Running a business offers plenty of challenges, even during good weather. But the threat of winter storms brings new ones altogether. Be ready this year by following a few preparation and safety tips.
1. Contract Parking Lot Cleaning
A snow-filled or icy parking lot will deter customers from entering your business. It can also pose a serious hazard and create a liability your business doesn’t need.
Start reaching out to plow and snow removal companies in the summer. This will give you plenty of time to get several estimates and make a sound decision for your business.
2. Develop a Backup Heating Plan
In an ideal world, the power would stay on no matter so much snow and ice come down. But this is reality, and it is often far from perfect.
Make plans for a backup heat source in the event that the power goes out. Even if you tell employees to stay home, your pipes and other systems can be in danger of freezing in sustained cold temperatures.
3. Have Your Roof Inspected
You don’t really want to find out your roof isn’t sound when it collapses under a foot of heavy, wet snow.
Schedule an inspection to make sure everything is in good condition. Make sure gutters and downspouts are cleared so melting snow and ice has a place to go.
If your roof is flat or has a slight slope, you should consider developing roof snow removal plans.
Roof alarms can notify you of heavy loads on the surface. This will get the extra weight off the surface sooner to help you avoid a collapse or leak.
4. Set Up a Closure Notification System
There may be times when it just isn’t safe to travel. Set up an inclement weather policy now and share it with all of your employees, suppliers and customers. This way, if you do have to close for a day or two, you will already have a reliable method of alerting everyone affected in place.
5. Stock Up On Supplies Early
Ice melt, batteries, and other cold-weather supplies should be purchased early. Most are designed to store well, so you shouldn’t have to worry about that. But, you don’t want to get caught without enough sand for the driveway into your parking lot the day before a big storm is forecast to hit.
When you run a business, you have to think of the safety of your employees and customers during inclement weather. Start planning for winter storms early to avoid being caught off guard or without the necessary supplies on hand.
Image credit: by twenty20.com
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