Protecting Your Business from Tornadoes

10/5/2018 (Permalink)

Tornado season is upon us once again. We often think about securing our homes but many business owners don't have a tornado plan for their business. SERVPRO cares about your home AND business. Here are some tips offered by the Environmental Protection Agency on how to back up your business on-site records.

Most businesses keep on-site records and files (both hardcopy and electronic) that are essential to normal operations. Some businesses also store raw materials and product inventory. The loss of essential records, files, and other materials during a disaster is commonplace and can not only add to your damage costs but also delay your return to normal operations. The longer your business is not operating, the more likely you are to lose customers permanently to your competitors. To reduce your vulnerability, determine which records, files, and materials are most important; consider their vulnerability to damage during different types of disasters (such as floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes) and take steps to protect them, including the following:

• Raising computers above the flood level and moving them away from large windows
• Moving heavy and fragile objects to low shelves Storing vital documents (plans, legal papers, etc.) in a secure off-site location
• Regularly backing up vital electronic files (such as billing and payroll records and customer lists) and storing backup copies in a secure off-site location
• Securing equipment that could move or fall during an earthquake
• Prior to hurricanes, cover or protect vital documents and electrical equipment from potential wind driven rain, which may breech the building envelope through windows, doors, or roof systems.

BENEFITS OF UTILIZING THIS MITIGATION STRATEGY Helps to prevent the loss of essential business records and files, and protects raw materials and product inventory Helps a quick return to normal business operations Helps to prevent the loss of customers to competitors.

SERVPRO of Dyersburg/Union City is faster to any size disaster. You can reach our professionals at (731) 627-6251, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.