Current Knox Box Owners-Please Read.

The Chatham County first responders will be in Fearrington Village during the month of October checking all the current Knox Box owners units. You don't need to be home, we just wanted you to be aware that they will be looking at each unit.

ABOUT the Knox Box Rapid Emergency Access Key Safe: The Residential Knox-Box® is a high-security key safe designed for single-family homes that only local emergency responders can access. With a Residential KNOX-BOX® installed, emergency responders can respond quickly, without forcing entry. They simply remove your entrance key stored inside, provide medical assistance, and re-lock your door when they leave. Order from www.knoxbox.com or call 1-800-552-5669. If you have questions, call the Center at 919-542-6877 weekdays between 9:00-1:00 pm.

Recent (September 12, 2020) Fender Bender Accident & Explanation of the 15/501 & Village Way Traffic Signal

On Saturday, September 12th, 2020, you might have noticed or heard about another minor collision at the entrance of Village Way on 15/501. While the cause is not known at this time, it could easily have been caused by drivers not understanding the sophisticated computer-controlled traffic light sequences at the 15/501 and Village Way intersection and/or the rules about which vehicles have the right-of-way depending on which traffic signal lamps are lighted.

This is an appropriate time to review the computer-controlled traffic signal system, which features occasional GREEN and RED steady (solidly) lighted arrows, and the almost always flashing YELLOW arrow, all of which display for SOUTHbound traffic (moving toward Pittsboro). The relatively rare steady GREEN lighted arrow means that all the signal lights in the opposite direction are glowing RED for all NORTHbound traffic (headed toward Chapel Hill), as well as for any vehicles negotiating a right turn to enter Village Way using the short set-off lane. Every time all those Northbound lights are Red, Southbound traffic on 15/501 will have a steady, solid GREEN ARROW, and all Northbound vehicles facing those Red lights MUST YIELD to vehicles crossing 15-501 to enter the village via Village Way. In such an infrequent instance, those with a solid green arrow have the right-of-way. Thus, If you are traveling North from the direction of Pittsboro, want to turn right to enter Village Way, and all the signal lamps are RED, you also MUST STOP and yield to any traffic crossing the highway to enter the village. Remember that in such an instance the traffic in the opposite (southbound) direction ALWAYS has a SOLID GREEN arrow to enter the village, which means that they have the functional equivalent of a solid green light. When SOUTH-bound traffic has a FLASHING YELLOW arrow (which is the most frequent occasion), they MAY turn left onto Village Way as long as there is no oncoming traffic approaching from the opposite direction. Since such traffic is moving at speeds often in excess of 60 MPH, this can be a hazardous crossover maneuver, especially since it is very difficult to accurately judge how much time you have to avoid being hit by those approaching vehicles, which are—in fact—closer to you than they may appear to be. If the Southbound traffic sees a SOLID RED left arrow, just like any Red light, that means Northbound traffic has ALL GREEN lights and Southbound drivers cannot turn left and cannot make the left U-Turn. In such an instance, southbound drivers have NO left-turning right-of-way until the signal lighting pattern changes. Two additional important things to remember: (1) when you are exiting from Village Way by turning right onto 15-501 (to go Northbound toward Chapel Hill), cars across the road making a U-turn MAY HAVE A SOLID GREEN ARROW at that same time, and if so, they, not you, have the right-of-way. And (2) in North Carolina traffic law, every driver (whether they have the right-of-way or not) must drive in a manner to avoid an accident if at all possible. If you have the right-of-way and another driver has usurped it, you do not proceed if doing so will cause an accident. Stay Safe. Warren Ort, FHA Director / Health, Safety, & Security (HSS) Jon Darling, HSS Traffic Safety Committee Membe

What to Do if a Bat Gets in Your House

What to Do if a Bat Gets in Your House

"Bats are like people: They panic and can't calm down," a researcher said. Here's how you can help safely evict your unexpected visitor. Tracy Wait Dowd was in her second-floor apartment in Kingston, N.Y., one night in July when she heard a noise in her kitchen: A bat was fluttering near the overhead light.

Chatham County (NC) Prepares for Height of Hurricane Season Amid COVID-19

Chatham County (NC) Posted this Notice on Their Website on 09/01/2020 12:15 PM PITTSBORO, NC – As Chatham County prepares for the height of hurricane season, it is also taking measures to reduce the possible spread of COVID-19 to ensure residents remain safe from incoming storms and the virus. Chatham County residents are also encouraged to plan ahead by making an emergency plan, building a kit (a “go bag”) and preparing for power outages that could last for several days. “This hurricane season brings us additional challenges that are quite unprecedented. Not only is an above-normal to extremely active season predicted, but we continue to respond to the coronavirus and must take necessary precautions in our emergency planning,” said Chatham County Emergency Management Director Steve Newton. “Due to COVID-19 still being present in our community, residents are advised to utilize an emergency shelter as a last resort and should make plans in advance to stay with a family member, friend, or another safe place.” Emergency Shelter Plans Depending on the forecasted impact, emergency management officials may recommend Sheltering in Place instead of opening a disaster shelter. Chatham County will not open a pre-landfall shelter, before a storm hits, except under imminent direct threat of an extreme event (forecast of direct, sustained, significant impact less than 24 hours out). If congregate sheltering is required, Chatham County’s strategy will be to open one facility. A second facility will be considered if the first shelter reaches 75% of its COVID-19 capacity. Chatham County may pre-position, and possibly deploy equipment and supplies in to one or more designated shelter facilities – but keep the facilities closed until impact and demand is known. Members of the public should exercise additional caution when traveling to a shelter as trees and power lines may have fallen, and roads may be flooded. Residents should obey road closed signs and follow directional signs when checking in to a shelter. Emergency Shelter Safety Precautions Shelter(s) open in Chatham County will abide by strict guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19. All clients, staff, and volunteers are required to wear face coverings and physical distance will be monitored and enforced among individuals who are not part of not in the same household. Each client will have their temperature checked and must complete a questionnaire related to the coronavirus; those who are confirmed positive or are symptomatic must remain isolated from other shelter clients. The use of cots will be limited to those clients with medical issues, and six feet of distance must be maintained from individuals who are not part of the same household. Meals and snacks will likely be individually packaged, such as boxed or bag lunches, heater meals, and/or Meals-Ready-To-Eat (MRE). Cleanliness will be key at Chatham County emergency shelters. Facilities will be cleaned often, and staff and clients must wash their hands and use hand sanitizer often. Make an Emergency Plan and Kit Residents are advised to make an emergency plan and create a kit now. An emergency kit should include the following items: Water (1 gallon/person for 3-7 days) Food (non-perishable) Cell phone and charger Blanket and pillow Seasonal changes of clothes and sturdy shoes Prescription drugs and first aid kit Toiletries Flashlight and extra batteries NOAA weather radio Cash Important documents Families with infants or pets should include food, medication and other necessary items for them. “As we approach the height of hurricane season, it’s critical more than ever this year that Chatham County residents plan ahead for their families and not wait until a major storm is on its path toward North Carolina with potential impacts on our community,” added Newton.  

For more information on preparing for hurricane season during COVID-19, residents are encouraged to visit chathamnc.org/ready-chatham. When the Emergency Operations Center is activated, residents with questions may call the EOC at 919-545-8181. 

How Long It Would Take A Hacker To Guess Your Password, Visualized

How Long It Would Take A Hacker To Guess Your Password, Visualized - Digg

We all know our passwords probably aren't as safe as they should be (looking at you, people who have used their pet's name plus their birthdate for the last 10 years) - but would it take a hacker nine months to guess yours, or 25 seconds?