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Preparing for a Weather Emergency at Work | SERVPRO of Northeast Charlotte
9/19/2023 (Permalink)
If your home or business was damaged in a storm, call SERVPRO of Northeast Charlotte to get you back in action.
You do your best to prepare your home for the possibility of severe weather by clearing your shelter location, staying current on the forecast and communicating with family, but what about at your business? Being a business owner means that you are not only in charge of daily operations—you are also responsible for keeping your staff safe in an emergency.
Preparing your staff for the possibility of a weather emergency while they are on the clock can ensure that everyone reacts safely and calmly.
Don’t let your crew run around chaotically as a severe weather system is headed right for your building! Incorporate these tips below into your training so that everyone on your staff is prepared to weather any storm.
We all know that weather can be unpredictable here. Mildly cold winters with occasional rain and snow give way to tornado season in the spring and early summer, so residents in the Charlotte area always need to be prepared for floods, high winds and the potential for widespread home damage.
One way to reduce your risk of flood damage is to understand your flood risk. If your business is located in a flood zone or you know that a heavy rain can be disastrous to your basement, you can take steps now to prepare your space. Stay current on the weekly forecast so that you can give your staff the information they deserve as soon as possible.
Just like you talk with your spouse or your kids when a storm rolls through town, you need to do the same with your employees! In this digital age, it is easier than ever to send off a mass email or a group text to everyone in your employment.
The information can be as simple as a reminder to check the forecast before heading to work or it can be as crucial as urging everyone to get to the safe shelter location right away. Either way, you need to be able to spread information to everyone quickly and in a uniform way.
Keeping your staff safe is your top priority, so understanding when it is time to evacuate quickly during a weather disaster or hunkering down in your safe shelter location is vital. If you choose to evacuate, be sure that everyone knows your evacuation routes and can find the exits quickly and calmly.
In other weather situations, going outside may not be the smartest idea. This is why you should have your safe shelter location ready to use at a moment’s notice! Stock it with food, water and an emergency kit, and be sure your team knows where it is and how to get to it without the use of elevators or escalators.
Practice your response plans multiple times a year so that when the real situation comes, your staff will be able to react appropriately and everyone can stay safe together.
Don’t let extreme weather take control! If storms strike your business, SERVPRO can help you restore your losses.