During the winter months, the risk of slipping and falling outdoors is higher than in the warmer months. Between the snow and ice and the harsh winter winds blowing debris, there are increased dangers for anyone walking outside. If a renter or their guest falls on your property, you will be financially liable for any injuries. So it is really important to mitigate these risks and reduce the chance of falls. Here are some tips to help reduce the risk on your property.

 

Check All Your Railings

 

Have your handyman and property manager go to your buildings and check all the railings on staircases and decks. Make sure that all of the railings are stable, can hold a lot of weight, and can be easily gripped even when wet. Also look for areas that could benefit from having a railing installed like tight corners or anywhere with a steep drop-off. 

 

Clear Debris Daily

 

Make sure to assign someone to take a walk around your property every day to check for debris. Any debris, whether it is fallen tree branches or garbage, especially debris blocking walkways, remove immediately. It is also a good idea to have a company on contract that can come anytime there is heavy debris that needs to be moved with special equipment. 

 

Clean Walkways

 

After it snows, you will definitely need to shovel all walkways. Likewise, after any ice storms, you’ll need to scatter ice melt on walkways. Also, cold weather can be very hard on concrete by causing cracking, crumbling, and holes. So routinely check your walkways for damage because this damage can be a tripping hazard. If you find any concrete damage, have it fixed immediately or section off the area, so people cannot walk there.

 

These few tips will keep your residents and their guests safe, as well as reduce your risk of costly property liability. For more tips on how to reduce liability at your rentals, contact Occupancy Solutions. We can advise you on all the ways to keep your residents safe no matter the season.