Home for the Holidays

In my more cynical moments I refer to the "Holiday Season" as "that wonderful time of year when we leave our loved ones to be with our families." Of course some family gatherings are more difficult than others, and the temptation to "check out", chemically or otherwise can be strong.

Here is some advice from Bro. Chuck Eberly on how to survive.

Dear Brothers,
We will all soon be going home for the holidays. For some of you, "home" is a mix of warm feelings, the taste of great cooking, and joyful reunions with members of your families.
For others of you, however, "home" may be returning to a place that includes hard feelings, uncomfortable meals, and meeting people who remind you of events you would rather not recall. The following on-line essay by a colleague of mine just might be helpful to you.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fthenetwork.ws%2F%2Fdocuments%2F2009%2F2009_HomeHelidays.pdf

Preparing a chapter house for extremely cold temperatures

We saw this timely post on the HQ news feed:

Freezing Weather Warning: High Notice
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DATE: January 18, 2008
TO: Fraternal Property Management Association Contacts
FROM: Bobbi Larsen Education Consultant
SUBJECT: Preparing a chapter house for extremely cold temperatures
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With temperatures expected to be at or below freezing for much of the country this weekend, it is imperative you take the time to properly prepare your chapter house for the cold weather. It is especially important for those facilities just reopening for the new term.

During periods of extreme colder temperatures:

• Service your furnace or boiler system—boiler pipes pose a particular risk in this weather.
• Open the indoor faucets slightly to allow water to trickle as moving water does not freeze as easily.
• Leave the doors to cabinets that contain water lines open, this will allow heat to enter the area and help prevent freeze.
• Make sure that attic areas are well insulated to prevent the formation of ice dams.
• Respond to any leaks promptly to mitigate damage and prevent further harm.
• Make sure that appropriate chapter members know where the main water shut off is as well as any other water shut offs (e.g. around commodes), and that they are in good working condition.

Essential measures to minimize the risk of a freeze or water damage loss:

• Keep furnace on and thermostat set at or above 68 degrees.
• Inspect windows and repair all broken glass.
• Place additional insulation on exterior walls and windows.
• Insulate exterior doors appropriately, and assure all close and latch completely.
• Attach and secure downspouts with extension from foundation to prevent melting show from draining onto the driveway, sidewalks, or patios.

Additional safety measures during colder months

• Clear all necessary snow and ice from sidewalks, fire escapes, and walkways which may result in a slip and fall hazard
• Prohibit space heaters or ensure that your policies regarding space heaters are being followed.
  The National Fire Prevention Association reported that nearly 70% of home heating fires and deaths in 2002 were attributed to space heaters.
• Enforce a no-smoking policy or ensure that your designated smoking area is equipped with a fire-safe disposal system.

In January of 2004, a fraternity house sustained water damage from extremely frigid temperatures. Lack of heat caused the residents to vacate the building, but a space heater was left on in a fourth floor room. The resulting fire and damage from fighting the fire led to a claim of nearly $750,000. Help us ensure that this does not happen to your facility this winter.

What are the benefits of being prepared for extremely cold weather?

• Avoid the expense and the time associated with a claim and restoring the damaged area
• With a large loss, you may risk having an uninhabitable house
• Water damage, when left unaddressed can lead to mold growth

For further information or questions regarding risk prevention and educational resources or materials, please contact Bobbi Larsen, Education Consultant at 1-800-736-4327 extension 216 or blarsen@kirklin.com. If you do suffer damages, contact Steve Wilson, Manager of Claims and Loss Control at extension 209 or swilson@kirklin.com.

HRH/ Kirklin & Co., LLC
12231 Emmet Street, Suite 5
Omaha, Nebraska 68164
800-736-4327
800-328-0522

Advice for the homeward-bound

Stephen Yeargin, one of our irregular contributors, offers this advice for those of you who are home from school for the holidays:

I am reminded of the quote a year a two ago about "Christmas: The time when you leave the people you love to be with family."

I have to wonder how our newest members (and even some of the older members) handle being around family members that they have been away from for a semester or two. The holidays were always a time of stress over the winter break because life moves at a different pace away from college. While on campus, you move from one class to the next, one meet-up with friends to the next and hopefully find some time to yourself in the evening or early morning hours.

Compare that to your typical trip home, and you are likely either bored out of your mind or at loggerheads with your parents over something as simple as where your laundry goes (hint: half down the stairs, in the living room, and the like are not correct answers). So my thoughts are with our brothers around the country that are re-adjusting to the non-college lifestyle at home. It might be ironic that you would rather be in a lecture hall for two hours than spending three minutes on a lecture about why it is not OK to check Facebook at 2 a.m.

- Stephen