Have you done a risk management walk-thru of your Smokies cabin?

[Ben Hays]

Hello Smokies investors! I wanted to introduce myself and my company, Handy Central, to everyone. We specialize in "all things repairs and maintenance" for STR investors within a 30-mile radius of Gatlinburg.

When we perform a service call for a repair item, it is often shocking how many risk management items that we note on the way in and out. Guest safety is the most important, yet overlooked, priority for investors. We have been in the Smokies a long time, and many guest accidents, some of them life threatening over the years, could have been avoided with an annual risk management walk-thru:

- Loose or rotting steps

- Nails poking up through deck boards

- Stinging insect hives or infestations

- Ceiling fans that are barely hanging on

- Loose deck, stair, and landing railings

- And oh, about a hundred other things!

This May is slower than typical in the Smokies. Take advantage of it and have your maintenance person or property manager go and check things out at your property.  It could prevent a host of problems this summer.