Preparing Your Corvallis, Oregon, Business for Power Outages
According to Agility Recovery and FEMA, approximately 70% of businesses will experience a power outage within the next year. These interruptions can cause significant disruptions to your operations and affect your profitability, especially if the outage is prolonged. Fortunately, you can take proactive measures to minimize the impact on your business. The experts at ServiceMaster Restore® have provided some essential steps to help you prepare your Corvallis facility for potential power outages.
How to Prepare for a Power Outage
Power outages can occur for various reasons, from severe weather to transmission line issues. As one of the most common risks businesses face, knowing how to prepare can significantly reduce potential losses when outages occur. Here are some practical steps to ready your facility:
Build an Emergency Kit In the event of a power outage, certain supplies are essential: a first aid kit, a tool kit, blankets, flashlights with extra batteries, a list of emergency contacts, and a floor plan of your facility showing emergency exits and shutoff points for gas, water, and electricity. Use our emergency preparedness kit checklist for more details on necessary supplies.
Create a Business Continuity Plan A continuity plan ensures that essential operations can continue during and after a power outage. This plan should outline backup procedures, key tasks, and the roles and responsibilities of your staff.
Train Your Employees Make sure everyone in your office knows the correct procedures during a power outage. Regular practice drills can reinforce these protocols, giving your team confidence to respond effectively when needed.
Use Power Surge Protectors When power is restored, surges can damage sensitive equipment. Install surge protectors to shield critical electronics from damage. If investing in protectors is challenging, ensure all equipment is switched off during the outage.
Install Fire and Smoke Detectors Electrical surges can cause equipment fires when power returns. Fire detectors and sprinkler systems provide essential protection against such fires. Install detectors on every floor to safeguard your property.
Invest in a Backup Generator A generator keeps operations running smoothly during outages. Ensure your team knows how to use it and develop a maintenance and fueling plan to keep it ready year-round.
Sign Up for Outage Alerts Most utility companies provide emergency alert services to inform you of outages. Sign up for text updates to stay informed about restoration timelines.
What to Do If a Power Outage Occurs
If a power outage does occur, staying calm is key. Begin by assessing your facility and the external conditions. Then, check for updates from your power provider, either online or through text alerts. Based on these assessments, you’ll need to decide on the best course of action:
If the outage is brief, use a generator to maintain business continuity.
If the outage is expected to last, assess whether your generator can sustain operations. If not, consider temporarily closing until power is restored.
If the outage is weather-related, you may need to stay inside for extended periods. Keep emergency supplies accessible to ensure the safety and comfort of employees and customers.
For help building your power outage plan, including checklists for testing staff readiness and facility preparedness, consult FEMA’s power outage toolkit for businesses. With the right preparation, you can protect your Corvallis business and maintain continuity during power disruptions.
If your property has been impacted by severe weather, from flooding to wind damage, don’t wait to get help. Call ServiceMaster Restoration & Cleaning Services at 541-738-4624 for fast, professional assistance. Our experienced team is available 24/7 to assess the damage and create a tailored restoration plan to protect your property and prevent further issues. We understand the urgency and are here to help you restore your space to safety as quickly as possible.
