When Hurricane Sandy devastated the East Coast two years ago, it cost
retailers an estimated $4 billion in sales—not to mention expenses
associated with extensive property damage. While forecasters are calling
for a relatively quiet storm season in 2014, retailers can never be too
cautious when preparing for any storm—particularly one that could result
in flooding or wind damage. To help retailers limit the impact of a
storm, Cintas
Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS) today identified six questions every
retailer should ask to determine if their business is prepared for a
storm.
“The bulk of a retailer’s storm preparation should happen before the
storm appears on the radar screen,” said Beth Krantz, New Business
Development Manager, Cintas Managed Solutions. “You want to have the
right partners and programs in place so once the evacuation notice is
given, you have a turnkey response plan and can focus on other critical
response items—like leaving town.”
Cintas identified the following six questions for retailers:
1. Do storefront windows have protective coating or shutters?
If not, what are the board-up plans?
Stores along seaboards or other areas regularly impacted by storms will
likely have an additional layer of coating or shutters to protect glass
from high winds. In situations where reinforced glass or shutters are
not available, retailers should have an emergency-board up plan in
place. Because providers of these services will be overloaded during
evacuation periods, it’s critical to have a partner in place and
recognize deadlines for having work completed.
2. When was your emergency plan last updated?
Whether you created your emergency action plan six years or six months
ago, you should review it before storm season to make sure it’s up to
date. This includes confirming repair providers are still in business
and perform the scope of work highlighted in your plan. In addition,
you’ll want to review emergency action procedures, such as turning off
gas and electric, or steps to secure refrigerated goods, with key
personnel. Have a checklist available so team members can mark off each
responsibility once it’s been completed.
3. What work scopes have been prepared for common emergency
repairs after the storm passes?
Typical storm damage repairs can extend from the store exterior (e.g.
gutter or signage replacement) to the interior (e.g. plumbing backups or
lighting replacements). Work with your emergency repair provider to
identify your potential repair needs and develop work scopes to help
expedite the repair process after the storm passes.
4. Are first-aid supplies regularly stocked in case an
emergency occurs?
Not all storms will force closures and emergency evacuations, so it’s
important to be prepared in case a smaller storm causes unexpected
damage. Having a stocked first-aid kit available helps limit the impact
of an injury to retail staff or customers, enabling them to treat minor
wounds and protect more serious wounds until they can receive further
medical treatment.
5. When were emergency (e-gress) lights last tested?
Most retailers don’t realize that the National Fire Prevention
Association (NFPA) 101 regulation requires businesses test emergency
exit lights annually. This is to ensure that lights will maintain a
90-minute period of illumination during electrical outages or emergency
situations. Make sure e-light testing is included in your preventative
maintenance program.
6. Who is my emergency repair provider?
If you don’t have an emergency repair provider in place, you should
consider identifying a team that can provide around the clock board-up
services and sandbag placement in preparation for the storm and assist
with cleanup and repair tasks after the storm passes. From repairing
broken entryways to extracting floors, you want a partner who can manage
multiple facets of the cleanup operation so you can open your doors more
quickly. Keep the contact’s landline and cell phone numbers readily
accessible (store them in your cell phone or write them on a piece of
paper) in case of an electricity outage and make sure they have all of
your numbers, including ways to reach you after hours.
For more information on Cintas’ solutions for retailers, please visit www.cintas.com/managedsolutions.
About Cintas Corporation:
Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas Corporation provides highly
specialized services to businesses of all types primarily throughout
North America. Cintas designs, manufactures and implements corporate
identity uniform programs, and provides entrance mats, restroom cleaning
and supplies, tile and carpet cleaning, promotional products, first aid,
safety, fire protection products and services and document management
services for more than 1 million businesses. Cintas is a publicly held
company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol
CTAS and is a component of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index.
Copyright Business Wire 2014