As a property owner, you need to be prepared for anything that comes your way. Although we can’t predict when disaster will strike, laying the foundations for an emergency response now can save you from serious consequences.
There are different things to take into consideration depending on whether you are a commercial property owner or a homeowner. In this article, we’ll give an overview of the key tips you need to keep in mind for commercial vs home disaster emergency response.
- Focus on Prevention
The best way to stop a disaster is to prevent it from happening in the first place. This means making sure your property is built in line with recommended safety standards and developing a preparedness guide in the event of a disaster. Your preparedness guide should include:- An evacuation plan. Designate primary and secondary evacuation routes for your employees or family. Ensure all exits are accessible and well-lit. Create an evacuation plan in advance and designate a meeting area outdoors where everyone can gather in the event of a disaster. Take special note of individuals who will require assistance during an emergency.
- Keep an up-to-date list of emergency contacts. It’s important to keep fire, hospital, ambulance, and police numbers on hand, as well as disaster response services like First Response. Keep a secondary copy of this list in a safe place off-site.
- Get an emergency kit. Make sure you have first-aid items, flashlights, non-perishable food, and bottled water at hand in your kit. Ensure your kit is easily accessible in the case of an emergency.
- Protect vital business records. Business owners should ensure to back up their critical data and programs in a location second to their commercial property. Additionally, they should keep copies of important physical records in a safe place, ideally off-site.
- Know your risks and prepare. Familiarize yourself with the common disasters in your area. For example, floods, forest fires, or storms. Decide on the actions you will need to take in the case of each.
- Understand your insurance coverage. Make sure your policy is up to date and covers everything relevant to you.
- Determining the Cause
In most cases, you’ll have a fair idea of what the cause of the disaster was; a natural disaster (earthquake, flood, storm damage), or other damage like burst pipes, sewage blockage, or fire. Whether you are a commercial property owner or homeowner, it’s important to first understand what the cause of the damage is. - Evacuate the Property
In both commercial and home properties, you should immediately evacuate people from the property to ensure their safety. If it is safe to do so, it is best to meet outdoors, in a well-lit area. - Shut off the Power Supplies
Especially in the case of flooding and if it is safe to do so, turn off any power supplies at the mains. This will prevent further damage or injury to persons on the property. - Locate Your Supplies
Knowing where your supplies are is an essential part of a good emergency plan. Locate your emergency numbers, first-aid kits, water bottles, and other essentials to immediately support employees or family members at the site of the disaster. - Keep Calm
This is especially relevant for business owners. In the case of a disaster, your employees may become panicked. It’s important to communicate instructions about what happens next to everyone so they can remain calm. - Stop Damage Before It Gets Worse
When an emergency occurs, the best thing you can do is stop it before it gets worse. A small problem can quickly become a big problem in no time at all if left unchecked. If you are unsure of your next steps, it’s time to bring in your professional disaster emergency response team to help you.
First-Response Restoration & Renovation is Your Professional Response Team
We’ve been helping people recover their properties from disasters for decades. Unlike many crews, every one of our technicians is certified to professional standards for disaster emergency response. We offer 1 hour response times and expert recovery support for water damage, fire damage, mold, sewage, and more.
- Fully certified and trained team of disaster response technicians.
- Government certified, so we can work on government buildings too.
- FEMA certified – we are trained and educated to a world-class standard in first response and emergency management.
Knowing how to deal with commercial and home emergency disasters can save your property, your job, your family, and maybe even your life. At First-Response Restoration & Renovation, we are your professional partners in disaster and emergency recovery. If you need help, call us today for a free estimate.