Most of the time, it’s impossible to predict when a disaster will strike. It doesn’t matter whether the disaster is natural or a result of negligence; as a small business, it might spell the end of your operations. Following natural disasters like floods or hurricanes, most destroyed small businesses take years to recover or close shop. A disaster resulting from negligence can leave you with nothing.
Though it’s impossible to predict a disaster, you can take action to protect your business. This can also go a long way in saving the lives of your employees. Here is how you can safeguard your small business against disaster.
Identify Your Greatest Risk Potential
Which disasters are you likely to fall victim to as a business? This is the question you should ask yourself when assessing your most significant risk potential. If you live in a flooding or earthquake-prone area, the biggest risk is floods and earthquakes. Make a list of the top three and work on those. Fire disasters can happen to any business as they usually result from negligence. Make sure you include it in your top three.
Have a Reliable Repair Service Provider of Speed Dial
Whenever you notice any problems with your electrical, water piping, or gas line system, call a reliable repair service provider immediately. If you are wondering where to get one, look at Networx reviews to find the right repair service. Having repair work done on time can be the difference between avoiding a disaster and dealing with the aftermath of one.
Get Disaster Insurance
Now that you have identified your most significant risk potential, you must get disaster insurance for business. You can look for an insurer who offers comprehensive disaster insurance if you have more than a couple of risk factors. In this case, your insurance premiums will be exceptionally high compared to a single policy. This is because you are protecting against a broader set of risks. If you can’t afford that, of for single policy for your top three risks, fire included. Ensure you adhere to the insurance policy’s terms as deviations like late or skipped premiums can lead to it declined by the insurer after a disaster.
Always Be Prepared to Evacuate
Set up your business in a way that it can be easy to evacuate in case you need to do so when a disaster is about to happen. Make sure that you have all your essential business documents placed in one easily accessible place. If you have a server, you put them in a fire and waterproof room with your premises to protect your essential data in the event of a natural disaster.
Get Emergency Power
Among the first things to be destroyed during a disaster is the mains electricity supply. Even a disaster that doesn’t affect your business can affect the mains line and leave you without electricity, thus crippling your business operations. If you can afford backup generators, install them, and have a generous supply of petroleum around. Having a generator with no fuel to run it is useless. For safety, you should also place them in a fire and flood-proof location. You can also install battery power backups for a lesser budget.
Keep in mind that only you can keep your business safe from disaster. Therefore, make sure that you implement the tips mentioned above, and your business can flourish even after the most challenging disasters.
