TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 19, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) has outlined key steps to help business owners work toward recovery following Hurricane Isabel.
Put safety first. The safety of people and property are key considerations following a disaster. Buildings must be safe before employees and customers re-enter. Report downed power lines or gas leaks as soon as possible.
If you own a building, have it inspected by structural engineers or contractors to determine its safety and the extent of the damage.
If you do not own the building your business occupies, work with the owner to have it inspected. You are responsible for the safety of anyone on your businesses' premises.
If the building is unstable, find an alternative location to work from.
Report the loss. Call your insurance agent or insurer as soon as you can. Provide a general description of the damage, and if possible, have your policy number handy.
Assess damages. Note damages caused to the structure, equipment and property, including product inventory and raw materials.
Make repairs. Avoid additional property damage by making temporary repairs to the building, boarding up windows, or covering holes in the roof. You may also want to partition the building if some areas are not usable.
Clean up. Your insurance company may tell you to hire a professional cleaning service. If you or your employees are involved in this effort, use proper eyewear, gloves, hardhats and masks. Sanitation systems within the facility should be repaired immediately.
This information was taken from the IBHS brochure, Getting Back to Business-A Guide For The Small Business Owner Following Disaster. For more information visit the IBHS web site www.disastersafety.org or for a free single copy call toll free 1 (866) 657-IBHS (4247).
IBHS is a national nonprofit initiative of the insurance industry to reduce deaths, injuries, property damage, economic losses and human suffering caused by natural disasters.
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