A winter storm can severely impact business as usual. Losses and damages can actually keep you from opening your doors long after the storm has passed – especially if you didn't have a snowstorm preparedness plan already in place. Find out how to prepare your business for a winter storm with these tips from ServiceMaster Restore® so you can keep operations running as smoothly as possible once it blows over.
Snowstorm Preparedness Tips for Businesses
Prepare Your Employees: Knowledge is power. Talk to your staff about the risks associated with winter storms and what they can expect at work if a snowstorm hits your area. With preparation and planning, your staff will feel more confident in the event of disaster.
Check (and Double Check) Your Insurance Coverage: Read your insurance policy to make sure your business is protected against damage from winter storms. According to the Insurance Information Institute, winter storms are the third-largest cause of catastrophic losses, causing an estimated $30.4 billion in insured losses in 2015 alone. Don't get caught without coverage. Check your insurance policy before cold weather arrives.
Make a List of Emergency Services: When disaster strikes, will you know who to call? Keep a list of local emergency services and post it somewhere easily accessible. For businesses, this list should include contact information for your insurance agent, building owner, heating contractor, plumber, local fire department and snow removal services. If the unexpected does happen, you'll be able to contact essential emergency services as soon as you need them.
Make a List of Business Contacts: In any emergency, you may need to get ahold of employees and other business contacts to communicate your plan and procedures. Have a contact list for vendors, clients and employees easily accessible so you can notify them of changes as they happen.
Arrange for Snow Removal: When the storm calms down, it won't be "business as usual" until the snow is removed. Find a company that can remove snow and ice from your driveways, parking lot, doorways and even the roof of your building to keep anyone who enters after a storm safe. Keep the phone number for your snow removal service on your emergency services contact list. Preparing for winter storms in advance can mean the difference between closing your business for a few days and closing for a lifetime. Get everything in order before the cold weather hits to ensure you'll be ready. If your business does suffer damage during a winter storm, ServiceMaster Restore® will always have your back. Our expert teams offer disaster restoration services 24/7/365 so you never have to wait to get the service you need.