DISASTERS DON’T PLAN AHEAD. YOU CAN.

​​An estimated 25 percent of businesses don’t open again after a major disaster, according to the Institute for Business and Home Safety. Protect your business by identifying the risks relevant to your location, both natural and man-made. Then, keep your plan of action updated.

Preserve your equipment and business records by referencing this IRS guide on how to protect your information before an emergency strikes. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also offers an emergency preparedness checklist and toolkit.

Here are helpful preparedness tips to learn before an emergency strikes not during.

• Train your employees in general fire safety, especially for tasks with a high-fire risk, such as welding and cutting, fueling vehicles, working with flammable liquids, etc.
  
• If your office roof is accessible by ladder, prop it against the building so you and firefighters have access to the roof.
  
• Establish an evacuation plan and keep it up-to-date. Plan primary and secondary exits from your buildings. Consider how employees will escape if doors or windows are blocked by an exterior fire.
  
• Build a personal “go bag” for your cubicle or office that’s easily accessible if, and when, you need to evacuate your work location.
  
• Keep appropriate emergency supplies on hand, including flashlights, battery-powered portable radio, extra batteries, first-aid kit, manual can opener, non-perishable foods and bottled water. For more information and tips on how to be prepared for an emergency, visit the FEMA website.