Safer together bulletin #1

Published January 08, 2026

Welcome to the first edition of our quarterly bulletin, Safer Together! Our Risk Management Program wants to bring you practical information that you and your members can use to indeed be safer together.

Feel free to take the information from this bulletin and include it in your co-op newsletter, print and share, or include it in a general meeting.

Let’s work together to protect what matters most — your homes and your members.

Do you manage a co-op and have a story you’d be willing to share?

Co-operation Among Co-operatives – we do better together. We want to hear from our members so that we can share experiences with each other. If you’ve got tips on how you’ve kept your co-op safe, cautionary tales to avoid something going wrong or want to share your experience participating in our risk management program, then we want to hear from you.

As it turns colder and darker, we’re more at risk for fires in our co-op. During the holidays, candles are a leading cause of fires. In fact, about eight Canadians die each year from candle fires.

Let’s gather and celebrate while keeping everyone safe. Switching to twinkle lights and battery candles is the safest choice. Share these candle safety tips and enjoy a cozy atmosphere during the holidays!

Host a seasonal safety walk-through with volunteers to identify and resolve hazards early! Entice your volunteers with some hot chocolate or cider; remember that we are safer working together.

Slips, trips, and falls are a main cause of claims against the liability portion of your commercial insurance policy. Ice and snow, wet entryways and uneven sidewalks all increase the risk — especially for elderly members and guests.

Risk Reduction Tips:

• Remove snow and ice from walkways and steps
• Use an ice melter for traction
• Install anti-slip mats and weather-appropriate rugs at all entrances
• Assign a safety monitor to check for loose tiles, uneven paving, or icy steps weekly

Risk management includes everyone in your co-op — staff, board directors, and all of your members. You can help identify potential risks early so the co-op can reduce or eliminate them.

But your co-op is not alone. Our Risk Management Program is designed to help your co-op reduce its risk. We have a proven history of helping make co-ops of all sizes across Canada more secure. Use the program to gain peace of mind, knowing your co-op and members are well-protected.

To find out more, click here.