Day 1 of National Preparedness Month

9/1/2020 (Permalink)

Prepare your commercial building for storms!

Happy September! Did you know that September is National Preparedness Month?! While Michigan storms may not be quite as bad as those impacted by hurricanes, the storms we do get can still cause severe damage! The last thing anybody wants to deal with is property damage, especially when you’re a business owner. Keep reading to find out how to prepare your commercial business for future storms! 

One of the most important ways to be prepared for a storm is to have a response plan set in place. According to ready.gov, the following points are extremely important to include in your response plan.

• Two-way communication system for reaching employees/customers and emergency services
• Map of multiple evacuation routes
• A designated location for employees to meet inside your facility or at a nearby shelter
• Checklists of tasks for people to complete before, during and after a storm

After a plan is created,  do a few trial runs to make sure it works, and fix any tweaks if needed! 

Another important part of preparing your commercial building for a storm is to ensure the structure and the backup equipment are properly maintained. Getting the roof inspected once a year, and making sure the weatherstripping calk is in place may sound simple, but it makes a huge difference in keeping your employees and business safe during a storm. It is also highly important to make sure your equipment is in working condition. According to bobbitt.com,  “Having the right equipment in place to keep your facility running during a storm is often  overlooked. Maintenance and placement of this equipment must be well thought out. In your plan, specify who, when, where and how emergency equipment will be maintained” 

Lastly, in order to prepare your commercial building for a storm, you need to protect the business’s assets and valuables. Another insightful quote from bobbitt.com states this: “Machinery, product inventory, supplies and technology systems are a few of your business assets that may be at risk. Ask yourself these questions to help prevent a loss of resources:

            -Where are your valuable business assets located in the building?

-Are these resources physically protected? How -are they protected?

-What resources are crucial for business operation?

-Are these assets owned and insured?

-What assets are leased and what is the liability if they are damaged?

We know this list may seem daunting, but it’s better to be over prepared than not prepared at all! We care about you and your business, and will be here for all your emergency needs! We’re just a phone call away!

 616-647-4300