difficult to pull from the branches. Water the tree every day, use flame-resistant ornaments and décor and keep away fr
Holiday Hazards 5 Holiday Church Safety Reminders
Protecting Our Churches
The holidays are an exciting and busy time. For churches, this time of year means holiday décor, special services and increased attendance. But with each of those comes some safety concerns. Below is a list of 5 safety reminders to ensure your holiday celebrations go on without a hitch. 1. Christmas Trees Natural trees are beautiful but they also present a fire hazard. For this reason, opt for an artificial, fire-resistant tree when possible. However, if you do have a real tree be sure to select a fresh tree with a sticky trunk and needles that are difficult to pull from the branches. Water the tree every day, use flame-resistant ornaments and décor and keep away from furnaces, heaters, vents and exits. 2. Parking Lots Over time, parking lots can take a beating. Potholes may begin showing up and curbs start to fall apart. Remember to inspect your parking lot before your days of increased attendance and correct any potentially hazardous conditions. Remove all debris and slippery material like mud and sand. Also, be sure to mark curbs in a contrasting color. If you live in a cold climate, make arrangements to have snow removed from your parking lot in the event of a storm. 3. Candles and Lights One of the best parts of holiday décor is the lights. However, there are some dangers associated with them. Consider using battery-powered candles in place of flame candles and if using flame candles place them in sturdy, noncombustible holders. Never leave candles unattended and make sure all are put out before leaving the building. If you’re using strands of lights be sure to inspect them for cracks and exposed wires. Only use lights that are UL (Underwriter’s Laboratories) listed and do not leave them on overnight. 4. Sidewalks Falls are common and costly. Like parking lots, sidewalks should be regularly inspected and poor conditions corrected. Remove all gravel, rocks and any obstacles from the path of travel. If you live in a cold climate, make sure to keep sidewalks free of snow and ice. Apply de-icing products to walkways and watch for icy spots that arise from water runoff and re-freezing. 5. Entrances and Exits These high traffic areas deserve special attention, especially during times of increased attendance. Make sure the door threshold is flush with the floor and have an umbrella stand near the entrance to keep water from dripping onto the floor. Be sure you have a floor mat or grate system to control any snow, ice or mud that gets tracked in. Don’t forget to have all exits properly marked and remove any obstacles from the pathway to emergency exits.
Any questions about the above material, please feel free to contact Phil Hinton at 601-956-5810. “The information contained in this report was obtained from sources which to the best of the writer’s knowledge are authentic and reliable. Arthur J. Gallagher makes no guarantee or results, and assumes no liability in connection with either the information herein contained, or the safety suggestions herein made. Moreover, it can not be assumed that every acceptable safety procedure is contained herein, or that abnormal or unusual circumstances may not warrant or require further or additional procedures.”
