Tips for protecting your jewelry business from water damage and power outages
By Jewelers Mutual Group
Backyard barbeques, driving with the windows down, and the fresh warm breeze aren’t the only things that arrive along with the summer season, also on that list are seasonal storms that can wreak havoc on your property.
Imagine walking into your jewelry business the morning after a storm only to find that your roof leaked or your building experienced flooding. Your walls and artwork are damaged, the floor is soaked, and your computer and printer are covered with water. Not to mention the potential of the power going out and the risks associated with that.
At first, you’re in shock. Then you start mentally calculating the cost to replace everything that’s been damaged. Not only will it be costly to have repairs done, but you’ll also most likely need to close your business for a few days resulting in lost revenue.
No matter the season, a loss from water damage is real and the cost for repair can add up quickly. If you don’t take care of that damage in a timely manner it can lead to even costlier damage from mold or structural damage in the future.
Taking even a few preventive measures early on could make all the difference, providing you and your employees with peace of mind, and saving your business from the headaches associated with costly repairs and closing your doors.
Here are a few things you can do to protect your business from loss due to water damage and power outages.
- Clear your roof and gutters – Regularly inspect your business’s roof and gutters for leaves, debris or existing damage that may cause water to build up or roof leakage.
- Make sure you have adequate insurance coverage – The details of your coverage matter because some types of water damage may not be covered. Talk to your agent to make sure you have the right coverage.
- Keep your data safe – Have a plan to protect your electronic data, including tax information, inventory records, and customer data. Backing up the documents on an external hard drive you can keep in an alternate location is your safest bet.
- Develop an inventory record – Maintain safe, easily accessible inventory records for your jewelry and property. Keeping an up-to-date inventory record in a safe off-site location is one of the best ways a jeweler can be prepared.
- Keep a contact list nearby – When it comes to preparing for disasters, having employees and important vendor phone numbers handy is extremely important. Keep numbers in your cell phone in case you need to make quick calls while planning.
- Install a smart sensor to monitor your property – Take comfort in knowing your jewelry business is protected by installing smart sensors to help reduce the risks from water or power outages.
If you are a Jewelers Mutual® Group policyholder, you have access to an easy-to-install sensor to monitor your property 24/7 that detects issues due to water damage or frozen pipes. These sensors add an additional safety measure to reduce risk and protect jewelry businesses.
Once you’ve taken preventive measures and implemented any needed contingency plans, it’s important to relay any necessary information to your employees. This will allow everyone at your business to feel prepared in the event of a summer storm-related emergency.
Visit The Clarity Blog to learn more about how to protect your employees and your business from unexpected weather-related threats.
Have other questions or want to learn more about sensor monitoring? Email [email protected] and one of our loss prevention experts will be happy to help you!