Trustees have you completed your winter readiness inspection?

As temperatures begin to drop across Northern Illinois, now is the time for churches to prepare their buildings, parsonages, and properties for another Midwest winter.

Frozen pipes, heating failures, ice dams, and slippery sidewalks can cause significant property damage, costly insurance claims, and injuries. Many of these incidents can be prevented with a little planning and routine maintenance.

Here are six things every church should do before winter arrives:

1. Keep the heat on! Maintain appropriate building temperatures, generally at least 55°F, even when the church is unoccupied. Remember that remote rooms and areas with exposed plumbing may be much colder.
2. Protect your pipes. Insulate exposed water lines, disconnect outdoor hoses, and make sure multiple individuals know where the main water shutoff valve is located and know how to turn it off.
3. Look up! Check gutters, downspouts, and roof drainage before snow and ice accumulate. Address existing leaks and drainage problems. Keep areas well lite during these dark winter months so properties are easy to navigate.
4. Plan for Snow and Ice. Slips, trips, and falls are especially common during the winter months. Be proactive in keeping sidewalks, parking lots, steps, entrances, and other walking surfaces clear of snow and ice. Establish clear responsibilities for snow and ice removal, including a schedule or predetermined expectations to ensure all walking surfaces are safe and accessible whenever the facility is in use. Make sure those responsible for snow removal are aware of all scheduled church activities, not just Sunday services. Keep ice melt readily available and document snow and ice removal activities. If using an outside contractor, obtain a Certificate of Insurance naming both the church and the Northern Illinois Conference as Additional Insureds. Make sure emergency exits remain clear and handrails are accessible.
5. Don't forget your heating equipment. Have boilers and furnaces professionally serviced. Confirm that thermostats, alarms, and monitoring systems are working properly.
6. Assign someone to check the building. Churches or areas of buildings that are only occupied a few days each week are particularly vulnerable. Establish a regular inspection schedule, especially during extreme cold and after winter storms.

 Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow—but don't let preventable winter claims follow!