Though the Sunshine State offers us countless weather-related perks, there’s no denying that certain seasons bring with them less predictable conditions. With that comes the situation that no business owner wants to face: a power outage. Unfortunately, blackouts are something that every Florida business owner is likely to experience at some point. Luckily, though, there are plenty of steps you can take to make sure your business doesn’t suffer in a power outage. To explore a few of the steps you can take to protect your company and your team in a blackout, keep on reading.
Prepare Your Team
The most important thing you can do for your team is making sure they don’t rely on you for instructions in an emergency. Whether you’re present during a power outage or not, make sure that no member of your team is left unsure of how to stay safe. Include an “emergency procedures” section in your training materials, including a subsection dedicated to power outages. If possible, remind all team members about the locations of first-aid kits, flashlights, batteries, and other emergency materials.
Have an Emergency Kit
Whether you have a team of 3 or 300, it’s critical to have enough supplies to keep everyone safe. Have a clearly marked and easily accessible emergency kit containing all of the items mentioned above, as well as water, maps with marked exits, and even portable chargers. All employees should be aware of where your emergency kits are stored – and it’s even better if your team members know who should be in charge of grabbing emergency items when they’re needed.
Protect Your Equipment
Even businesses without a major technological presence have to rely on certain electronics and appliances to get the job done. That said, it’s likely that your business has more than just a basic technological reliance. In order to make sure that your business isn’t damaged in the aftermath of a blackout, it’s crucial that you invest in surge protectors. When the lights do come back on, it’s very common for power surges to damage your electronics – sometimes irreparably. Surge protectors will be an extremely useful way to make sure your equipment goes unharmed during and after a power outage.
Have Backup Storage
A great way to make sure your business doesn’t suffer in a power outage is to look into storing information in cloud-based software. More and more businesses are moving away from local (and remote) servers, opting instead to use tools like Google Drive, Dropbox, and other platforms to securely store information. By storing your business files in a trusted online platform, you’ll make them impervious to damage or loss during a blackout. Where servers fail to back up your information in time, the cloud backs it up instantly, making it virtually impossible to lose valuable business data during even the least anticipated power outages
Invest in a Generator
Of course, the ultimate way to make sure your business doesn’t suffer in a power outage is to make sure it barely experiences the outage in the first place. Invest in a powerful backup generator from a provider you trust. This will keep the lights on, buying you precious time and electricity to literally power through a blackout with ease. Make sure you talk to an expert generator dealer to find the option that works best for your business.
Though facing a blackout is virtually impossible, you have countless options. By understanding the ways to make sure your business doesn’t suffer in a power outage, you’ll be equipped to preserve productivity and ensure safety. To learn more about choosing the right generator for your business, click here.