With parts of New Hampshire being vulnerable to earthquakes, it’s important for local business owners to develop and implement earthquake mitigation strategies. Doing so should help enable businesses to keep functioning through, or shortly after an earthquake, while minimizing the risk of injury, loss, and damage.
According to FEMA, earthquakes occur as a result of a stress build-up over time along a fault-line, resulting in sudden movement of rock and ground vibration or shaking. While most quakes are relatively minor and cause little if any damage, all earthquakes are unpredictable.
Severe earthquakes can result in property structural damage, loss of contents, injury and death, and secondary damage such as floods, landslides, tsunamis, damage to roads, power and water distribution lines, and fires.
Business owners need to take steps to protect their assets to continue to provide goods and services and to meet their financial and other obligations. Tips for earthquake preparation include:
• Structural improvements through strengthening the connections between the building’s components and the installation of shear walls.
• Prevention of injuries and internal losses by anchoring shelves to walls, fitting latches on cabinets, and securing computers and other items such as ceiling fans.
• The development of a sound disaster response plan for earthquakes and other perils.
• For financial protection, earthquake, and business coverage from a local insurance company are vital in case of property losses, interruptions to business operations, and extra expense coverage if an alternate premises needs to be utilized following a quake.
Business owners can find out more about earthquake mitigation strategies at FEMA. To find out more about how insurance coverage can provide financial protection for business enterprises, contact us.
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