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Here's Something To Think About...


Prepare for Utility Disruptions

Businesses are often dependent on electricity, gas, telecommunications, sewer and other utilities.

  1. Plan ahead for extended disruptions during and after a disaster. Carefully examine which utilities are vital to your business's day-to-day operation. Speak with service providers about potential alternatives and identify back-up options.
  2. Learn how and when to turn off utilities. If you turn the gas off, a professional must turn it back on. Do not attempt to turn the gas back on yourself.
  3. Consider purchasing portable generators to power the vital aspects of your business in an emergency. Never use a generator inside as it may produce deadly carbon monoxide gas. It is a good idea to pre-wire the generator to the most important equipment. Periodically test the backup system's operability.
  4. Decide how you will communicate with employees, customers, suppliers and others. Use cell phones, walkie-talkies, or other devices that do not rely on electricity as a back-up to your telecommunications system.
  5. Plan a secondary means of accessing the Internet if it is vital to your company's day-to-day operations.
  6. If food storage or refrigeration is an issue for your business, identify a vendor in advance that sells ice and dry ice in case you can't use refrigeration equipment.