Disasters can strike quickly and unexpectedly. Floods, wind storms, tornadoes and earthquakes can suddenly put you out of business, at least temporarily. An overturned chemical tanker truck can prevent you and your employees from getting to your facility. Even power outages, brownouts or surges can affect your daily business operations. It is estimated that as many as 40 percent of small businesses do not reopen after a major disaster like a flood, tornado or earthquake. These shuttered businesses were unprepared for a disaster; they had no plan or backup systems.

To help you plan for disasters and prepare your employees and clients in the event of an emergency, the Red Cross has prepared several useful guides.

► The Red Cross Ready Rating™ Program provides an easy framework for your organization to become better prepared for emergencies. Ready Rating has information, tools and resources to assist with improving your business’ readiness.

► Emergency Management Guide for Business & Industry presents a step-by-step approach to emergency planning, response and recovery for companies of all sizes.

Get Started

• Find out which natural and technological hazards can happen in your area.
• Get information about how to prepare your employees and clients to respond to possible hazards and provide help. Disaster safety tips and CPR and First Aid training are available from the St. Louis Area Chapter.
• Network with others who have or need to develop risk or contingency management plans. Attend seminars and get information from local risk management associations or chapters.
• Create a disaster plan that addresses human resources, physical resources and business continuity. Think about how a disaster could affect your employees, customers and workplace. Think about how you could continue doing business if the area around your facility is closed or streets are impassable. Think about what you would need to serve your customers even if your facility is closed.
• Keep phone lists of your key employees and customers with you, and provide copies to key staff members.
• If you have a voice mail system at your office, designate one remote number on which you can record messages for employees. Provide the number to all employees.
• Get programmable call forwarding for your main business line(s). Then, if you can't get to the office, you can call in and reprogram the phones to ring elsewhere.
• If you may not be able to get to your business quickly after an emergency, leave keys and alarm code(s) with a trusted employee or friend who is closer.
• Install emergency lights that turn on when the power goes out. They are inexpensive and widely available at building supply retailers.
• Back up computer data frequently throughout the business day. Keep a backup tape off site.
• Use UL-listed surge protectors and battery backup systems. They will add protection for sensitive equipment and help prevent a computer crash if the power goes out.
• Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio with a tone alert feature. Keep it on and when the signal sounds, listen for information about severe weather and protective actions to take.
• Stock a minimum supply of the goods, materials and equipment you would need for business continuity.
• Consult with your insurance agent about precautions to take for disasters that may directly impact your business. Remember, most policies do not cover earthquake and flood damage. Protect valuable property and equipment with special riders. Discuss business continuity insurance with your agent.
• Keep emergency supplies handy, including flashlights with extra batteries, a First Aid kit, tools, and food and water for employees and customers to use during a period of unexpected confinement at your business.

Reduce Potential Damage

You can help prevent or reduce disaster damage in your facility by taking the following precautions:

• Bolt tall bookcases or display cases to wall studs.
• Protect breakable objects by securing them to a stand or shelf using hook-and- loop fasteners.
• Move to lower shelves large objects that could fall and break or injure someone.
• Install latches to keep drawers and cabinets from flying open and dumping their contents.
• Use closed screw eyes and wire to securely attach framed pictures and mirrors to walls.
• Use plumber's tape or strap iron to wrap around a hot water heater to secure it to wall studs.
• Have a professional install:
          • Flexible connectors to appliances and equipment fueled by natural gas.
          • Closeable shutters to protect windows from debris and damage caused by severe weather.
          • Automatic fire sprinklers.

Protect Your Employees, Customers and Business

Designate one employee from each work shift to be the safety coordinator. This person will make all decisions relating to employee and customer safety and to the safety of the business itself. Safety coordinators should know how to contact the owner or operator at all times.

Everyone in your facility should know how to prepare for a disaster and what to do if a disaster occurs. Contact the St. Louis Area Chapter for specific information about how to stay safe in a tornado, earthquake, fire, flood, or other hazard.

Disasters can strike quickly and unexpectedly. Floods, wind storms, tornadoes and earthquakes can suddenly put you out of business, at least temporarily. An overturned chemical tanker truck can prevent you and your employees from getting to your facility. Even power outages, brownouts or surges can affect your daily business operations. It is estimated that as many as 40 percent of small businesses do not reopen after a major disaster like a flood, tornado or earthquake. These shuttered businesses were unprepared for a disaster; they had no plan or backup systems.

To help you plan for disasters and prepare your employees and clients in the event of an emergency, the Red Cross has prepared several useful guides.

► The Red Cross Ready Rating™ Program provides an easy framework for your organization to become better prepared for emergencies. Ready Rating has information, tools and resources to assist with improving your business’ readiness.

► Emergency Management Guide for Business & Industry presents a step-by-step approach to emergency planning, response and recovery for companies of all sizes.

Get Started

• Find out which natural and technological hazards can happen in your area.
• Get information about how to prepare your employees and clients to respond to possible hazards and provide help. Disaster safety tips and CPR and First Aid training are available from the St. Louis Area Chapter.
• Network with others who have or need to develop risk or contingency management plans. Attend seminars and get information from local risk management associations or chapters.
• Create a disaster plan that addresses human resources, physical resources and business continuity. Think about how a disaster could affect your employees, customers and workplace. Think about how you could continue doing business if the area around your facility is closed or streets are impassable. Think about what you would need to serve your customers even if your facility is closed.
• Keep phone lists of your key employees and customers with you, and provide copies to key staff members.
• If you have a voice mail system at your office, designate one remote number on which you can record messages for employees. Provide the number to all employees.
• Get programmable call forwarding for your main business line(s). Then, if you can't get to the office, you can call in and reprogram the phones to ring elsewhere.
• If you may not be able to get to your business quickly after an emergency, leave keys and alarm code(s) with a trusted employee or friend who is closer.
• Install emergency lights that turn on when the power goes out. They are inexpensive and widely available at building supply retailers.
• Back up computer data frequently throughout the business day. Keep a backup tape off site.
• Use UL-listed surge protectors and battery backup systems. They will add protection for sensitive equipment and help prevent a computer crash if the power goes out.
• Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio with a tone alert feature. Keep it on and when the signal sounds, listen for information about severe weather and protective actions to take.
• Stock a minimum supply of the goods, materials and equipment you would need for business continuity.
• Consult with your insurance agent about precautions to take for disasters that may directly impact your business. Remember, most policies do not cover earthquake and flood damage. Protect valuable property and equipment with special riders. Discuss business continuity insurance with your agent.
• Keep emergency supplies handy, including flashlights with extra batteries, a First Aid kit, tools, and food and water for employees and customers to use during a period of unexpected confinement at your business.

Reduce Potential Damage

You can help prevent or reduce disaster damage in your facility by taking the following precautions:

• Bolt tall bookcases or display cases to wall studs.
• Protect breakable objects by securing them to a stand or shelf using hook-and- loop fasteners.
• Move to lower shelves large objects that could fall and break or injure someone.
• Install latches to keep drawers and cabinets from flying open and dumping their contents.
• Use closed screw eyes and wire to securely attach framed pictures and mirrors to walls.
• Use plumber's tape or strap iron to wrap around a hot water heater to secure it to wall studs.
• Have a professional install:
          • Flexible connectors to appliances and equipment fueled by natural gas.
          • Closeable shutters to protect windows from debris and damage caused by severe weather.
          • Automatic fire sprinklers.

Protect Your Employees, Customers and Business

Designate one employee from each work shift to be the safety coordinator. This person will make all decisions relating to employee and customer safety and to the safety of the business itself. Safety coordinators should know how to contact the owner or operator at all times.

Everyone in your facility should know how to prepare for a disaster and what to do if a disaster occurs. Contact the St. Louis Area Chapter for specific information about how to stay safe in a tornado, earthquake, fire, flood, or other hazard.