Are you prepared to protect your business during winter? Winter brings with it some fun holidays and lots of natural beauty. It can also bring with it disaster. Sudden freezes, snow, and sleet can make it difficult to keep your business running, especially if you aren’t prepared. Power outages can happen at any time, along with the possibility of property damage, employee injuries, and vehicle accidents. Have a plan in place to prevent these things from happening and keep your business running optimally during the winter months.
Here is what you should consider to protect your business in winter.
Avoid Ice Accumulation
Even if your business is located in the southern United States, the threat of freezing still exists. Around your business, frozen roads and walkways become a hazard. To prevent injuries and the possibility of ensuing lawsuits, have a plan in place to prevent ice. Properly remove ice and snow, if any, from walkways, stairs, and driveways and adequately salt the areas regularly. If you have several entrances to your building, limit them to two for safety. If necessary, tape off trouble areas to avoid foot traffic, and mop entrances to avoid water accumulation.
Protect from Frozen Pipes
One of the most common problems with homes and businesses during winter is the threat of frozen pipes. When the water in pipes freezes it creates enough pressure sometimes that it causes the pipes to burst. When the temperature rises above freezing, it can result in flooding and water damage to your building. To prevent pipes from freezing begin by properly sealing or insulating pipes and vents. Keep the temperature of your building moderated, even if you plan on shutting down for a few days due to weather. In some cases, it may be necessary to shut off the water completely to avoid frozen pipes.
Update Insurance Policies
Winter brings with it the increased threat of damage to your building or property. While you may have insurance policies in place to protect your business throughout the year, it is best to review your coverage to make sure you are prepared. If necessary, you may need to update your policies to cover for winter-related contingencies. Make sure you are covered for property damage, injury claims, and in case your business must shut down due to weather.
Create a Disaster Recovery Plan
Disaster can strike at any time, and winter is no exception. Without a proper disaster plan in place, it can be devastating to your business. To protect your business and your employees, create a comprehensive disaster recovery plan. This critical piece will ensure you reduce downtime and get your business back up and running quickly. Some of the most important things to include in such a plan are:
- Data backup for sensitive information related to your business
- Clear instructions and duties for everyone in the business
- A communication plan
- Generator implementation in case of power outage
- Fuel preparation to ensure you have fuel in place for vehicles and generators
- Batteries
The winter can be beautiful, but is also hold the potential for disaster to your business. Prepare for the worst and protect your business from losing valuable time and assets. RMI Emergency Services understands disaster and can help you recover quickly. In the unfortunate instance that your business is damaged by a winter disaster, like flooding or property damage, call us to get it cleaned up and back to normal fast. Our business is to get your business back on its feet.
