The Importance Of Preparing Your Shop For Autumn Emergencies

We’re nearly a month into the fall season! In case the chillier temperatures weren’t already an indication of the time of year, Halloween is exactly two weeks away. We all know that the day after, the holiday shopping rush will practically begin. While this is an exciting point in the calendar for business owners, it also presents some challenges.

In our last blog, we pointed out some of the most common small business mishaps during the fall and noted how to prepare for them. Let’s take a further look at the importance of preparing your shop for autumn emergencies.

Guard against unpredictable weather.

Our last blog highlighted the fact that such weather issues as heavy rain, high winds and early snowstorms can cause problems. Among them are power outages, property damage and flooding. It’s wise to devise an emergency plan, if you haven’t already. Make sure that all of your employees are on board. They should know the procedures for handling extreme weather conditions. As well, be sure to check the integrity of your building’s roof, windows and drainage systems. This can help to prevent weather-related damage before it happens.

Federated Insurance points out that frozen pipes are a leading source of property damage during severe winter weather. “To reduce risks, seal all windows, doors, and wall cracks on exterior walls with caulk or insulation, and insulate and seal partition walls, vents, plumbing stacks, and electric and mechanical chases,” advises their website.

Plan for supply chain disruptions.

Is fall your busy season? If so, you may want to check in with your suppliers right away. Don’t hesitate in stocking up on inventory to prepare for the holiday rush. For industries that have autumn as a busy time of year, supply chain bottlenecks can impact inventory levels and delivery schedules. The last thing you want, at this busy time of year, is angry customers who feel they can’t count on you to meet their needs. Look into growing your list of suppliers so that you can pivot to another if one of them is unable to satisfy your product demands.

According to Oracle, it’s important to improve supplier communication and relationships. “Manufacturers can reduce disruptions by communicating with suppliers and managing them better,” informs their site, “Most manufacturers name a person or team to manage supplier relations. Depending on the circumstances, a quarterly, monthly, or more frequent call is a chance to discuss problems and brainstorm solutions.”

Eliminate fire hazards.

The colder weather will likely encourage you to make use of space heaters and other heating equipment. Of course, this increases the risk of fire hazards. It’s vital that all of your heating devices are properly maintained and used safely. As well, your smoke alarms and fire extinguishers should be tested to ensure their effectiveness. In addition, you should train your employees on fire safety protocols. Have a clear evacuation plan in place.

Fire safety plans should be specific to the property or business, says the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS). “Conducting an audit or review of the property or business will help identify factors that could affect fire safety,” says their website, “Items in this audit include site layout, points of entry/exit, roadways, use of the building, where and how items are stored, how items are used, water or fire department connections, alarm systems, sprinkler systems and many other factors.”

Apply for a merchant cash advance.

Using Synergy Merchants’ merchant cash advance program to get emergency funds can ensure that you are able to handle any autumn emergency. To learn all about it, please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-877-718-2026 or email us at info@synergymerchants.com. You can also apply online for a free, no obligation quote!