Have a Weather Plan Before the Day
The safest events are the ones where the weather has already been thought through. Before you set up, check the forecast for the whole period you will be outdoors, and check it again on the day, because conditions can move a long way from the early outlook.
Decide in advance what you will do as conditions worsen, and at what point. A simple plan might run:
- fully secure and weight every leg as standard
- partially open the sidewalls to cut wind load if gusts build
- take the shelter down and store it if conditions move beyond safe use
Make one person responsible for watching the forecast and the structure during the event, with the authority to act on the plan. Run a quick set of checks before you open: every leg weighted or anchored, the canopy fully tensioned, gutters fitted if you have chained units together, and any loose items such as banners or flags secured, since these catch the wind like sails.
Treat the forecast as a starting point and give yourself a margin above it, so a sudden change does not catch you out.
Finally, photograph the finished, anchored setup. A dated record showing weights and fixings on every leg is useful evidence for insurers and for any inspection, and takes seconds to capture.
