Business Meetings of the Shelter Cove Homeowners Association Board of Directors will be held at 5:00 P. M. Every First Tuesday of each month. Meeting will be held at the Cascade Title Co. conference room at 715 Highway 101, across from Safeway. All Association members are welcome to attend.

Mark your calendars for our annual Shelter Cove Homeowners Association annual meeting.

Think safety in fall as weather changes

Think safety as you enjoy the cooler temperatures and vibrant colors:

Safely warm up by the fire.

Inspect your fireplace before lighting the first fire. One of the simple joys of autumn is warming up in front of a fireplace.

If you have a fireplace in your home, be sure to have it cleaned and inspected before lighting your first fire of the season. A buildup of soot and creosote can cause a chimney fire and a backup of dangerous carbon monoxide gas into your home. Keep the area around the fireplace clear and remove any hanging decorations on your mantle. Most importantly, keep a fire extinguisher nearby at all times.

Never leave burning candles unattended.

While glowing candles make any environment feel cozier, remember to keep burning candles away from anything that could burn, such as curtains, bedding or books. Also, always extinguish a candle before going to bed or leaving the house. Never leave children or pets alone with a burning candle.

Watch for new roadway hazards.

Going back to school brings traffic changes. School buses, students on bicycles and teen drivers are out on the roads.

Slow down and take extra care to look for children in school zones, near playgrounds and residential areas. Also, never pass a bus with flashing red lights on, or another vehicle stopped for a pedestrian.

Be alert for wildlife on roadways.

Wildlife is on the move in the fall, so watch carefully for deer, turkeys and other critters crossing the road in front of your vehicle. They are most active from dusk through dawn.

Remember that some animals — deer in particular — frequently travel in groups. If you see one crossing, more are bound to follow.

Get the yard ready for winter.

You've enjoyed your beautiful lawn and garden all summer, but now is the time to prep it for a cold winter. Leaf blowers can be loud and blow more than just leaves, so wear eye and hearing protection to keep you safe from flying debris and preserve your hearing from the dangerous effects of repeated exposure to loud noises.

Use ladders safely.

Falling is one of the most common reasons for emergency department trips. If you plan to clean out your gutters, work as a team when using the ladder. Ladders can buckle or slip, so have someone else hold the ladder as you climb up and down.

Keep your body weight-centered over the ladder, and don't reach too far. It is better to move the ladder a few more times than fall.

Adapted from the Mayo Clinic Health System newsletter: https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/think-safety-in-fall-as-weather-changes