When a disaster strikes, a quick and adequate response is your only chance to stay safe and recover in short order. To react fast and effectively, you need to be well prepared.
If you’re a business owner, proper disaster preparedness takes on even more importance – you need to ensure your safety and the safety of your employees, customers, and everyone else who happens to be in your facility when an emergency occurs. A good business disaster plan will help protect lives, equipment, and property, minimize financial loss, and expedite recovery.
In the event of an emergency or disaster, it is important to have the right supplies on hand for those in your facility. Creating an emergency kit does just that. An emergency kit is a collection of items your facility may need in an emergency. Although some emergencies come with a warning, other situations require you to act quickly. Creating a kit in advance and storing it in a secure location will give you more time to evacuate or shelter in place.
A business disaster kit should include emergency office supplies and equipment that will allow you and your employees to stay safe, give first aid to the injured, and receive timely updates and information about the situation.
FEMA suggests having enough supplies for 72 hours in an easy-to-carry bin or bag and placed in an easily accessible location. Below are essential items that can be included in an emergency kit:
Water (one gallon per person per day for several days for drinking and sanitation)
Food (at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food)
First-aid kit and any essential medications
Any essential company documents
Emergency contact list
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
Flashlights
Extra batteries
Whistle (to signal for help if necessary)
Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
Masks, soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes to disinfect surfaces
Basic tools
Wrench
Pliers
Knife
Scissors
Duct tape
Hammer and nails
Manual can opener (for food)
Local maps
Blankets
Fire extinguisher
Matches in a waterproof container
Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels, and plastic utensils
Paper and pencil
After creating your emergency kit, it is important to maintain it over time. Keep food in a cool, dry place in tightly closed containers and replace items as they expire. You should also update your kit as your company’s needs change.
Click here for more information on creating an emergency kit and other steps and suggestions for National Preparedness Month.
Preparedness can help keep you safe if a disaster affects your community, but it may not protect your property. Our expert teams help guide you from crisis to resolution as soon and as safely as possible. Learn more about our commercial services
here.