| Weather can have a devastating affect on your | | | | can only flow one way. |
| home business. In the summer of 2007 the UK | | | | If you have large trees growing beside the house, |
| experienced much higher rainfall than normal. May to | | | | make sure the branches are trimmed back, especially |
| July was the wettest 3 months since records began. | | | | the ones closest to your house, windows, power lines |
| Around 50,000 houses and 7000 businesses suffered | | | | and telephone lines. Keep an eye on the weather |
| flood damage. | | | | forecasts and if there are storms forecast for your |
| As the rain kept coming our flood defences struggled | | | | area then make sure you take some simple measures |
| to cope. Many homes had disruption in their power | | | | like stowing away any loose items in the garden |
| supply, communications were knocked out and some | | | | including garden furniture. |
| even had problems with their fresh water supply. | | | | Unplug all electrical equipment and make sure they are |
| Extreme weather caused by climate change seems | | | | stored as high as possible. If you have expensive rugs |
| to be happening more regularly. What can you do to | | | | on the floors, roll them up and store somewhere safe. |
| prevent some of the damages caused by freak | | | | Remove items of sentimental value and take them |
| weather? You could start off with making sure that | | | | upstairs. |
| you have adequate home business insurance. | | | | If after all your preparation you still experience some |
| Prepare for the worst by having a Business Continuity | | | | damage contact your insurance company immediately. |
| Plan. Keep regular backups of crucial data and have | | | | Take pictures of any damages before you start |
| plans ready to get your business back on track quickly | | | | tidying up again. If at all possible wait until they have |
| after a mini disaster. Buy basic equipment like torches, | | | | managed to inspect the damage before the big clean |
| batteries & candles and invest in a small fire | | | | up. |
| extinguisher. Keep some rock salt handy in case of | | | | Climate change is happening. There is evidence |
| snow or ice. Make sure all your windows and doors | | | | everywhere. The glaciers are melting, oceans are |
| are sealed properly. If you have an old chimney, make | | | | heating up and we are experiencing higher incidences |
| sure it is still secure and if you do not need it anymore | | | | of extreme weather. In Europe this year records |
| then remove it altogether. | | | | tumbled. Dresden recorded the highest rainfall whilst |
| Get an electrician in to see if any measures can be | | | | France was hit by an unprecedented heatwave in |
| taken to protect you from power disruption or surges. | | | | modern times. Thousands of people died as a direct |
| Simple measures like having the right cable, decent | | | | result of the heatwave. |
| fuse box and power sockets at least 12 inches above | | | | The majority of the world scientists agree that unless |
| floor level could make a huge difference. Ask your | | | | steps are taken now it might become too late to |
| local expert plumber for advice. Check your drains to | | | | reverse it. We might struggle to influence our politicians |
| make sure there are no blockages. You can install non | | | | but by taking some basic steps our businesses can be |
| return valves in your drains and toilets so that water | | | | better prepared for the future. |