All businesses should have a disaster preparedness plan
If your business does not currently have a disaster plan in place here are some suggestions your may want to consider:
- Keep phone lists of your key employees and customers with you, and provide copies to key staff members.
- If you have a voice mail system at your office, designate one remote number on which you can record messages for employees. Provide the number to all employees.
- Arrange for programmable call forwarding for your main business line(s). Then, if you can't get to the office, you can call in and reprogram the phones to ring elsewhere.
- Install emergency lights that turn on when the power goes out. They are inexpensive and widely available at building supply retailers.
- Use UL-listed surge protectors and battery backup systems. They will add protection for sensitive equipment and help prevent a computer crash if the power goes out.
- Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio with a tone alert feature. Keep it on and when the signal sounds, listen for information about severe weather and protective actions to take.
- Stock a minimum supply of the goods, materials and equipment you would need for business continuity.
- Keep emergency supplies handy, including: Flashlights with extra batteries, First aid kit, Tools, Food and water for employees and customers to use during the time when you may be asked to shelter in place.