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Preparing Your Facilities for Cooler Months
This information is provided by our friends at HRH/Kirklin and Company, LLC.There are three leading risks to a chapter facility during holiday breaks:
- Water Freeze
- Fire
- Vandalism and Theft
Thirty minutes of prevention, and assignment of the responsibility to check on the facility daily to a local alumnus, undergraduate or house mother/house director can save you hours and days of your time if a property loss is avoided. This list of precautions described in the checklist is not intended only for chapters in the Northern and colder climates. In December of 1998 and January of 1999, over $1.3 million dollars was paid out on freeze-related claims. A majority of these losses were chapter houses located in the Southern warmer climates. An unexpected cold spell hit the region and almost no facility took preventive measures. Weather forecasters prove everyday the unpredictable nature of climate conditions and temperatures; regardless of geographical location every chapter should follow the steps outlined in the checklist.
Should your facility suffer a property claim the first step is to avoid additional damage! Any water in the facility needs to be cleaned up, heat may need to be restored, windows may need to be boarded, or fire damage to a roof may need to be fixed. Some companies that specialize in this work and can provide immediate assistance are Service Master Claim Respond at 800-737-7665, Belfor Residential Services at 800-856-3333, and Paul Davis Restoration (find local number in your area at www.dexonline.com).
By spending a little time being proactive and addressing the need to prepare the chapter facility for colder winter months, you can focus upon celebrating the New Year...not dealing with issues of property damage, lost use of a chapter house, angry parents, and most of all angry students.