If you plan on using fireworks you should first check with the local law enforcement or city codes before setting off fireworks. There may be noise ordinances and fireworks may be illegal all together. This goes beyond the governing by your HOA.
Safety-Insurance – You need to fully understand your homeowners insurance policy regarding your own property damage, accidents or injuries as a result of using fireworks. If your fireworks go or land on another resident’s property or on common areas, you may be responsible for damages to property and accidents or injuries that may occur.
People think sparklers are safe. Some sparklers can attain a temperature as high as 1800 degrees Fahrenheit and cause severe injuries. Whether a spectator or the user of malfunctioning fireworks, victims may be able to seek damages for their injuries.
To ensure a safe 4th of July, we encourage residents to know and adhere to all policies by your community association and local laws before having a fireworks display.
It is reported that 200 people on average go to the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July 4th holiday.
It’s the responsibility of the HOA board to uphold, enhance, and maintain the Association. Reminding residents of 4th of July safety lets them know you care about their safety. This is why HOA ‘s must implement and enforce rule and regulations to protect the association, homeowners and the community.
It’s not too late to get patriotic and think about your HOA hosting its own July 4th celebration to let members know they live in a fun and safe HOA.
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We believe everyone has the right to celebrate our country’s freedom on the 4th of July with Joy & Enthusiasm. Keep in mind that your right to celebrate ends where the local noise ordinances, laws, your neighbor’s rights and property begins.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This year’s July 4th holiday may look different from most, with many people celebrating from home due to social distancing restrictions still in place to help stop the spread of COVID-19. All too often, however, Independence Day backyard celebrations can end up with a trip to the hospital for fireworks-related injuries.
“Many Americans will not get to see the grand, professional fireworks displays this 4th of July given the cancellations of public celebrations and stay-at-home orders across the country. As an alternative, people are purchasing their own fireworks in an effort to recreate that tradition at home,” said CPSC Commissioner Dana Baiocco. “The need for safety awareness regarding fireworks is greater than ever,” she said, “and anyone who plans to use consumer fireworks this year should review and follow CPSC’s simple safety tips to prevent injuries and incidents.”
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) wants consumers to know the risks of handling fireworks at home, and how to prevent serious injuries and deaths.
Tips to Celebrate Safely
Never allow young children to play with, or ignite, fireworks, including sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit—hot enough to melt some metals.
Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy, in case of fire or other mishap.
Light fireworks one at a time, then move away quickly.
Never try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Soak them with water and throw them away.
Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Move to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
Never point or throw fireworks (including sparklers) at anyone.
After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding the device to prevent a trash fire.
Make sure fireworks are legal in your area, and only purchase fireworks that are labeled for consumer (not professional) use.
For more fireworks safety tips visit www.cpsc.gov/fireworks.
The Data on Injuries and Deaths
Today, CPSC announced that about 10,000 injuries and 12 fireworks-related deaths were reported for 2019.
There were an estimated 10,000 fireworks-related, emergency department-treated injuries in 2019, with 73 percent occurring during the month surrounding the Fourth of July (June 21-July 21). During that period, sparklers were the number one cause of injuries, accounting for an estimated 900 injuries; 66 percent of the injuries were to males. Similar to 2018’s data, nearly half of the estimated injuries were to individuals younger than 20 years of age. In fact, half of reported sparkler injuries involved children younger than 5.
At least 12 people died from fireworks-related incidents in 2019. Several deaths occurred when victims held and ignited fireworks. In one of the reported cases in 2019, a 21-year-old male was critically injured when lighting mortar-type fireworks on the rooftop of an apartment complex. The firework ignited and exploded while the victim was holding it over his head. The victim was taken to the hospital, where he died five days later.
CPSC has reports of 126 fireworks-related deaths between 2004 and 2019.
Video News Release (VNR)
Demonstrations of fireworks dangers
Spanish soundbite from CPSC spokesperson Carla Coolman
Video link: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/1STVHF4rer
For lifesaving information:
– Visit CPSC.gov.
– Sign up to receive our e-mail alerts.
– Follow us on Facebook, Instagram @USCPSC and Twitter @USCPSC.
– Report a dangerous product or a product-related injury on www.SaferProducts.gov.
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Tags: Condo and HOA Laws
