Preparing Your Business for High Winds

11/12/2021 (Permalink)

It's always a good idea to plan well in advance of a severe storm. With good preparation, you'll have a much better chance of keeping safe.

Getting Ready For High Winds In Your Business

If you're a business owner in Belton, TX, you know how important it is to be prepared for high winds and the possibility of hurricane damage. Taking the proper precautions could save you thousands of dollars in repair costs and lost work time. Consulting with a good storm restoration company and following the steps below should go a long way towards keeping everything safe and secure.

1. Building Preparation

If possible, make some modifications in advance. Have the roof of your building inspected to make sure that it can withstand the effects of a severe storm, and have shutters installed. Make sure all utilities such as gas tanks or water heaters are secured and raised up above floor level to minimize any possible water damage. Filing cabinets and bookcases should be anchored to wall studs, and other equipment should be secured with Velcro or straps. Inspect the outside of the building for trees that might fall over. This advance work should go a long way towards preventing hurricane damage.

In the time leading up to a hurricane's landfall, take steps to further secure the building by boarding up any otherwise unprotected windows and doors with plywood. Place sandbags around any areas that might be susceptible to flooding. Remove any valuables to a safe location, and turn off all utilities.

2. Secure Important Info and Documents

In a secure place, maintain a list that includes all contacts relevant to your business, including lawyers, suppliers, employees and banks. Important documents, like insurance papers, tax documents and contracts, should be backed up and readily available in an offsite location. Documents that are going to remain in the building should be kept in waterproof containers.

3. Be Prepared for Disaster

Keep an inventory of emergency preparedness items on hand in case you or your employees are not able to leave the building. This includes items such as:

• Pillows and blankets
• First aid kits
• Flashlights
• Battery-operated TVs or radios
• Tool kits
• Generators

It's always a good idea to plan well in advance of a severe storm. With good preparation, you'll have a much better chance of keeping safe and avoiding major hurricane damage.