One of the smartest things you can do as a business owner or property manager is to implement a winter disaster preparedness plan which will allow for you to be prepared for issues that might arise. With the winter months around the corner, it is a great time to ensure your commercial spaces are well protected. The colder months not only bring plummeting temperatures but also ice, heavy winds, freezing rain, blizzards and snow that can wreak havoc on your business and your bottom line if you aren’t prepared.

According to the National Weather Service, winter storms create a higher risk of car accidents, hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning, and can knock out heat, power, and communication services. They suggest you should know your area’s risk for winter storms and pay attention to weather reports and warnings of freezing weather and winter storms. And they suggest signing up for your community’s warning system or visiting The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio that also provide emergency alerts, so you can stay on top of any potential threats related to winter weather conditions.

With the potential threats that the colder months can bring, businesses need to take every step possible to winterize commercial facilities including:

1. Avoiding Frozen Pipes and Plumbing Issues: Take steps to avoid frozen pipes by checking exposed exterior pipes for signs of cracks and openings that can lead to water leakage and freezing. Seal any cracks that are identified. Keep interior temperatures at a minimum of 55 degrees at all times during the colder months.
2. Checking and Inspecting Building Insulation: Have a specialist come in to check your HVAC systems to see if interior or exterior insulation needs to be replaced. Routinely replace all building air filters. Old or inadequate insulation and filters can lead to higher energy costs.
3. Inspecting Roof Space and Clearing Debris: Clear your building’s roof space of leaves and debris that can cause blockage of gutters. Doing this will allow melting snow to properly drain away from the building. Clearing debris can prevent ice dams and heavy snow from buildup on your roof which will prevent excessive loads on the roof and can cause unwanted structural damage.
4. Routinely Checking Property During Cold Periods: Check your commercial spaces regularly, at least once per week during the coldest months and winter storms, to identify a potential issue before it becomes a problem.
5. Partnering with a Restoration Professional: Develop a partnership with a professional restoration company that offers emergency planning services, so you are prepared if the worst happens despite all of the preparation. A trusted restoration company can help you create an emergency response plan in the event of winter weather related emergencies.

If you are a business owner or property manager looking for more information on how to effectively prepare for a winter disaster, we can help with our Emergency Response Planning services.