What's On Your Front Porch?

Now that the days are somewhat cooler, I have resumed my daily walks in the Gardens. Not only is it good exercise, it lets me check the condition of our complex. 

When I see common area problems I report them to Kathryn Shaffer ( kaherriott@yahoo.com ), head of our common area maintenance and landscaping committee. So should you.

However what I saw last week is not a common area problem - it's yours. 

When is the last time you opened your front door and checked out how the front of your unit looks? I saw door hangers, campaign literature from the last primary, and PACKAGES LEFT OVER A WEEK.

I pulled down the door hangers and campaign literature, and put the old Yellow Book bags in the trash. I rang doorbells where there were packages on the front porch. 

The hangers and "door stuffers " are a cosmetic problem that can lead to a bigger problems. It makes it look like you have left home for a while, inviting a thief to target your unit to break into. The same with newspapers piled up on the drive. If you are going to leave your unit for a few days, ask a neighbor to check your front door and porch for material left there. Of course, cancel your newspaper delivery while you are away.

I don't have a solution for the packages on the front porch. I think that most of us know when to expect a delivery for something we ordered. But sometimes it gets delivered to the wrong unit and they will put it on your porch. Also sometimes friends and family send us stuff we didn't expect.

So, OPEN your front door every few days and see what's there. It's cheaper than an alarm company!