Ensuring Your Business is Ready for Power Outages

In today’s busy world, businesses depend on having a steady supply of electricity to operate smoothly, keep workers safe, and serve their customers. Unfortunately, power outages can happen suddenly, whether from bad weather, accidents, or issues with power lines. Even a brief outage can lead to significant problems, including lost money, safety risks, and potential damage to important equipment.

At Rogers Electric, we focus on keeping your business powered up, no matter what happens. We’re here to share some helpful tips on how to prepare your business for power outages, explain why having backup generators and emergency plans is crucial, and show you how being proactive can protect your operations and your team.

Why Preparing for Power Outages is Essential

Power outages can cause more than just inconvenience—they can disrupt your entire business. Unexpected outages can halt machinery, impact employee safety, and slow down essential tasks. For example, Heavy snow and ice can affect deliveries and supply chains. Moreover, extreme weather increases the chances of outages, due to strong winds, frozen pipes, or structural hazards like roofs collapsing.

By taking steps to prepare for these outages, your business can:

• Minimize downtime and financial losses.
• Protect employees and customers.
• Avoid damage to electrical systems and equipment.

Key Strategies for Outage Preparedness

1. Invest in Backup Generators

One of the most reliable ways to deal with a power outage is to install a backup generator. Generators provide immediate electricity to keep your business running smoothly. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:

• Place generators outdoors to prevent carbon monoxide accumulation.
• Properly ground all generators to avoid electrical hazards.
• Use lockout/tagout devices to prevent electricity from feeding back into the grid.

A generator tailored to your needs ensures critical systems like lighting, refrigeration, and communications stay operational during an outage.

Using the lockout/tagout method is a key strategy for Rogers Electric to stay safe during power outages.

Source: Rogers Electric

2. Assemble an Emergency Kit

Preparedness begins with having the right supplies on hand. Businesses should stock an emergency kit with:

• Non-perishable food and water for employees for at least 72 hours.
• Flashlights, batteries, and first-aid supplies.
• Backup chargers for electronic devices.

Additionally, businesses relying on power-dependent equipment, like medical devices, should register with their utility provider to prioritize service restoration.

3. Protect Your Electrical Systems

During an outage, power surges can damage equipment when electricity is restored. To prevent this:

• Turn off equipment and unplug non-essential devices.
• Make sure that devices don’t turn back on automatically after a power cut, as this can cause injuries or more damage.
• Think about getting a backup power supply, like an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), to keep important electronics running smoothly.

4. Ensure Employee and Customer Safety

Power outages can create hazards like poor visibility, slippery walkways, and extreme indoor temperatures. Prepare your workspace by:

• Installing emergency lighting for safe evacuations.
• Shoveling snow and salting walkways during winter months to prevent slips and falls.
• Providing warm areas for employees working outdoors and encouraging sick staff to stay home.

Protecting your electrical systems in your business is important in order to resume normal operations.

Source: Rogers Electric

5. Safeguard Refrigeration and Food Storage

For businesses in the food or retail industries, protecting refrigerated goods is critical. Unopened refrigerators can keep food cold for about 4 hours, and full freezers maintain temperatures for up to 48 hours. Minimize door openings to retain cold air, and have a generator ready to maintain safe storage conditions.

6. Plan for Water Needs

Businesses using well water or supporting livestock must plan for water access during outages. Consider storing water in advance or installing a generator to power well pumps.

7. Monitor and Maintain Infrastructure

Snow accumulation and ice can weaken structures and lead to roof collapses. Regularly inspect roofs and remove snow safely to prevent structural damage.

Staying Informed During an Outage

Effective communication is vital during a power outage. Use a battery-powered or hand-crank radio to stay updated on weather and outage developments. Additionally:

• Sign up for notifications from your utility provider.
• Establish a communication plan to reach employees and clients. Ensure emergency contact lists are up to date.

For additional resources, businesses can call 211 to access community support services during emergencies.

The Cost of Inaction

Failing to prepare for power outages can have severe consequences. Beyond lost revenue, your business risks:

• Damage to expensive equipment.
• Injury to employees or customers.
• Loss of perishable goods.
• Poor reputation for not delivering services during critical times.

By taking proactive steps today, you can mitigate these risks and ensure continuity during unexpected outages.

Be prepared for power outages before time to best benefit your business operations.

Source: Rogers Electric

How Rogers Electric Can Help

At Rogers Electric, we know how important it is for your business to keep running smoothly, even during power outages. Our team of skilled electricians is here for you around the clock, offering:

• Generator Hookup Services: We’ll install and maintain backup generators to keep your essential systems powered.
• Reactive Maintenance: When emergencies happen, we’re ready to respond 24/7/365 and restore power to your business quickly and efficiently.

Don’t let a power outage catch you off guard. Reach out to Rogers Electric today and protect your business with dependable electrical services.

Let’s Keep Your Business Powered

From keeping your employees safe to protecting key systems, Rogers Electric is your reliable partner in preparing for outages. Visit our website or call us now to learn more about how we can support your business needs.