Safety and Health
Outdoor Lighting Since Little River Mews does not have nighttime street lighting, we ask that you turn on your exterior house lights (front and back) every evening. Don’t leave valuables in your vehicles and make sure you always keep all your doors locked — vehicles as well as entrances to your home.
Community Sanitation — Littering and Trash Cans Please do not litter in Little River Mews (that includes cigarette butts!), and if you see trash in the parking lot or strewn around your home, please pick it up and dispose of it properly. We’ve had numerous raccoons and other animals in the neighborhood that like to tear into plastic trash bags for edible garbage, so please don’t put your trash out on the curb without using a secured trash can until the morning of a scheduled trash pick up. Only trash cans with secure lids and recyclables may be left out the night before. After trash has been picked up, please promptly remove your trash cans and recycle bins and place them either in your back yard, on your back deck, or indoors where they cannot be seen by visitors. Do not store them on common ground and do not place them in front of your home unless you can fully conceal them behind bushes. Trash bins and other items left out on the curb or on common ground for more than 24 hours after trash pick up are subject to confiscation.
DogsIf you have a dog, please be aware that Fairfax County law requires that all dogs be leashed when they are outside of your house or enclosure. Fairfax County also requires that all dogs be licensed. For more information, or to report unleashed dogs, contact Fairfax County Animal Control at (703) 222-8234. Lastly, please remember to pick up after your dog.
The island at the entrance, area near the Little River Mews sign, area behind 4501, and the traffic circle island are not dog parks. Please do not encourage your dogs to use those areas. Also - please keep your dogs out of your neighbors' yards and shrubs - nobody wants an unpleasant surprise when they are gardening and dog urine can damage yards. Clean up all dog waste promptly. If your dog eliminates on your property please clean it up immediately so foul smells do not interfere with your neighbors' enjoyment of their property. SmokersBe considerate of your neighbors. Smoking outdoors can ruin the enjoyment of neighbors who wish to use their decks and yards or simply open their windows for fresh air.
Remember to pick up and safely dispose of all cigarette butts and smoking materials. Littering is against the law, and the residue on such items can be toxic to children, pets and wildlife. SnowIndividuals are responsible for clearing any snow from and around their cars - without dumping it in the roadway or on your neighbors' cars or parking spaces. You can put snow between your car and sidewalk, as well as in your front yard area. In times of heavy snow, you may pile it on common ground but must keep all roadways and sidewalks clear and not block fire hydrants or mailboxes, or damage trees. Home occupants are responsible for promptly clearing the sidewalk in front of their property and treating it for ice - we do not have a contract for clearing sidewalks (and never have). |
911 Emergency ServicesIf you think someone should call the police then that someone is you. Please do not expect a Board member to do the work of a first responder or act as a public safety officer.
If you are in danger, please call 911.
We are in Area 600 serviced by the Franconia Station. Fire SafetyResidents are reminded to use common sense and be aware of the dangers of open flames, flammable materials and the proximity of their decks to neighbors' decks and homes when grilling or using hazardous materials both within and outside their home. Learn more about fire safety and fire code compliance on the Fairfax County Fire Marshal's web site. A good place to learn about seasonal fire and safety risks like fireworks, grilling, fireplaces, candles, etc. is their educational page. Read Open-Flame Cooking Devices for important information about using charcoal, gas or other flammable materials in your grills. Children in the NeighborhoodWhen driving in Little River Mews, please be cautious and obey the speed limit of 15 MPH. Community children who are outside playing, as well as adult residents using the parking lot, deserve your consideration. If you see someone speeding down the hill and/or whipping around the lower drive corner, please ask them to slow down. Parents, please watch your children and remind them to watch for vehicles. If someone is pulling in or out of a parking space, please make sure your children know to move onto the sidewalk and remain several feet back from the curb. Do not leave small children unattended. Neighborhood WatchWe're sorry, but attorneys have advised us that HOAs cannot sponsor Neighborhood Watch groups due to liability issues. However, residents of the Mews can independently form their own group and we'll be happy to assist in spreading awareness via our newsletter and organizing informational meetings for members. Community services referralsPrint this handout from Fairfax County [PDF] to share with people who need community services assistance (homelessness, domestic violence, mental health, substance abuse, etc.) |