Is your business protected?

5/4/2020 (Permalink)

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 40% of businesses DO NOT  REOPEN after a disaster and another 25% FAIL WITHIN ONE YEAR. The United States Small Business Administration shows similar statistics indicating that over 90% of businesses fail within 2 years after suffering a disaster.

Most business owners focus on protecting their businesses from earthquakes, floods and fires. However, the smaller incidents can be just as catastrophic such as burglary or water damage. These can result in immense losses due to damage and lost business.

What can you do to survive?

To survive, business owners must prepare for emergencies and take steps to prevent or, at the very least, minimize the effect of disasters. The first step is to be aware of the condition of your building. Document existing problems such as any and all wall cracks or plumbing issues and when repairs are made. This allows you, as the owner, to keep up with necessary repairs and maintenance before it becomes a problem. This will allow your employees to stay calm and productive, knowing that the building is safe and sound.

The second step is to have a Disaster Preparedness Plan. Have copies of your Plan in areas easily accessible to all employees with a list of emergency contacts, shut-off valves for gas and water as well as any other important contacts or documents. SERVPRO of East Riverside City can help you prepare an Emergency Ready Program (ERP) which will contain the above necessary information at no cost to you.