Now is a good time to prepare for the winter months ahead. Use these five tips to get started.
- Check your carbon monoxide & smoke detectors
If you haven’t already done so when changing your clocks back an hour, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that you change the batteries in the smoke
alarms at least once a year. You can refer to their flyer about this. Ensure that your maintenance technician is checking that these alarm systems are working properly. - Prepare a winter driving emergency kit
Slick roads and less daylight can increase accidents, so preparing an emergency kit for city vehicles is ideal just in case something happens. Accounting for things other than just the car
and its maintenance can be helpful in the off chance that your employee is stranded inside of the car. - Check for lighting issues
The dark weather can lead to sight issues, which can cause more slips, trips and falls. Be sure to have well-lit pathways and keep them clear of snow and debris. Be especially diligent in clearing wet
leaves in parking lots and pathways, as these are slick and can easily lead to slips and falls. City maintenance staff should be on top these items to prevent these common accidents from happening. - Take more precautions when driving
With dark and icy roads, be aware of driving conditions. It is best to leave earlier for the destination. Take more time to stop at stop signs – especially when it may be slick out. Have
the technician servicing the vehicle check the headlights to ensure that they are aiming correctly to see. It is a good idea to have all driving staff know where chains are located and how to put them on the vehicle, just in case. - Prepare your work environment
Getting the building winter-ready means servicing your HVAC system (if you have one) and replacing the filters. Call a certified specialist to do this if you do not have a maintenance person available.
Cleaning out gutters helps prevent potential flooding and other issues that may arise.