Summer Chapter House Safety Tips

Ah – summer! You’re leaving campus and heading for that internship across state. But, if you are a chapter officer and your chapter has a house, the work of maintaining its security doesn’t end when you close the door to the academic year. For most chapters, your house manager will work closely with the house director and the chapter’s housing corporation to ensure your chapter house is secured for the summer. The work of ensuring a safe chapter house also starts with each individual member.

Most insurance claims during the summer are related to theft, fire and water damage. Most are preventable! Individuals moving out of the house for the summer should:

· Remove ALL trash and garbage, carpet remnants, broken furniture, etc. from the chapter house and grounds. 

· Store or remove all of their outside items.

· Clean their rooms and assist in cleaning common areas.

· Clean, unplug and leave the doors open on refrigerators/freezers.

· Unplug any unused electronics or appliances.

· Not leave food in rooms or common areas.

Your chapter house might have either members or renters living in over the summer. So, make sure to take all personal possessions with you when you leave. Consult your chapter’s house director for any rules pertaining to storage of personal possessions over the summer in the facility, but realize you may need to plan to make alternate storage arrangements.

What suggestions do you have or what did you need to do as you vacated the chapter house for the summer?