Universal Insurance has developed a series of educational videos that are designed to help you create a safer salon environment. Topics include “How to Avoid Overexposure to UV Light” and “How to Prevent Water Damage in Your Salon.”
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This month, we address ways to prepare for tornados and severe weather.
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Tornadoes and severe weather have the potential to create significant injury, property damage and business interruption. While there is new technology in weather forecasting that yield increased warning times, tornadoes can still strike without much warning, so it is critical to prepare in advance and create plans for mitigating damage.
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The following are some general suggested tips and actions to consider taking, before, during and after a tornado strikes.
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Tips & Actions to Prepare for Tornado/Severe Weather Season
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- Identify Your Safe-Zone: If your business does not have a secure safe-room or tornado shelter, identify the most secure and structurally-stable area of the facility where you can ride out the storm. Check with neighboring businesses and public buildings – they may offer shelters.
- Create an Emergency First Aid Kit: This should include bandages, gauze, medical adhesive tape, antiseptics, liquid soap, eye wash, scissors, matches or lighter, pain relievers, antibiotic creams, etc.
- Create an Emergency Response Pack: This should include flashlights, batteries, storm radio, bottled water, dried/sealed foods, zip-lock bags, ponchos, blankets, breathing masks, protective eyewear, protective gloves, etc.
- Fire-extinguishers: Your business should have at least two, and they should be checked to ensure they are operable. Verify the locking pin is intact and the tamper seal unbroken. Check the pressure gauge and lift the extinguisher to ensure that it is full.
- Prepare Your Business: Back-up all computer files – a cloud-based storage center is best. Keep enough cash on hand to handle day-to-day business operations. Credit card systems may not function during severe weather. Store important papers and documents in a secure area. Ensure that all inventories are kept high and dry.
- Prepare Your Equipment: If severe weather appears imminent, you may consider shutting off or disconnecting power to your tanning equipment, computers, etc. Adding surge protectors in advance is also an excellent way to limit damage.
- Pre-qualify certified repair and service contractors, including both local and national firms.
- Anticipate loss of electrical power and other utilities and consider emergency generators, alternative fuels, etc.
- Review the structural integrity of buildings and structures, including rotted wood, rusted metal, physical damage, loose/missing fasteners, etc. Replace or repair damaged components.
- Review and evaluate the wind resistance of each structure, signage, etc., and implement improvements.
- Inspect roof coverings, perimeter flashings, gutters, drains, ventilators and other roof-mounted equipment.
- Check for weak door and window latches and hardware.
- Identify and consider removing any large trees which may fall and damage buildings or structures.
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Watch for tornado danger signs:
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- Dark, often greenish clouds – a phenomenon caused by hail
- Wall cloud – an isolated lowering of the base of a thunderstorm
- Cloud of debris
- Large hail
- Funnel cloud – a visible rotating extension of the cloud base
- Roaring noise
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NOTE: Do not open windows – this may actually make things worse by letting wind and rain inside.
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Tips & Actions to Take After a Tornado/Severe Weather
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- Continue listening to local news or NOAA Weather Radio for updated information and further instructions.
- Damage should be surveyed and, as soon as possible, notification of the fire protection impairments to the local fire department and/or police departments.
- Report damage to insurance companies as soon as possible.
- Survey for safety hazards such as downed electrical wires, leaking gas or flammable liquids, damage to underground piping, etc. Notify the appropriate utilities as soon as possible.
- Take measures to temporarily repair areas in order to prevent further damage.
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Our informative videos are available on our website: uitanning.com, and we encourage you and your staff to take just a few minutes to view them.
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