An estimated 25 percent of businesses don't open again after a major disaster, according to the
Institute for Business and Home Safety. Protect your small business by identifying the risks relevant to your location, both natural and man-made, including hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires and more. Then keep your plan of action updated.
Preserve your equipment and business records by referencing this
IRS guide on protecting your information before an emergency strikes. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also offers an
emergency preparedness checklist and toolkit.
It is also a good time to remind you that this is National Fire Prevention Week. Surprisingly, the latest statistics from the
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) show that if you have a reported fire in your home, you are more likely to die today than you were a few decades ago. This startling statistic is behind this year's Fire Prevention Week theme:
"Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware - fire can happen anywhere."
Through three simple calls-to-action, this year's theme identifies basic but essential ways people can reduce their risk of fire and be prepared in the event of one:
