SAFET Y N EIG HBORHOOD WAT C H 2021 NATIO NAL NIGHT OUT By Fay Wood, NW Chief National Night Out is an annual communitybuilding campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make Lake Ashton a safer, caring place to live. It enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community! This year the Lake Ashton National Night Out will be held August 3. A golf cart parade will take place at 7:30 pm starting at the HFC and ending at the Clubhouse. More information will be sent out by blast, so keep an eye open for them. Help make this National Night Out a special one and hopefully all of the great community will participate. See you there! NW SAFET Y TIPS By Fay Wood, NW Chief Are You a Distracted Driver? Most people know that texting and talking on the phone while driving are dangerous activities. But they aren’t the only things that can distract you while you’re driving. Dashboard infotainment systems, navigation tools and even passengers can easily take your focus off the road. Distracted driving is a deadly problem— thousands of deaths have occurred, according to statistics from National Highway & Traffic. Tips that can help you avoid distractions while driving: • Put it away: Place your phone out of sight to prevent temptation. • Know where you’re going: Set your navigation system before driving. • Pull over: If you must call or text while driving, safely pull off the road and stop. • Ask passengers for help: Ask a passenger to help navigate, make a call or send a message. • Don’t be a distraction yourself: Avoid calling or texting others when you know they are driving. • Use “do not disturb”: Many phones have settings that silence incoming calls and messages while your phone is synced with your car. WILDLIFE ALER T Female alligators build a m o u n d n e s t o f s o i l , vegetation, or debris and deposit an average of 32 to 46 eggs in late June or early July. Incubation requires approximately 63-68 days, and hatching occurs from midAugust through early September. Alligators and crocodiles are an important part of Florida's heritage and play a valuable role in the ecosystems where they live. Those who live near lakes and ponds should expect to see alligators from time-totime but they should never be fed or approached. If you see an alligator: • Always give these reptiles a respectful distance — at least 10 feet — and always leave them alone • If you encounter an alligator outside its natural habitat, call the Nuisance Alligator Hotline: 1-866FWC-GATOR (392-4286). • Alligators are nocturnal animals, more active during the night. After dark, avoid fresh and brackish bodies of water, though alligators sometimes lurk in salt water. Unprovoked bites will often occur at the edge of the water. • Never feed alligators; it encourages them to lose their natural fear of people. • Small animals, like pets, and small children are generally more at risk than large adults. • Female alligators protect their nests by hissing and opening their mouths; this does not mean they are preparing to attack. • Alligators under 4 feet in length are not considered a threat to humans. Brochures about coexisting with alligators and crocodiles are available at the Clubhouse Activities Desk. The FWC has several rules that prohibit feeding wildlife, including bears, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, pelicans, sandhill cranes, bald eagles, and alligators.
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