Business owners should prepare or review their own Recovery Plan. MEMA provides some important safety tips for business owners. 'Business as usual' will not happen without good planning.
- Review your property insurance with your insurance agent. Take photographs or make a video of your business establishment, both inside and outside.
- Determine and establish a written disaster preparedness plan for your business and its contents. Coordinate this plan with local and state officials. Specify the conditions under which the plan will be implemented.
- Test your plan, reviewing it annually. Establish an employee-training program on your disaster plan.
- Make plans for protection of your computer files, including a back-up system to secure data and safe storage of the data.
- Protect corporate records, keeping duplicates at an alternate location.
- Well in advance, acquire emergency protective equipment and supplies. Heavy plastic sheeting, duct tape, sandbags, emergency generator, chain saw and large pieces of plywood will help protect your property.
- Bring in display racks and other objects, such as trashcans that might cause damage if airborne. Remove outdoor signs, especially those that swing or are portable.
- Move merchandise, equipment or furniture away from windows or skylights. Elevate boxes or equipment, if possible.
- Turn off electricity and disconnect all electrical appliances and equipment (except for refrigeration equipment), in case there is a power outage. An ensuing power surge could be damaging to equipment.
- Inform all employees on when and how you will notify them to report back to work.
- Develop an employee identification system, such as picture ID badges. This may help employees gain access to the area after a hurricane.
- If possible, make arrangements to pay employees in cash. It may be several days before banking institutions are operational.