In Case of a Business Emergency

6/7/2022 (Permalink)

Make a reliable emergency response plan.

Create safety plans for your business. 

Every business should also have a business continuity plan that outlines what you will do and who you can call on to help keep your business running in the event of a disaster.

Create a survival kit.

Keep your desk stocked with these items.

* One gallon of water: Keep enough water in your work kit to last you at least 24 hours.

* Non-perishable food: Pack some granola bars in your emergency kit that will last until you can get home to your family.

* Flashlights: Stow a small flashlight at your workplace in case of a power outage.

* Batteries: Purchase extra batteries and keep them in your desk.

* Toilet paper: Ensure the office supply cupboard has the essentials like toilet paper and hand sanitizer.

* First-Aid kit: Keep a large First-Aid kit on hand at the office, and supply each employee with small, personal-sized emergency kits for their supply kit.

* Walking shoes: Keep an old pair of walking shoes at your desk in case you need to walk home from work.

Ensure that you have enough insurance coverage.

Most business owners don’t have interruption insurance, which offers to reimburse all or part of the income a business might have generated without an interruption. Cost may be a factor in why entrepreneurs pass on such coverage: Policy prices range from $750 to $10,000 or more, depending on business size.

Back-up all your electronic data.

Do this daily, you don’t know when a disaster will happen.

Determine a communication strategy.

Develop several ways to alert employees of an emergency. For instance, maybe use email blasts, text blasts and voice broadcasting, which allows to simultaneously send a voice message to everyone's office phone and cell phone. Also, install alarms throughout the building and test them regularly. For retailers and other businesses that often have customers on site, consider installing intercoms to issue instructions to staff and customers at the same time.

Consider temporary relocation if needed.

Fight feelings of isolation through relaxation techniques. In addition to the change in your routine, Employees may also be feeling cooped up and anxious about not being able to leave their home. Inform employee’s uses of relaxation and meditation techniques such as yoga and deep breathing exercises to calm their nerves during times of heightened insecurity.