Are you worried about preparing your small business for a winter storm? Don’t be.
You can do several things to ensure you fully prepare your business in case of a power outage or another winter emergency. Here are some useful tips for preparing your small business for extreme winter weather.
Stock Your Disaster Supply Kit
While preparing your small business for a winter storm, stocking a disaster supply kit is a must. Flashlights, rock salt, and snow shovels are some helpful items to include in your kit. You can use rock salt to melt ice and snow, making it easier to clear walkways and driveways. Snow shovels are a necessity for clearing heavy snowfall.
Flashlights are one of the most essential items to have in a disaster supply kit. After all, you need a reliable light to see everything around you if the power goes out. The Fenix PD36R is a great option because it’s bright, durable, and has a long runtime.
Check Your Business Insurance Coverage
As a business owner, ensuring your insurance policy covers winter storm damage is best. Review your policy and update it if necessary. You may also want to purchase additional coverage specifically for winter storms. Many policies exclude coverage for natural disasters, so you will need to purchase additional coverage if you want to be protected.
Also, ensure you know how to file a business insurance claim for winter storm damage. This will help you get your business back up and running as quickly as possible. Filing a claim can be complicated, so it’s good to familiarize yourself with the steps involved.
Protect Your Physical Business Location
While most businesses are operated primarily or even exclusively online, many physical locations still need protection from winter weather. Whether you own a brick-and-mortar store, an office, or any other type of physical business location, it’s important to ensure your property is safe.
There are a few tasks you can do to protect your business. For instance, clear gutters and downspouts of debris so they can handle melting snow and ice. Trim trees and shrubs around your property to prevent damage from falling branches. And, if possible, invest in a backup generator to keep your store running during a power outage.
Have an Emergency Communication Plan
As a small business owner, you know winter weather can seriously threaten your operations. Extreme weather can disrupt power, close roads, and damage your property. That’s why it’s so important to have an emergency communication plan.
Your emergency communication plan should include contact information for your heating contractor, plumber, local fire department, insurance agent, and building owner. It should also include instructions for how your employees can reach you in an emergency.
Sharing your emergency communication plan with your employees is just as important as having one. They need to know whom to contact and what to do if the power goes out or the roads are closed. Sharing your plan with your team ensures everyone is on the same page and knows what to do in an emergency.
Have a Contingency Plan
It’s good to have a contingency plan in case of a winter storm. For instance, plan to set up a temporary shop in another location if your store is damaged or inaccessible.
You can also let employees work from home if possible, so they can continue to be productive. Also, keep in touch with your customers and let them know when you’ll be back up and running.
A winter storm can be a tremendous pain for small business owners, but proper preparation can help you weather the storm and get back to business as usual with minimal disruption. By following these simple tips, you can rest assured your small business is ready for whatever old man winter throws your way.
