|
Can your business afford a fire? How about water damage?
In these uncertain times, many businesses do not know if they will have to cut back on employees, hours worked, or if they will even be open for business the next month. The surprising fact is that most business owners do not think about hazards they cannot control until it is too late. Damage from water or a fire could devastate an economic source communities dearly depend on today. When it comes to the safety of personnel and a building, there are times when it is not cheaper to cut corners. There are simple techniques businesses can implement to prevent damages water and fire can cause that are smart and economical now and in the long-run.
-
Ban candles. Candles are one of the number one fire starters because it is easy to walk away from them. Ever have a nice smelling candle in your office, but left it unattended to greet a client? A not-so-sticky note or random memo could fly into the air and land in the most inconvenient place: on the candle.
-
Do not overload electrical outlets. Does your outlet have a power strip plugged into it that has the computer, monitor, printer, mini-fridge, space heater, and cell phone charger plugged in to it? If so, you are looking for trouble. Instead, use several different outlets with surge protectors so sparks don't fly.
-
Place fire extinguishers in several places throughout the building. A small fire can be just that if it is taken care of calmly and quickly. Make sure all personnel know where the extinguishers are located and how to use them.
-
Purchase and use fireproof safes and/or file cabinets that are also waterproof. Yes, these items can be very expensive. However, fire damaged documents and flood damaged books are even more expensive when they have to be restored. Think about how relieved you will feel should there be a fire or spontaneous leak in your building, but all of your important documents are stored away, safe and dry.
-
Invest in a leak protection system. These systems act similar to a smoke alarm. When the system senses a leak, it sounds an alarm and may even flash a light. Some models can stop the water-flow or even be part of the building's security and fire alarm system.
-
Inspect your building on a routine basis. Look around for potential fire hazards or things that can cause water damage. During a routine inspection:
-
Replace old batteries in smoke alarms.
-
Replace empty fire extinguishers.
-
Check all the plumbing and drainage systems.
-
Check any furnace burners on a regular basis to make sure the flame is blue with a yellow tip. If this is not the case or the unit does not ignite quickly, call an HVAC technician to inspect this problem.
-
Fix any leaks, even if they are small.
-
Check walls and ceiling for any signs of leaks such as bubbles in the paint, cracks, or stains.
-
Make sure all the seals around windows and doors are intact to ensure water is not trickling in when it rains.
If a business should still experience fire or water damage, contact a restoration specialist and a disaster recovery company immediately. Disaster recovery services will help clean a building affected by smoke, fire, or water and check it for safety. Restoration specialists will use paper document restoration techniques that will help turn fire damaged or flood damaged documents into dry documents.
When it comes to water and fire damage, instead of doing damage control, exercise damage prevention to ensure the life of your business.
~Flora Richards-Gustafson, 2009 |
