Winter can be a challenging time for any community. In suburban Maryland, snow and ice storms are common winter occurrences. Such harsh weather can wreak havoc on communities. That is why it is important to adopt winter weather rules. Yet, communicating these rules is just as important as creating them.
Below, we discuss winter community rules and how to communicate them effectively.
Common winter rules for communities
Only you know what winter rules will work best for your community. However, some winter rules are fairly common. These rules address mostly safety concerns. Some of the most common winter rules for communities are listed below.
- Staying away from pools and pool houses. Part of the winterization of your community will likely involve draining and securing any communal pools and pool houses. You will likely want residents to stay away from these spaces until they are opened again in the spring.
- Restrictions on sledding. Kids, and adults, love to sled. But they must do so in a safe area. You will likely want to create rules governing where sledding can take place in your community. This may mean restricting sledding on the street or down a hill that leads into a street.
- Pond or lake safety rules. If your community has a pond or lake, you will need to create rules around its use during the winter. Most people have a hard time judging ice thickness, which can lead to an unsafe situation. Restricting access to ponds and lakes in the winter is essential for keeping people safe.
- Snow and ice removal requirements. Residents will need to help keep snow and ice from building up in the community. This will likely mean that you require homeowners to remove snow from their sidewalks and driveways.
Ways to effectively communicate your winter rules
The first step in creating a safe community during winter is to determine your winter rules. The second step is communicating those rules effectively. It can be hard to ensure all residents receive the rules promptly, especially if you run a large community.
Follow these tips to get the winter rules out to your community. You may want to employ all three to ensure the message gets out.
- Utilize email: Email is your friend when it comes to communication. It provides an extremely convenient and time-efficient way of communicating with your entire community. Unfortunately, emails from community groups are notorious for being sent to the spam folder. And there is no way to ensure the homeowners in your community have actually opened or read the email.
- Update your website: Put the winter rules in a conspicuous place on your website. This method ensures the rules are seen anytime someone visits the site.
- Send out a mailer: Mailers may seem a bit old-fashioned, but they are a good way of ensuring your homeowners receive important information. Put the mailer in mailboxes or under doors. This way you know that everyone in your community should know the winter rules.
Need some more help effectively communicating with your community this winter? Contact D.H. Bader today. We offer the most comprehensive, efficient, and effective community management services in the suburban Maryland area.