Last week, most of us in the Bay Area were jostled awake at 3:30 in the morning by the largest earthquake we’ve had in the past 25 years. While we’re thankful there was no loss of life, the Napa Valley area suffered over $300 million in damages to buildings and businesses.
As supporters of local small businesses, we can’t help but wonder what if San Francisco had experienced more than just a rumble? Would your business have been ready? Read on to discover some proactive steps you can take to prepare your small business for the next “what-if.”
What Steps Should You Take First?
When it comes to surviving and thriving with your small business through the unexpected, preparedness make all the difference. Here are three steps to get you started:
Get Connected: Know who your neighbors are (which seems like good advice in all facets of life, wouldn’t you say?). Also, be aware of who’s working at your business which day, and keep an updated staff contact list so you can check on everyone’s safety in the event of an emergency.
Gather Supplies: Your business should have an earthquake kit on hand. KQED has a great roundup of what should go into a kit. The highlights? A first aid kit, a gallon of water per person, and a flashlight with extra batteries.
Have A Plan: Make sure your business has an earthquake evacuation plan with an area for all of your staff to meet once the shaking is over. FEMA has some great, in-depth detail about earthquake safety at work. Take some time to have practice a drill with you staff as well, that way everyone can feel confident in the processes in place.
Make Sure Your Business Is Ready Too
Take a walk around your building or office, and make sure your shelving and furniture are as secure as possible. The vast majority of injuries from an earthquake come because of falling, unsecured items. And there’s also your inventory to consider: the floors of broken wine bottles from Napa are fresh visuals for all of us. Ensure that tall furniture is secured to the wall at the top, and that glassware and breakables are kept on lower shelves.
Also, think about your financials. Do you have access to a line of credit in the event that there’s an interruption in your business? Is your insurance is up to date, and covers your business’ needs? Take the time to review your policies, earthquake coverage, and even the life insurance for staff who are essential for your business’ operations. You might consider storage too. Your on-site file box may not be accessible in the event of an earthquake. Consider keeping physical or digital copies of the documents that detail your coverage so that if you need to reference them, you have options.
A little preparedness now will go a long way in your business’ future. Mayor Lee is encouraging everyone who lives or works in San Francisco to take the San Francisco Fire Department’s free Neighborhood Emergency Response Team training, and register for the City’s e-mail and text-based notification system. He’s also posted a letter to the San Francisco community, urging them to take earthquake preparedness seriously, and encouraging people and business owners to visit the City’s SF72 website.
You can read Mayor Lee’s full letter here:
Safety and your small business should go hand in hand. What other tips can you share for preparing your small business for the unexpected?