Spring in New England comes with beautiful blooms, green grass — and the occasional late-season snow storm. This week’s nor’easter is a good example.

Here are some key tips to help make sure you successfully weather a storm.

 

1. Take steps to protect key equipment and records. Ensure you have plenty of plastic sheeting and tape to cover cabinets and safes. Additionally, keep plastic bags on hand that can be sealed to protect your electronics, vital information, legal documents, etc. from water damage.
2. Back up critical information. Data storage companies offer off-site backups of computer data that can be updated regularly. Keep hard copies of important documents off-site in a secure location in case your business is completely flooded.
3. Turn off all non-critical devices such as workstations, server monitors and other electrical equipment.
4. Ensure you have a plan in place to let your customers and suppliers know what’s going on, and keep them updated as the storm progresses. Prepare a list of contractors you can call for any needed building or equipment repair.
5. Draft an emergency response plan, then train employees on their specific roles. Be sure employees know the right person to notify if any problems arise and have multiple points of contact in case one or more staff members are trapped by the storm.
6. Set up an interior space for your employees and customers away from windows or glass doors that could break.
7. Test your security alarm as well as your fire alarm system. Be sure your business security system provider offers redundant communications and a back-up battery system to ensure help is never far away.
8. Take an inventory of your business property and equipment and write down the serial numbers, prices paid along with when and where you bought each item. Insurance companies requires this information to process your claim in the event of a disaster.
9. Put together an emergency storm kit that includes the following supplies: Flashlights, a portable, battery-operated radio, extra batteries, first-aid kit, emergency food and water, manual can opener, essential medication, cash and credit cards.
10. Ensure items that are outside don’t blow away and/or cause damage by:
    • Removing all loose debris
    • Tieing down or moving all nonessential equipment to a safe indoor location
    • Storing flammable liquid drums securely, or moving them to a sheltered area that’s not inside your main building
    • Properly bracing all outdoor signs

While you can’t stop New England’s weather from wreaking havoc with spring storms, following these tips can help prepare you to safely endure the deluge.

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