The weather can be unpredictable, with severe weather happening any day and anytime. Avoid the issues severe weather can bring and add thunderstorm preparations to your company disaster plan.
A company disaster plan is part of a business continuity plan. A business continuity plan is the process set in place to make sure business can go back to normal in the event of a business emergency. The company disaster plan outlines thunderstorm safety and other severe weather safety tips. Creating a good business continuity plan can keep employees and your business safe in the event of any disruptions to your company.
Taking a few extra precautions ahead of a storm can make all the difference when it comes to the future of your business. Use this quick checklist to make your own business emergency plan.
Get your employees involved
Working as a team and making sure everyone is on the same page is a good way to avoid any confusion and mistakes. Eliminating any confusion should be one of your priorities when implementing a company disaster preparedness plan, so ensure everyone knows their roles in the event of an emergency. For example, conduct safety drills and make sure everyone knows where the fire extinguisher is. Working as a team can make things go smoothly and could prevent major issues or disruptions to your company after the storm passes.
There won’t be a lot of time to make sure everyone knows what to do when the storm hits. Prepare by getting your team involved in the company disaster plan process.
Check your supplies
It’s something so simple, yet overlooked. Power outages are common during and after a storm. No electricity can mean safety systems such as fire, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors may fail. Not having enough flashlights, first aid kits, generators and more could be a mistake big enough to truly affect your safety. Create a simple thunderstorm kit to help you save time and money in the event of any power outages or injuries. Consider these items for your thunderstorm safety kit:
- Water
- Food
- Battery-operated flashlight
- Two-way radio
- Extra batteries for your flashlights
- Fully charged portable charger for cell phones
- Portable generators
It’s better to be over prepared than underprepared to avoid any physical safety risks.
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Check the integrity of your building’s structure
The last thing you need is your roof caving in or your windows leaking from too much rainwater or high winds. Make sure your building’s structural integrity is up-to-date and able to withstand any severe weather that may come your way. Evaluating your building’s structure should be left to professionals, but there are ways you can find out for yourself:
- Ensure all windows and doors are sealed
- Inspect gutters and downspouts
- Secure small items that have the possibility to be moved or become airborne from high winds such as outdoor furniture, signage and garbage cans
- Trim trees and branches to prevent any additional property damage from falling limbs
- Shelter and protect vehicles from high winds or hail
Utilize your insurance agency’s Risk Management Consulting team
You can prepare as much as possible, but things can still get overlooked. Call in the professionals to ensure your business continuity plan is prepared for a severe storm. Grange Insurance’s Risk Management Consulting team offers the experience, skill and expertise to give third-party advice on the state of your company disaster plan. Contact the Risk Management team today to learn more.
Ask your insurance agent about your business insurance policy
While preparing for a storm is a great addition to your company disaster plan, it’s just as important to make sure you have the right business coverage to help protect against any property damage or employee injury. Talk to your local independent Grange agent today.
Coverages described herein may not be available in all states. Please contact one of our local independent agents for complete details on coverages and discounts. If the policy coverage descriptions herein conflict with the language in the policy, the language in the policy applies. The material provided above is for informational, educational and/or suggestion purposes only, and does not imply coverage. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO QUOTE ANY INDIVIDUAL PREMIUM RATE FOR THE INSURANCE HEREIN ADVERTISED. Applicable policies may be underwritten by Grange Insurance Company, Trustgard Insurance Company, Grange Indemnity Insurance Company, Grange Insurance Company of Michigan* and Grange Property & Casualty Insurance Company*, Integrity Insurance Company*, Integrity Property & Casualty Insurance Company*, Integrity Select Insurance Company*. *Not licensed in Pennsylvania
References
Nobroker Hood
Ready.gov
Investopedia