The start of the school year is right around the corner. Children and their families will be coming and going more often from the community. It’s important to prepare your community to prevent accidents, keep children and their families safe, and protect your business.
Community and Back-to-School Safety Prep
Maintenance Sidewalks and Roads – Many children in the community may need to walk to and from the bus stop. To reduce tripping hazards, fill and repair cracks or potholes in your community’s roads and sidewalks.
Repair Road and Safety Signage – Since more kids will be walking on the property, install or repair stop signs and pedestrian crossing signs where needed. If your community has a bus stop, adding a sign to let drivers know will add an extra level of safety. It’s important to enforce community speed limits and road signs. Offenders should be warned in writing.
Install and Update Lighting – As we move into fall and closer to the time change, daylight hours will reduce. This means that kids could be walking in the dark before or after school. Adding and checking your current lights will improve visibility for drivers and pedestrians and increase safety. Community managers being held liable for crimes of others is a growing legal trend. If there is crime affecting tenant safety, notify all tenants in writing so they can be made aware of it.
Send Reminders – Post flyers or send an email to residents reminding them that kids will soon be going back to school and it’s important to follow traffic safety signs, look out for children, and drive slowly through the community.
Community Event Ideas
Back-to-School Pool Party – It’s important to get tenants involved in the community and increase resident retention. Throwing a back-to-school bash is a great way to engage with families. Make sure to prepare for the party by sending out email invites to tenants and purchasing enough food and drinks for those who attend.
School Supplies Drive – Hosting a back-to-school supply drive builds a positive community image and gives residents a way to give back to their community. Before hosting the drive, get a supply list from the local schools and send an email announcing the supply drive to tenants. In the email, include the dates of the drive and top needed school supplies.
It’s essential to get your manufactured home community ready for the school year with back-to-school safety prep. It’s also a great time to engage with tenants and create a welcoming community. Get more tips for managing your manufactured home community on our resources page here and learn more in our blog here.