October 2007

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Protect your business property and belongings from extreme weather events

On the 16th October 1987, the UK was battered by Hurricane Len, at the time the most extreme weather event to affect the UK since 1703. Thousands of homes and businesses were affected, with the total clean up bill topping £1bn.

Twenty years on, the effects of climate change on UK weather patterns are better understood, in part thanks to the type of extreme events we experienced this summer – ranging from widespread flooding to tornados. Now climate experts predict that extreme weather events will become increasingly common over the coming years and decades and Prime Minister Gordon Brown has warned that planning must take this into account .

With many more homes and businesses across the UK likely to suffer the devastating effects of extreme weather, MORE TH>N BUSINESS is issuing the following advice to small businesses.

Top 10 tips on how to protect your business property and belongings from extreme weather events:

1. Remember your insurance company is there to help. The MORE TH>N BUSINESS Helplines are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call us on 0800 072 0227.
2. Follow advice, such as evacuation notifications and procedures, given by the Environment Agency and your local council. Advice can also be found within their website: www.environment-agency.gov.uk .
3. Ensure any trees or tree branches that are near power lines or are in the vicinity of your premises are trimmed back or maintained, so that in the case of high wind they don’t catch fire or fall on the building.
4. If your premises have a chimney, ensure the chimney is properly secured with braces so it won’t collapse during extreme weather.
5. Try to maintain and adhere to current building codes. Ensure your premises is securely anchored to its foundation – If you don’t know how to do the bracing and bolting necessary to strengthen it, contact a licensed building contractor.
6. Check circuit breakers and fuse boxes, replacing bad connections and storing spare fuses.
7. Know how to turn off the water main and check your gas meters.
8. Have an emergency box on hand containing fire extinguishers.
9. Secure plumbing and gas lines with straps, attaching them to walls, ceilings, or stable surfaces and install flexible hoses on gas and water appliances.
10. Ensure the water heater is securely in place in a corner/closet/or straight on a wall.
11. Reinforce and secure unstable objects inside the premises i.e. mirrors, shelves, light fixtures.
12. Make sure any kitchen equipment along with fuel tanks and wood burning stoves are securely anchored

Overall, make sure you have drawn up a business continuity plan, which means that you have mapped out all the steps needed to get your business back up and running after a crisis. Some of the things you should think about are: whether your essential data is backed up, who are your key staff and whether they can work remotely or from alternative premises, who your key suppliers are, is there other suppliers you could use if necessary.

Should extreme weather strike, MORE TH>N BUSINESS recommends a number of things that you can do to minimise damage to your business.

Top 10 tips if you have suffered from an extreme weather event:
1. Stay out of damaged buildings and watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines.
2. Look for and extinguish small fires to eliminate fire hazards.
3. Leave the gas on at the main valve, unless you smell gas or think its leaking. If the gas is turned off for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.
1. Look for electrical system damage. If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell burning insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker.
2. Open any closet and cabinet doors cautiously. Contents may have shifted during a storm and could fall, creating further damage or injury.
3. Use battery-powered lanterns or flashlights to inspect your premises. Kerosene lanterns, torches, candles, and matches may tip over or ignite flammables inside.
4. Watch for loose plaster, drywall, and ceilings that could fall and inspect the entire length of chimneys carefully for damage.
5. Contact your insurance company immediately. Insurers are trained to provide you with information and guidance in events like this.
6. Take pictures of the damage, both of the premises and its contents to help your insurance claim.

Mike Bowman, head of insurance at MORE TH>N BUSINESS, said: “Extreme weather can cause devastation and small businesses often stop trading as a result, which can have serious consequences on their businesses overall. It is important that we do not forget the lessons of 1987, whilst also learning from more recent weather events. MORE TH>N BUSINESS advises businesses to be as prepared as possible to reduce the impact of loss on the premises and business.”

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