While we can’t predict what types of severe weather patterns winter will bring, Mother Nature is bound to deliver a few snowstorms, some heavy sleet, a bit of freezing rain, and probably some wind chill factors well below zero. What we can tell you for certain is that these common events have the potential to take a harsh toll on your school, organization, or business properties.

So, as your risk management professionals, the team at Fred C. Church would like to provide you with some guidance that may help minimize weather-related losses to your buildings, dormitories, or other properties you own and better safeguard your employees, students, participants, and clients—not only during the winter but also throughout the year.

15 Tips for Protecting Your Property and People against Winter Weather

The following list of proactive steps may assist you and your team in preparing for whatever winter has in store:

  • Check all roofs for damage to shingles, flashing, roof vents, and other components.
  • Remove dead tree branches and any unhealthy trees that could potentially fall on a building or car.
  • Determine the maximum snow load capacity of all your roofs.
  • Identify and mark the location of skylights, roof drains, electrical lines, or other utilities that may become obscured by snow.
  • Have moisture-absorbent mats, rugs, or runners in place and caution signage handy.
  • Keep the heat in all buildings to at least 60°F.
  • Ensure that all snow removal equipment is in good working order and ready for use.
  • Place sand and ice removal materials somewhere easily accessible for quick application.
  • Pinpoint a suitable location, with a slight downslope away from buildings, for stacking snow cleared from parking areas.
  • Mark and identify concrete tire stops or landscape islands in parking areas with bright-colored flags.
  • Inspect your heating system and emergency power sources, like generators, to ensure they are in good working order.
  • Maintain a list of employees’ contact numbers and organize a calling tree that you can activate in an emergency.
  • Conduct regular walk-throughs of all the properties you own to check for warning signs of leaks, like water stains on walls or ceilings, and for unusually low temperatures that could indicate a heating system breakdown.
  • Develop a relationship with a restoration company that is ready to respond quickly in an emergency.
  • Review and practice your emergency response plan.

You Don’t Need to Confront Winter Weather on Your Own

If your business or school property is impacted by a severe winter storm, Fred C. Church will be at the ready to support you. Clients who need to file a claim will receive guidance from their client executive and our dedicated in-house claims advocates. Together, these experienced professionals will assist you with your initial report, regularly provide updates on where your claim stands, and be available to answer any questions you have throughout the process.

Of course, the best time to reach out to Fred C. Church is well before severe weather is in the forecast. That’s because with Fred C. Church as your insurance broker, you have access to risk management specialists who can support you in reviewing how prepared your school or business is for the worst that winter has to offer as well as assist you in analyzing the effectiveness of your crisis response plan for the most powerful storms and more. Please contact us today if you would like to tap into our knowledge and experience.