The holiday season, particularly the week of Christmas, is always a time of packing the pews. While more visitors and out-of-town guests provide extra fellowship and church life activity, the spike in auto and foot traffic may bring in added risk. Church pastors, administrators, and members alike should be mindful and vigilant to safeguard people and church property. In addition to your church’s formal safety and security guidelines, the following checklist highlights 10 common sense “checks” and reminders:

• Slow down, pay attention, exercise caution.

• Be extra careful in parking lots, as they will be fuller with newcomers who are not familiar with the regular flow in and out of church parking areas. WATCH FOR CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY!

• Perform routine walk-throughs following special events and worship services to ensure that no one is in the facility that should not be.

• Check all doors and windows. Close and lock them when the building is closed.

• Check that all faucets are turned off and no water is running in kitchens, bathrooms, and utility rooms.

• Check all fans and turn them off, unless it is usual to keep them running.

• Check for obstructions to entrance ways and inside furnace/boiler rooms. Special events may require some objects to be moved or stowed out of their usual places. Make sure airflow is not impeded and all walkways are open and passable.

• Gather money/collections promptly following the offertory. Be sure that funds are fully attended and immediately locked safely on church property or securely deposited in the bank dropbox.

• Remind members to keep an eye on their church, just as they would keep an eye on their own homes.

• If someone sees something out of the ordinary, say something to the church pastor immediately.

The above checklist is NOT all-inclusive. Individual church circumstances and/or activities may require additional safety or security measures. ‘Tis a good season to contact YOUR TRUSTED CHOICE INDEPENDENT INSURANCE AGENT AT THE RICHEY-BARRETT COMPANY (Phone: 440-835-4800) to discuss your insurance concerns.