Stassa Collins

THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2024 HOA NOTICES:

NO TRASH & RECYCLING SERVICES ON JULY 4TH. NO MAKE-UP DAY. SERVICES WILL RESUME ON THEIR NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED PICK-UP DAY ON MONDAY/THURSDAY THE FOLLOWING WEEK.
HOA OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON JULY 4TH. POOL APPLICATION & GUEST PASS PROCESSING WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE.

FIREWORKS SAFETY NOTICE

*burnt grass near HOA pond from fireworks*

Broadlands wishes you a happy and safe 4th of July. We would like to take this opportunity to remind our residents about some important fireworks safety tips, particularly during this period of drought. We haven’t seen any significant rain in weeks and much of the turf has fully dried out. Dry grass is like a match and can ignite within seconds of coming into contact with a flame or hot surface. On July 2^nd, residents were setting off fireworks on a grassy common area near an HOA-owned pond when the turf caught fire. The fire department was on the scene quickly to extinguish the flames, but it could have been much worse. Hot, dry, breezy weather conditions are prime for fireworks to spark grass, which can quickly extend to dry shrubs and trees, and even cars and homes if they are close by. The Virginia Department of Forestry reminds the public that if you are found responsible for having started a wildfire with fireworks, you may be liable for all suppression and reclamation costs or even face imprisonment and fines.

Some great alternatives for fireworks are using glow sticks, noisemakers, and silly string or attending a public fireworks display around the county. There are many to choose from, with a full list available on the Loudoun County website. However, if setting fireworks off at home is your plan, here are some safety tips for using fireworks in a drought:
1. Do Not Ignite Fireworks in Public or Common Areas. It is prohibited to discharge fireworks in grassy or wooded areas, parking lots, roads, or any facility grounds including but not limited to the HOA Office, Clubhouse, Community Center, Hillside Park, and pools.
2. Spray Down the Launch Site with a Hose Beforehand. If you’re only setting off fireworks that stay on the ground, spray down a spot that’s at least 30 feet in diameter. If you’re using things like bottle rockets and Roman candles, it should ideally be 150 feet in diameter. Don’t choose a launching spot that LOOKS dry.
3. Keep the Hose Nearby, Just in Case. If a hose doesn’t reach, have a fire extinguisher handy or even a bucket of water.
4. Be Aware of How Windy it is. If the wind picks up, let it die down before you set anything else off. Even one little spark can start a fire if it lands in the wrong place.
5. Designate an Adult to Watch for Any Sparks That Hit the Ground. If a fire DOES start, at least one adult needs to be paying attention so you can douse it as quickly as possible. If everyone is looking UP, you might not notice right away.
6. Don’t Get Overconfident. Even if you’re only using small fireworks, you can still start a fire or hurt yourself by mistake.