Happy (almost!) 4th of July!
With America’s 250th birthday celebrations this weekend a few community reminders.
Fireworks
While the state of Ohio allows fireworks – the city of Columbus, where our community resides – does not. Prairie Township and other small municipalities near us have their own laws governing fireworks. So while you may see fireworks from our community – they may be being fired off from areas that are allowed to do so.
Fireworks can pose a hazard to both people and pets as often their debris is carried far from where they are set off. This debris lands on rooftops and in backyards where they can cause damage to homes, people, and pets. Also, veterans and pets can struggle with the loud bangs and pops, especially if spaced out over several hours.
With our community in mind we encourage anyone wishing to see fireworks this 4th of July to do so at any of the community shows nearby. For convenience several are listed below:
City of Columbus – Red, White, & Boom – Friday, July 3rd
City of Hilliard – Freedom Fest – Saturday, July 4th
City of Dublin – Independence Day Celebration – Saturday, July 4th
Grove City – 4th of July Celebration – Saturday, July 4th
Headed out of town for the 4th – check out https://america250-ohio.org/picnic/ for more activities happening all around Ohio this weekend!
Hot Weather
The soaring temperatures this week have made being outdoors challenging for everyone. Please be sure to take regular breaks when working outdoors, stay hydrated, and when possible plan for strenuous activity during the early morning or evening hours when the temperatures (or at least the sun) aren’t quite as intense.
To keep electricity costs from soaring utilize fans throughout your home to keep hot air from “pooling” and make use of blinds and curtains to keep the sun from raising the internal temperatures. Make sure any HVAC filters are clean and run exhaust fans in bathrooms to pull out any trapped warm air. Limiting appliance use (like ovens and stoves) can also help keep homes cooler.
Thankfully the extreme heat should be letting up soon but please take care of yourselves and your neighbors during holiday celebrations this weekend.
Roadway Safety
This summer has had a marked increase in children and teenager operating motorized scooters/bicycles and traditional bikes through the community. We encourage parents to speak with their children/teens about safety on these devices – particularly about how to approach intersections and being sure to stop/yield appropriately to traffic. Helmets should always be worn when riding, especially when riding in busy roadways.
Community Safety
Secure Your Belongings
As always, please be sure to secure all your belongings at night and do not leave items in vehicles. When not in active use keep garage doors closed and bicycles and other kids toys indoors. Crime can happen at anytime but the more steps we can take to prevent it the better. Should you spot anything suspicious in the community please reach out to the Columbus Police department at 614 645 4545. If it is an emergency, please contact 911.
Community Fence and Playground Damage
There has been an increase in damage to our community fence as well as the playground this summer. As a reminder, should damaged be noted please reach out to the Board. The Board has contacted the manufacturers to get the necessary parts for repair but it is a slow process. Anyone seen jumping the fence or intentionally damaging the park surface should be reported to the Board so follow up can be initiated when possible.
Curfew Update
As a final note – the City of Columbus recently passed new legislation regarding the curfew for minors. So parents are aware the new curfew hours are now:
* Children 12 and under are not allowed to be out unsupervised from 9PM to 6AM
* Children 13 – 17 are not allowed to be out unsupervised from 10PM to 6AM
Some exceptions do exist such as teens returning from work/school/church activities, emergencies, and any youth accompanied by an adult. Refer to local news outlets or the City of Columbus for more details related to the new laws and enforcement.
Wishing everyone a happy and safe 4th of July!