When managing a small business, a power outage could place a huge dent in your operation. A blackout might not seem like much to the average person, but a business owner can experience a significant cut in profits due to a halt in productivity and a lack of potential sales. Even if your business is purely based online, having no power means not being able to respond to customer inquiries or other important messages. To help you be more prepared, Suncoast Power Solutions is here to inform you of things that you should do if your small business loses power.

 

Before A Power Outage

 

1. Have A Plan Ready to Go

As we are about to tell you how to handle a power outage, take notes and relay the information to anyone else who might need it. If you have employees, make sure they are also prepared in the case of a blackout.

 

2. Stock An Emergency Kit

There’s no telling what the weather conditions will be like when the power goes out. There’s a possibility that you’ll be stuck in the office building for a while which is why it’s always a good idea to have an emergency kit on hand. This should include essentials such as water, flashlights, first aid kits, and even non-perishable food.

 

During A Power Outage

 

3. Ensure Everyone’s Safety

After the power goes out, the first thing you should do is make sure everyone is safe. Depending on the business, it may be possible for someone to either be operating or riding a piece of electrical equipment at the time of the blackout. If anyone was hurt as a result of the outage, treat their injuries before anything else.

 

4. Report the Outage As Soon As Possible

Next, your energy provider should be informed of the incident so they can take action and document the problem for later evaluation.

 

5. Disconnect Any Electrical Equipment

Before anything has a chance to short-circuit or malfunction, play it safe and unplug everything that requires a power source. If there are any fridges on the property, try to keep the doors shut until the power comes back on to keep the cold air inside and prevent food from spoiling.

 

After A Power Outage

 

6. Allow Time After The Power Comes Back

Once the power kicks back on, you might be tempted to jump straight back into work. However, it’s common for the power to shut off and on a couple of times before becoming fully stable. To avoid damaging your equipment or accidentally corrupting any computer files, sit back for about half an hour to account for any mishaps.

 

7. Check Your Electrical Equipment For Damage

Double-check the status of your equipment before using them again. If anything was damaged during the blackout, you wouldn’t want any injuries to occur as a result of negligence.

 

Minimize the Damage With Backup Generators

While it’s important to know these safety precautions, it’s also possible to skip the prolonged blackout altogether with the assistance of a backup power generator. Generac branded power generators from Suncoast Power Solutions are designed to automatically kick on as soon as a blackout happens so you can continue business as usual. Call today for a free estimate!