Creating an Emergency Action Plan for your Business

1/10/2023 (Permalink)

Creating an Emergency Action Plan for your Business

As a business owner, it’s important to think about various types of emergencies and develop an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for your business. An EAP helps you prepare for and manage an emergency before it happens. It’s also often required by law for certain types of businesses. 

There are a variety of things that could occur to disrupt your business.

When planning for business continuity, you should consider the possibility that your company could be impacted by any number of events. Disruptions can affect a business’s ability to continue operating, particularly if they result in a loss of power or interruption of telecommunications services (which are increasingly reliant on the internet). Other disruptions might include:

• Natural disasters such as storms and earthquakes
• Cyber-attacks on your network infrastructure

You could face disruptions due to:

• Weather-related events, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and snowstorms.
• Power outages. These can be caused by severe weather or power grid problems. If your business relies on electricity to operate, you may need to shut down until the power is restored. This may involve closing the office for the day or even longer if damage requires more extensive repairs than first thought.
• Natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. If a natural disaster strikes near where you have operations, there's a chance that roads will be blocked by fallen trees or other debris—or damaged so badly they're impassable—and power lines could fall across roads making them unsafe for travel.

Weather-Related Events

In addition to man-made emergencies, like fires, there are also many types of weather-related events that can disrupt your business operations and threaten the safety of your employees.

• Snow: During the winter months, snowstorms can cause power outages, transportation delays and more.
• Ice: Ice storms can not only cause power outages but also make travel unsafe for drivers and pedestrians alike.
• Thunderstorms: Severe thunderstorms can bring wind damage as well as flooding due to heavy rains or hail. High winds may damage roofs or knock over trees onto buildings as well.
• Hurricanes/Tornadoes/Floods/Droughts: These extreme weather conditions are all capable of causing severe damage to property and disrupting daily operations if emergency plans aren't in place before these events occur.

Power Outages

The next thing you want to think about is power outages. You need to have a backup power supply in case your main generator goes down and can’t be repaired quickly. You should keep this backup generator the same size as your primary one, so that it can run all the equipment in your building without overloading it. 

If you don’t already have an emergency communications system in place that works even when there are no cell phones or internet access. That includes text messages sent through email servers where people can check their accounts at work or home computers via Wi-Fi access points even if those devices aren't connected directly through cable modems or fiber optic cables like usual networks would provide them with service instead using wireless signals sent by radio waves emitted by antennas mounted on towers scattered throughout communities being able to reach most locations within range without needing much investment upfront cost-wise.

Make sure everyone knows where they're supposed to go once there's smoke seen billowing out from vents near exits leading outside – this could indicate fire has started somewhere inside building structure causing smoke conditions that require immediate evacuation before conditions worsen beyond control.

Natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods and wildfires

When it comes to natural disasters, it’s important for businesses to have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP). An EAP is a plan that describes how you will respond in the event of an emergency. A good EAP takes into account the risks associated with your location or industry and outlines what actions staff should take if they are at work during an event.

Accidents such as those involving hazardous materials or vehicles

• Accidents can be caused by human error or equipment failure.
• A good plan should include procedures for reporting accidents, and the subsequent evacuation of employees and other responders.
• A good plan should also include procedures for contacting emergency responders in case of an evacuation that is handled by outside help.

Civil disturbances

A civil disturbance is any form of public disorder that presents a substantial threat to the community, including:

• Riots
• Demonstrations
• Stampedes
• Looting and vandalism

Although you can’t prevent emergencies, you can be prepared for them. 

Having an emergency action plan (EAP) will help you and your employees stay calm and alert during times of crisis. It’s a good idea to prepare for the unexpected, even if you don’t think it would ever happen to your business. The key is being ready to respond quickly in case of an emergency. Here are some steps to take:

• List all possible emergencies that could occur at your workplace, including fires, floods, and power outages.
• Identify how each participant should respond to the different types of emergencies so they know what actions they need to take when faced with specific situations. For example, do not try putting out a fire unless there are proper safety equipment on hand such as fire extinguishers or emergency lighting.
• Create an evacuation route plan identifying exits from every room in the building within 30 seconds of any threat or hazard occurring.
• List other useful information such as phone numbers for police (911), fire department (911) chemical spill hotline number, poison control center hotline number, poison ivy/oak/sumac plant info antihistamine, etc...

You can’t prevent emergencies, but you can be prepared for them. By creating an emergency action plan and sharing it with your employees, you’ll know how to respond if any of the situations mentioned above occurs. It will also help others know what they should do in case something happens to you as well.

3 Reasons You May Find Mold in Your House After It Rains

8/15/2022 (Permalink)

Mold growth in a Sanibel, FL home

Mold Problems In Your Home

Molds, including black mold, need food and moisture to survive. The moisture from rainfall can sometimes lead to mold problems in your home for the following three reasons.

1. Wet Items in the Home
A bit of light rain usually will not lead to a moisture problem in your home, but if the rain has been heavy or it has been raining for an extended period, wet items in the home can become a problem. To avoid this, dry wet clothing, umbrellas, outerwear and shoes in a well-ventilated area. If your furniture or carpets are wet, make sure to dry those also. Don't forget other items that may be wet, such as the towels you used to dry your pets or floor mats used to clean muddy shoes.

2. Lack of Ventilation
When the weather gets bad, most people keep their doors and windows closed. This lack of ventilation can lead to black mold growth. Once the rain stops, open up the windows and doors and run some fans to increase air circulation. Alternatively, you can run your HVAC system, provided it doesn't also have a moisture problem.

3. Leaks in the Roof
Even a small amount of rain can become a problem if your roof leaks. Contact a roofer in Sanibel, FL, to inspect your roof at least once per year. Repair small problems, such as cracked or missing shingles, before they can become larger problems.

Look for any signs of wet spots or leaks whenever you have had a weather event. If you notice any signs of mold, contact a mold remediation company to do mold cleanup before it can spread.

Heavy or long-lasting rain can create conditions that are favorable to black mold growth in your home. However, there are steps you can take to reduce the chance that rainy weather will lead to a mold problem.

Large Loss Response Key to Recovering Faster

6/19/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Central Ft. Myers will restore your property " Like it never even happened"

Large-Loss Reaction is Crucial for a Quicker Recovery

A large weather event in Lehigh Acres, FL, such as flooding, often results in extensive damage. While the amount of damage and chaos may seem overwhelming, you can count on SERVRPRO to have a disaster recovery team ready to help deal with the catastrophic loss.

Benefits of a Disaster Recovery Team
Water damage spreads fast, so it is essential to have the fastest response to handle the damage. When you choose a franchise company that is corporate-backed, it makes recovery easier and faster. Below are four benefits you can expect:

Available 24/7: No matter what time of day or day of the week, you can call the 24/7 Customer Care Center Storm and know that your call will be answered.

Certified Technicians: A major weather event requires specialized procedures and equipment to restore a property back to preloss condition. The disaster team has a specialized technicians that are certified to handle the many aspects of the loss.
Nationwide Franchises: As a company with 1,900 local franchises, you can count on an experienced team being within two hours of any location throughout the United States.

Insurance Knowledge: A large-loss event may easily get complicated. With a corporate team fluent in how the claims process works, it means an expedited experience without the hassle.

Catastrophic Loss Cleanup Process
When the team arrives to handle the storm damage, the following services can be expected:

• The property will be secure to minimize secondary damage.
• Wet items will be removed to dry properly in a safe location.
• Standing water will be extracted.
• Industrial-grade fans and dehumidifiers will be used to dry out the property.
• Once dry, cleaning, sanitizing, and deodorizing will be completed following IICRC standards.
• The property will be restored to “Like it never even happened.”

A catastrophic loss may seem like an impossible situation, but professional help is just a phone call away.

Three Reasons To Choose SERVPRO in an Emergency

2/3/2022 (Permalink)

No matter what the emergency is, SERVPRO is an excellent option. They show up faster for any size disaster and provide the help your client needs.

In An Emergency, There Are Three Reasons To Choose SERVPRO.

No matter what the emergency is, SERVPRO is a great choice. They show up Faster to Any Size Disaster and provide the help your client needs to get their Fort Myers, FL, home back in order. Here are a few reasons to choose them when you need repairs done quickly.

1. They Provide Help in a Timely Manner

There are many situations in which your clients may experience damage to their home. Whether the building has been affected by a fire, a burst pipe or a natural disaster, addressing the situation as soon as possible is important. Not only will SERVPRO take steps to prevent any further damage, but they can also provide a professional assessment to assist your client in filing their insurance claim. Once the home has been inspected, they can get repairs done in a timely and cost-effective way.

2. They Are Highly Trained Professionals

When your client needs repairs, you want to use a company that does their job right. Having repairs done incorrectly will be more costly in the long run. As well as being Faster to Any Size Disaster, SERVPRO also uses trained professionals who have the skill and experience to get any damaged home back to its previous state as soon as possible. With the necessary equipment, they will have your client’s home looking great again in no time.

3. They Are Locally Owned

Another reason to use SERVPRO is that they are a locally owned franchise. As such, they take pride in their communities and work hard to serve them. Because they have over 1,700 franchises across the country, it is easy for them to respond quickly during an emergency.

When you are in need of a professional restoration service, call on the one that is Faster to Any Size Disaster. No matter what kind of damage has occurred, they will get the job done right and done fast.

To Save or Replace: Item Care After Mold Growth

1/10/2022 (Permalink)

If you find mold in your home, it is important to have SERVPRO remove it as quickly as possible.

Item Care After Mold Growth: To Save Or Replace

When you have a mold problem, it tends to get on everything. Part of the mold cleaning process in your home in Charleston Park, FL, includes taking care of your belongings. Many things may have to be thrown away if the mold is embedded deep within them, but mold mitigation specialists may be able to salvage more than you think.

Photos and Documents

Family photographs tend to carry heavy sentimental value, and important documents may cost money and take a lot of time to replace. It’s good news, therefore, when these items can be restored following mold damage.

By hiring certified technicians who are experts in mold remediation, you may be able to save papers that are hard or impossible to replace. There are several possible ways to restore these items:

• Thermal drying
• Freeze drying
• Air drying
• Dehumidifying

Textiles and Soft Materials

Mold cleaning of textiles usually involves a slightly more intense version of the routine cleaning they already get. Curtains, clothing, linens and leather may be able to be restored “Like it never even happened." Many items can also be salvaged via dry cleaning. The Esporta Wash System is used by remediation specialists to clean soft items to a food-grade level.

Computers and Televisions

Electronic equipment can be a little trickier to clean. Water can cause irreparable damage to sensitive gadgets, so it’s important to make sure the machine is thoroughly dried first. Equipment that has mold damage can short out and crash if you try to use it before it is fully repaired. You should thus enlist the help of technicians who specialize in electronics restoration.

When you start the mold cleaning process, you may be overwhelmed by how many items are affected. Certified experts can help you distinguish between what can be saved and what has to be thrown away. You may be able to salvage more than you imagine.