Vacation Safety Tips

Seasonal Insect Awareness

Midges are small non-biting flying insects that play an important role in the natural ecosystem of the Outer Banks. Midges are common year-round especially in the warmer months and tend to emerge in areas near channels creeks and large bodies of water such as the sound. They gather in very large dense masses on the sides of homes decks vegetation and carports and they are highly attracted to light. Swarms can be dense enough to interfere with outdoor activities. The presence of midges naturally attracts spiders and other insects who feed on them. Unfortunately extermination and pest control of midges is ineffective due to their breeding habits and 24-hour lifecycle as adults. The best way to reduce the presence of midges at your vacation home is to:

• Keep all exterior lights off
• Empty any containers of standing water
• Keep windows and doors shut
• Close window shades at night

If midges are present during your stay we suggest using a broom or hose on the exterior of the home. If midges get inside the home we suggest using a vacuum with a hose extension.

Elevator Precautions

If the home you are renting has an elevator:

• Children should not play in or around the elevator.
• Do not allow a child to stand between the elevator gate and landing door.
• Do not allow children or pets to ride the elevator unattended.
• Never enter the elevator hoistway above or below the elevator cab for any reason.
• Do not operate or attempt to operate the elevator if the cab gate or landing door locking system is not functioning properly.
• Do not operate or attempt to operate the elevator if you detect any unusual sounds or the ride seems abnormal.
• If the elevator is not operating properly do not attempt to service or repair the elevator yourself.

Failure to follow these instructions could result in severe injury or death.

Road Safety

• Vehicle drivers should use caution and be aware of pedestrians and bicyclists. Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists in crosswalks.
• Pedestrians and bicyclists should use multi-use paths when available. Ride bicycles on the right in the same direction as vehicle traffic. Pedestrians should walk facing traffic.
• Wear a helmet and obey all traffic signs and signals when biking.
• Cross streets only at marked crosswalks.

At Your Vacation Home

• Keep vacation homes and vehicles locked at all times. Money credit cards and other valuables should be kept in a secure location.
• Twiddy Housekeeping and Maintenance personnel will be wearing a Twiddy T-shirt or polo when visiting your vacation home. Other vendors should have their company logo on their clothing and/or vehicle. For anyone who stops by your vacation home it is good practice to ask their name who they work for and why they are at the home. Please call Twiddy at (252) 457-1100 to report any suspicious activity at your vacation home.
• Your vacation home is equipped with smoke detectors. Smoke detectors are checked frequently but we cannot overemphasize their importance. Double-check that all smoke detectors are operable and call Twiddy at (252) 457-1100 if batteries are needed.

Pools & Hot Tubs

• Keep all gates and doors leading to the pool and hot tub areas locked at all times to prevent children from wandering into the areas unattended. Please call Twiddy immediately at (252) 457-1100 if any locking mechanism leading to the pool or hot tub is not functioning properly.
• Do not turn off or disable alarms on doors with pool or hot tub access.
• Pets are not permitted in pool and hot tub areas. Additional cleanings necessary due to misuse will incur a fee.
• Do not leave children unattended or use flotation gear as a “babysitter.” There are no lifeguards on duty; adult supervision is required at all times (even when children are able to swim).
• Diving is prohibited and may result in severe back and neck injuries.
• Do not enter pool pump rooms or tamper with pool heaters equipment or hot tubs.
• Pregnant women, individuals taking medication, and those with diabetes, high or low blood pressure, heart disease, or other cardiovascular conditions should consult their physician prior to entering a hot tub. Persons with open sores or any type of infection should not use a hot tub.
• Do not remove floating chemical dispensers from the hot tub at any time.
• Children under the age of 12 are prohibited from entering hot tubs at any time.
• Limit hot tub sessions to 15 minutes or less. Overuse or misuse of hot tubs results in a higher possibility of infection; sanitizers are not able to combat abnormally elevated levels of bacteria.
• Do not enter a hot tub while consuming or after consuming alcohol.
• Operational issues should be reported to Twiddy at (252) 457-1504. In case of emergency, call 911 for assistance.