Setting some time aside to plan ahead, for what may or may not be a freezing winter, is not always a high priority.
The thing is, you never know what mother nature has in store. To help you protect your business, we've set out 5 simple actions below that can help you minimise the risk of winter downtime or even worse, another closure, Save yourself from added stress should the worst happen, and follow our quick tips below.
1. Check your Insurance Policy
Look out for your business insurance policy. You may discover that you can’t find it at all so it’s better to know this now so you can request a copy from your insurance provider. Once you have a copy take a note of your policy number and how to get in contact with your insurer should you need to make a claim. It’s worthwhile storing a note of these details in your phone so you have access to this information 24/7.
Next, have a look at your policy coverage and assess whether you need to make any adjustments to protect your business against downtime, closure, or damage to your business premises during winter.
2. Take photos and take notes
Having a visual account of the condition of stock and equipment before and after any damage occurs will be crucial to any insurance claim you may need to make. It’s also worthwhile taking photographs of the exterior and interior of your premises too.
3. Set Christmas holiday reminders to leave your heating on low
Just because you plan to shut your business in winter for only a few days doesn’t mean you’re safe from frozen pipes. Leaving your heating on low while you’re away will reduce the risk of frozen pipes and give you peace of mind during your well-earned winter break.
In the chaos of the festive season, it’s reasonable to expect that you may forget to do this, so consider your winter business closure times now and set reminders to leave the heating on low before you lock up shop. If you plan to close for an extended time, you may want to arrange for you or someone else to visit the premises while closed to check for any issues.
4. Know what to do and who to call in an emergency
Just as you should know and have to hand in your insurance policy details, you should also be able to locate and use your stopcock - so you can turn your water on and off. Additionally, you should have the phone number of an emergency plumber and your water network’s emergency number. Any emergency is stressful and chaotic, so having quick access to this information will be vital.
5. Download your free Winter Wise Guide from Castle Water
Your free Winter Wise Guide is packed with handy tips to get your business safely through the winter, from insulating your water tank to safeguarding your pipes.
