Holiday season is here and once again you want to keep your property safe and secure. In the spring, you need to watch out for an oversized cotton-tailed mammal leaving eggs on the premises. This time of year, you need to keep your eyes on the skies. Here are a few precautions to take so that you can sleep snug in your bed on December 24.

1. Is Your Property Ready
for Who’s Coming to Town?
Here are a few precautions to keep your property
safe and secure during the holidays.
Watch out for a heavyset man with a herd of large ruminants
who may park his vehicle on your roof!

2. Roof:
The condition of your roof is a vital part of the
protection of your property. In winter, snow and ice
can compromise the integrity of your roof.
A roof designed to carry a snow load of 20 lbs. per horizontal
sq. ft. will support nearly 12 inches of wet, heavy snow.
Make sure your roof load can also handle the weight of an
obese individual, 8 reindeer*, and a baggage-laden sleigh.
* Large male reindeer can weigh as much as 700 lbs.

3. Roofs should be inspected regularly as part of a preventive
maintenance program.
In late December, roofs should be inspected for deer
droppings and damage caused by the skids of a sleigh.

4. Chimney:
Inspect chimneys annually for obstructions or
combustible deposits.
Chimneys are designed to carry smoke, heat
and other gases from a building.
Chimneys should never be used as a means of
entrance or egress.

5. Insurance:
When purchasing insurance for your
property, determine the most appropriate
coverage for likely risks.
Liability insurance covers property damage or bodily injury due
to the property owner’s negligence or inappropriate action.
What if a reindeer gets sick from eating the vegetation
on a green roof?

6. Property insurance covers accidents that are not specifically
covered by standard exclusions.
What about a fire caused by a jolly old elf drinking too much
eggnog and dropping his pipe?

7. Security:
Unanticipated or unwanted visitors to your
property compromise the safety of those who live
and work there.
Maintain a list of expected visitors and regular service
personnel. Ask unexpected visitors for identification.
Possible visitors for December 24: Santa Claus (aka: Father
Christmas, St. Nicholas, Kris Kringle); Dasher; Dancer;
Prancer; Vixen; Comet; Cupid; Donner; Blitzen; Rudolph.

8. Ensure that security systems are appropriate for your
property and are maintained regularly.
Follow the NORAD SantaTracker during the night of
December 24th for the most up-to-date information on
when Santa might arrive on your property.

9. Additional Information:
More information on maintenance, security and
insurance is available in the IREM course
Managing the Physical Asset (MNT402).
• How to prevent or remove deer from your property
• The North Pole’s Turbo Supply Chain
• Santa Physics

10. Happy Holidays!
From the staff at IREM Headquarters
Have a safe and secure holiday season!