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Risk Alerts

Portable toilets, empty buildings pose risk

Many school districts use portable toilets on their athletic fields to serve students and visitors during sports activities. PACE warns districts that portable toilets contain chemicals that can be highly flammable, which makes them attractive arson targets.

Districts often place portable toilets next to a building so the toilets can be secured to prevent tip-over. But two portable-toilet arson fires last spring caused substantial damage because toilets were next to buildings.

The toilets should be placed a safe distance from buildings and secured to something away from the building like a metal fence.
As tightening budgets force tough choices, many districts are consolidating operations, leaving buildings vacant. Doing so can significantly change the district’s needs regarding property and casualty coverage. Failure to update coverage may create extra expense. 

Your insurance agent can re-evaluate the district’s coverage needs for a building that is not in use or for which there has been a change in how the building is used. A vacant building has greater exposure to vandalism but lower exposure to student injury. 

If you change the occupancy status of any covered structure, please notify your insurance agent immediately. Your agent can recommend the best coverage options for your new situation.