8 ESSENTIAL TIPS TO PREPARE YOUR BUSINESS FOR A DISASTER
DEVELOP AN EMERGENCY PLAN
Every business should have a comprehensive emergency plan in place that outlines how employees should respond and evacuate if there is a disaster or other emergency situation. Make sure all your staff understand the plan, and regularly review and update the procedure as needed.
CREATE A DIGITAL BACKUP
Ensure that all important documents, accounting information, customer data, etc. have digital copies in case they are damaged or destroyed in a disaster. This includes any files stored on computers or servers as well as physical documents, such as contracts and invoices. It’s also important to store these backups in multiple locations—like offsite cloud storage—so they won’t be destroyed if the main office is affected by a disaster.
REVIEW YOUR INSURANCE POLICIES
Business insurance can help alleviate financial losses that occur due to natural disaster damages. It is important to make sure you have adequate coverage for property damage from fires and floods as well as liability coverage in case of injury or death caused by the disaster. Review your policy periodically to make sure it provides enough protection for your assets and operations.
INSPECT UTILITIES & EQUIPMENT
Have all utilities and equipment (HVAC, generators, plumbing, etc.) inspected regularly to ensure they are working properly and not prone to failure during extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rain, high winds or hard freezes. Regular inspections should encompass checking for signs of wear and tear, corrosion or any potential weaknesses that may compromise the functionality. Ensure equipment that is susceptible to high winds is properly secured and anchored down and pipes are winterized to prevent freezing during the winter months.
SECURE PROPERTY & VALUABLES
Take extra measures to protect valuable items from severe weather, both inside the building and around the perimeter of the property. Ensure documents are stored in a fire-resistant container at least 6 inches off the ground to prevent water and fire damage. Make sure certain important equipment is stored safely, and if hurricane-force storms are predicted, board up windows and place sandbags at entrances to prevent water from entering. Consider investing in surge protectors for sensitive electronics like computers and CCTV systems, which can be damaged due to power surges caused by lightning strikes or fires near power lines outside.
STOCK UP ON SUPPLIES
Keep essential supplies on hand, such as first aid kits, flashlights, batteries, bottled water and non-perishable food items so that employees have access to these items if needed during an emergency situation. This will help keep everyone safe until first responders arrive. Additionally, make sure there is enough fuel for backup generators should the power go out due to volatile weather conditions caused by hurricanes or tornadoes.
MONITOR LOCAL WEATHER CONDITIONS
Pay attention to local weather conditions by listening for warnings issued by The National Weather Service about impending storms, floods and fires. Staying up to date enables you to take action ahead of any disasters.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to best position yourself against potential damages from disasters. Don’t wait until it’s too late; start preparing your business today.
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