April 7, 2017

By: Chelsea Haley, DKI Ventures, LLC

To quote the infamous American writer, Mark Twain – “In the spring I have counted one hundred and thirty-six different kinds of weather inside of four-and-twenty hours.”

While 136 may have been a bit of an exaggeration, spring weather, no doubt, can be very unpredictable, changing from sunshine to storms within a single day. And, lately, 2017 is turning out to be one of the most active and dangerous spring severe weather seasons. Make sure you and your business are always prepared for the varying conditions and their potential threats.

For instance, during a spring storm, your business is at risk from the following:

  • Power Outages
  • Communication Disruption
  • Transportation Delays
  • Employee Absence (from injury or no access to roads)
  • Damage to Facility and/or Equipment

Luckily planning for spring weather and these risks is very similar to planning for any severe weather event. Follow the guidelines below to ensure your safety and minimal business disruption.

Monitor Warnings: Monitor all local weather alerts on the radio, TV and Internet. Social media is also a good method for tracking the news, but only rely on reputable sources.

Seek Out Shelter: Always have an exit strategy. Know how to get out of your area if evacuations are issued, and know where to escape to. Make sure everyone within your company is aware of your emergency preparedness plan, and that you practice drills regularly so the response in an event is second-nature to all involved.

Have Back-Up: In case of a power failure, which is likely during a heavy storm, have on hand a backup generator and fuel to minimize downtime and continue to run necessary equipment.

Also, always backup your digital files on your computers on a regular basis. All copies should also be stored offsite in a safe location.

Perform Inspections:  Thoroughly inspect the exterior and interior of your facility, as well as your equipment.

Restock Your Emergency Kits & Check Your Smoke Detectors: Last, but definitely not least, ensure your emergency kits are properly stocked. Items to include: Flashlights (with extra batteries), blankets, clothing, water, non-perishable food, first aid kit, and important documents and files (insurance, medical information, etc.) you may need to stay away from your business for several days.

Also, if you haven’t done so recently, check the batteries in your smoke detector.

As you can see, the plan above is similar to all plans for a severe weather event. Just remember, once a warning is issued, you don’t normally have much time to prepare – So, take action now!