This is a guest post by: Drew Smithfield, a freelance safety and security writer. 

Some of the best security advocates you can find are just yards away from your home – they're your neighbors. Introducing yourself to your neighbors and establishing a relationship with them not only helps deepen your ties to your homeowners association community but also helps increase the security of your family and home.

Short term rentals have become a hot-button issue in HOA communities. More and more homeowners are choosing to rent their homes through sites such as Airbnb or VRBO as a convenient, low-cost way to earn additional income; however, the popularity of short-term rentals is raising concerns in associations and even opening them up to liabilities.

Do you live in a community where the HOA board is running its own projects? Are you feeling as if you’re not getting the proper information and updates about the project?

HOA managers are often the face of all projects and correspondence to the owners. This helps the membership to feel secure and helps ensure the projects are run in a professional and accurate manor.

When your community is recruiting new HOA board members, there are certain qualities to look for in prospective members and good strategies for getting these individuals involved.

Living in a homeowners association is more than just residing in a structure of wood and nails. It’s about building relationships and being part of a community. There are key relationships that HOA board members can nurture and encourage residents in the Association to develop as well.

Everyone wants a safe place to call home, and your homeowners association should strive to make all residents feel secure. While the HOA board is diligent in its efforts to reduce possible dangers in your community, it can't do it alone. It's up to everyone to pitch in to keep crime rates down. Thankfully, taking a few simple steps can go a long way in keeping theft, vandalism and other felonies and misdemeanors out of the Association.

Your homeowners association may have a strict pet policy. Maybe it’s “no pets under any circumstance” or “no dogs over 50 pounds” or bans certain breeds of dogs or limits the total number of pets allowed in each unit. How does your HOA board navigate the situation when an owner requests to have a service dog or some other type of animal?

Social media has many benefits. It allows you to maintain connections with friends and neighbors in your homeowners association, make new contacts, build support networks, express yourself, and share your interests. However, information should be shared with caution to protect yourself and your family. Learn more in the tips below.

Longer days and warmer weather means that many of the youngest residents in the HOA have more  freedom to play outside to their heart’s content (or at least until mom or dad call them back inside)! While homeowners associations encourage kids to enjoy being outside they also want everyone to stay safe. Your HOA board can do just that by helping members follow the tips below.