Storms are some of the most common natural disasters in the United States. It’s estimated that storms can cost the commercial sector nine billion dollars in damages each year. Thankfully, you can do a few things to help secure your office and minimize the damage a storm could cause.
Install Flood-resistant Doors and Windows
Most of the time, the flood will be the one that will damage your office the most. Water from the storm can easily ruin your equipment, documents, and furniture. To help prevent this type of damage, you can install flood-resistant doors and windows in your office. These are specially designed to keep water out and help minimize the damage a flood can cause.
The average cost of a flood-resistant door is about $550, while the average price of a window is about $1,200. So they’re not all that expensive, considering what they can do for your business. It can also save a life when a hurricane hits. So keep this in mind when securing your office from a storm.
Get Proper Plumbing
Floods can happen if your office is not adequately prepared for one. One way to help prevent this is by ensuring that your plumbing can handle a large amount of water. This means you should have proper drains installed and your pipes in good condition. You should also have a backup generator if the power goes out during a storm.
Plumbing doesn’t cost all that much, especially if it’s proactive. So expect to spend lower than $500 for the services.
Have an Emergency Generator
If the power goes out, you’ll want an emergency generator. It will ensure you can keep your office running even if the power is out for days. It’s a good idea to have a few of these on hand, as you can also use them for other purposes related to emergencies. An emergency generator can also ensure that your emergency exit devices are working properly. These devices are essential for every disaster as they ensure that your office is appropriately evacuated.
The average cost of an emergency generator is about $2,500. But it’s worth the investment, as it can save your business a lot of money in the long run.
Anchor Valuable Equipment
Heavy rains can bring intense floods, and if your office is on the first floor and your area is prone to flash floods, you’ll want to take extra precautions. One way to do this is by anchoring valuable equipment, such as computers and printers, to the floor. This will help minimize the damage that a flood can cause.
There are anchor kits you can purchase for less than $50. However, you can also DIY your anchors. One way to do this is by tying the equipment to a heavy object, such as a filing cabinet. You can do this a few days before the storm hits. It ensures that any valuable equipment you might have is safe. But don’t expect that your computers will be safe. If you want your files to be safe, follow the next tip.
Have Digital Backups
Digital backups are essential, especially if you’re in an area prone to storms. It ensures that your files will be safe even if your computer is destroyed. You can either store the backups off-site or use cloud storage. Cloud storage is an excellent option as it’s affordable and easy to use.
The average cost of a cloud storage subscription is between $20 to $50. It’s a cheap investment but one that’ll keep your files safe from storms and hurricanes.
You can secure your office by doing these tips. However, sometimes it’s good to prepare for the worse. There are two ways you can do this: through an emergency fund and getting insured.
Emergency Fund
An emergency fund is a savings account that you use for unexpected expenses. This includes things like storm damage. It’s a good idea to have at least three to six months of living expenses saved up. It ensures that you can cover the cost of repairs and replacement without going into debt.
The average cost of repairs after a storm is about $3,000. But this number can increase depending on the extent of the damage. So, it’s best to be prepared.
Insurance
Another way to prepare for the worst is by getting insurance. It protects you financially in case of an unforeseen event, such as a storm damaging your office. You can get two types of insurance: property insurance and business interruption insurance.
Property insurance covers the cost of repairs to your office. However, it doesn’t cover the loss of income you’ll experience while your business is closed. Business interruption insurance, on the other hand, does just that. It replaces the lost income you would’ve earned had the disaster not occurred.
Storms can cause a lot of damage to businesses, both in terms of property and lost income. However, there are ways you can protect your office from these disasters. In this article, we’ve provided five tips that’ll help keep your business safe from storms. Ensure that your office is secure by following these tips.