Around the winter holidays like Christmas, churches can be just as popular as any mall or restaurant.
According to a 2015 poll from LifeWay Research, out of 1,000 people polled, 61% say they do attend church around Christmastime. Out of the group that does not attend church, 57% of them said they would likely attend if someone they knew invited them.
Needless to say, Christmas is one of the busiest holidays for any church. While you should value the time your churchgoers will spend with their families and community, it’s also important to understand the dangers of the season.
With Virginia’s cold season comes black ice, frozen pipes, and plenty more natural accidents waiting to happen at your church. In order to keep your community and place of worship safe, you need to know how to prepare for the inclement weather winter may bring.
Create an Emergency Plan
Before fixing anything in particular, it’s vital for your staff and volunteers to know what to do in an emergency situation. That’s where a well thought out emergency plan comes in.
A common emergency plan should answer any questions your church members might have in regard to any common emergency. It should inform on who to call in the situation, how to respond to the emergency and the location of necessities like a first aid kit or fire extinguisher.
By creating this plan with your current team, and making it easily accessible, you can ensure that your church has taken the proper steps to respond to any emergency.
Common Winter Emergencies
If you’re struggling to come up with some common emergencies for the winter months, here are a few suggestions. These are fairly common for any building during this time, but your church should especially be prepared.
- Prevent Slip and Fall Accidents: With so much rain, snow, and sleet during this time, it’s easy for slippery water and hidden ice to turn your entrances into accident minefields. Make sure to spread ice melt, salt, or sand around the outside of your church. Inside your building, lay down non-slip mats in front of the entrances, and keep someone posted to mop up any excess water.
- Keep Your Pipes From Freezing: As the temperature drops further and further, it’s only a matter of time before any unattended water pipes freeze. Not only are you unable to access any water, but worst of all, your pipes can burst and lead to devastating water damage. To prevent this accident, make sure your pipes are properly insulated, especially any exposed pipes. Also, try to keep the church at a consistent 55℉, especially when no one is inside the building.
- Inspect Your Heating System: During Virginia’s humid summers, you probably keep the heat off to save your churchgoers from heat exhaustion. While you might be ready to flip the warm air back on, you might damage the system. Winter weather forces your heating system to work overtime, and after a long period of rest, that could cause many problems. Make sure to get your HVAC system inspected before it gets too cold, or you’ll be paying for it in the long run.
- Watch Out for Snow and Ice Build-Up: While snow hasn’t been a serious issue in Richmond recently, we still get possibly devastating ice build-up. If left unchecked, ice and snow can cause serious damage to your drains, gutters, or even your church roof. Make sure to regularly check for any structural damage like cracks in the ceiling. Also, clear any debris from the roof before any forecasted precipitation.
Local Insurance For Your Local Church
When you prepare your church for the incoming cold season, you’re providing safe heaven for your churchgoers. That’s why it’s important to go the extra mile and plan for the unexpected.
Sanford Insurance insures one-third of all churches in Virginia, so we know what church owners go through. We offer comprehensive coverages, from property protection, vehicle liability coverage, and even foreign travel liability.
Contact us to get a free quote and start getting ready for the Christmas season.
Sources:
https://www.agfinancial.org/resources/article/prepare-your-church-for-winter-weather
http://ministratics.com/?p=120
https://smartchurchmanagement.com/winter-church-campus-safety/
https://lifewayresearch.com/2015/12/14/no-place-like-church-for-the-holidays/