SUNLAND NORTH DIVISION 17 OWNERS ASSOCIATION
Quarterly Newsletter –September 2017
Email: sunlandnorth@gmail.com
website: www.sunlandnorthownersassociation.com
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1655, Sequim, WA 98382
The next three Division 17’s Monthly Board Meetings are scheduled for October 11th, November 1st, and December 6th at the Gathering Place, 135 Fairway Drive.
New Residents: Please review Division 17’s Homeowners Association Governing Documents (CC&R’s, By-laws, and Rules and Regulations) available on Sunland North’s website
SUNLAND NORTH RESIDENTIAL FIRE – July 20, 2017
For the first time in its entire history, Sunland North Division 17 suffered a major fire, which resulted in two units being badly damaged. An adjacent unit incurred major smoke damage inside and out.
Fortunately, no human lives were lost; regrettably, family pets did not survive in one unit. The Clallam County fire district released its official incident report that did not state either a cause or source for the fire. The investigator for the Division 17 insurance company was not able to determine the source cause of the fire that originated in unit 191 and closed their file.
October is National Fire Prevention Month. It is a good time for us as residential homeowners to take a look around at our units and be proactive in identifying anything that could potentially be a fire hazard.
Some common items to think about:
- Check light bulb wattages and make sure they are appropriate for the light fixture, both in overhead lights and table lamps. Dust the fixture surrounding the lightbulb in your overhead fixtures.
- Make sure your smoke alarms are in good working order. Smoke detectors have a useful life span of ten years and should be replaced after that time, even if they appear to be in working
- Have the external dryer vent checked and cleaned at least once a year. Check and clean out the dryer filter each time you use the dryer. Dryer lint is one of the most common sources of home fires.
- Clean the grease filter in the stove hood; clean oven for spillages and grease.
- Notice any power fluctuations in your unit that may be cause to have the electrical system checked.
- Major appliances (refrigerators, dryers, washers, space heaters, stoves, microwaves, etc.) should be plugged directly into a wall Never use extension cords or plug strips for these appliances.
- Know the warning signs of problems for electrical appliances: flickering lights, smoke or odd smells, blowing fuses, tripping circuit breakers, or frayed or cracked cords. Check any appliances that display one of these warning signs and either repair or replace the appliance. Do not run extension cords across doorways or where they can be walked upon or pinched by furniture.
- Never leave anything on the stove unattended. It is easy to walk away and forget that something is on the stove. Use the timer as a reminder to check on cooking food.
- Have and practice an escape plan from your unit. About 75% of house fire deaths result from smoke, not from the You must crawl under the smoke with your head 12-24 inches off the floor.
The Clallam County Fire District 3 station on 323 N. 5th Ave. has several free fire tip pamphlets available to the public. In addition, they have free 911 Alert tubes, which look like large pill bottles. Fill out the paperwork enclosed in the vial with your emergency contacts, medications, and health information and put it in a visible spot on your refrigerator door shelves. A 911 sticker is included to affix to your front door to alert 911 professionals that you have this information in your refrigerator, which will assist them (and you!) in the event of a medical emergency.
Division 17’s Insurance – Community Association Underwriters (CAU)
Division 17’s insurer is Community Association Underwriters (CAU). CAU is one of the largest insurance providers in the United States exclusively serving community associations, residential and office condominiums, cooperative apartments and homeowners associations (HOA’s).
In business since 1989, CAU is a leader in community association insurance protection. Across the country, CAU provides insurance for thousands of associations with hundreds of thousands of units.
Division 17’s Certificate of Insurance and Coverage Summary are available on Division 17’s website, under the tab “Owner Information.” It is called an “All In” policy, meaning that it covers all common elements of our units. Over the past few years, a CAU representative has spoken at a few of our Division 17 Board meetings. We were told that if we took the roof off our unit, turned it upside down, and shook out the contents, those items that fall out are the homeowner’s responsibility to insure (furniture, personal possessions, washer/dryer, and refrigerator are all items that would fall out, as opposed to fixed items such as cabinetry, flooring, walls, built in stoves, dishwasher or microwave, which are covered by the CAU policy).
As a homeowner, you will need a condominium owner’s policy, also known as an HO-6, to pick up coverage for your personal property, furniture, additional living expenses (in the event your unit is uninhabitable due to a covered claim) and personal liability. In light of the recent fire at 191 and 201 Cascadia, you may want to look at your individual HO-6 policy and see if you are adequately insured for the contents of your unit.
Photograph or videotape your unit’s contents; furniture, appliances, etc. If you have made upgrades or changes to your unit such as new carpeting or tile, stove, microwave, dishwasher, storm doors, countertops, etc., photograph and document those changes, including the costs. Store this information off-site in a safe place, such as a safe deposit box or on a flash drive to give to a relative or friend for safe-keeping. One resident had another tip: open all your drawers whether it be kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, closets, etc. and take pictures of the contents. It will make the insurance claim process easier if you have photographic evidence of silverware, dishes, pots and pans, small appliances, and clothing (and don’t forget the garage!).
Top causes of fire – National Fire Protection Association
Cooking equipment is the leading cause of home structure fires and home fire injuries. Smoking is the leading cause of civilian home fire deaths. Heating equipment is the second most common cause of home fire fatalities.
- Arson and intentional fires Most of these fires occur outside, but most of the associated deaths, injuries, and losses occur in structures, particularly in homes.
- Candles The top three days for home candle fires are New Year’s Day, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve.
- Cooking Includes general cooking safety info, as well as tips for microwaves, cooking oil and turkey fryers.
- Electrical Safety in the home with circuit interrupters
- Heating The peak months for home heating fires are December, January and
- Smoking Smoking materials (i.e., cigarettes, cigars, pipes, ) are the leading cause of fire deaths in the United States.
2017 – 2018 Division 17 Board Members
President – Gary Fortmann
Vice president – John Lewis
Treasurer – Jim Jones
Secretary – David Walp
Member at large – Mike Johnson
This is my final Division 17 newsletter as editor. Kay Hatler will become the editor with the next newsletter. Thank you, Kay, for volunteering and thanks to all the volunteers in our association who do so much and give so much to our community!
Susan Hamman – Newsletter Editor 2016 – 2017 SusanRainsHamman@gmail.com