By Paula Whitenight
In terms of weather, 2011 has quickly become a year for the record books. There doesn’t appear to be an area of the country that hasn’t experienced some type of extreme, record-setting climate condition. Hurricane season hasn’t even arrived, yet from coast to coast we've seen everything from frigid cold and record snowfall to unseasonable heat. Paired with the unimaginable flooding and devastating tornado activity of the recent past, it makes you stop and wonder; if something happens to me or my business, am I really prepared?
We like to think we are, but without a good plan and real understanding of what you have, it’s easy to fall short when finding yourself faced with disaster. As a business owner, it only makes sense to have procedures in place ahead of time so when the sirens sound, you and your employees know exactly what to do to keep everyone as safe as possible while “weathering the storm.”
Given recent events, what better time to get with your staff regarding the safety procedures in your business? How you and your employees react when faced with fire, violent weather – or even a dissatisfied customer (often much more wrathful than Mother Nature!) – should be discussed ahead of time. Every staff member needs to be fully aware of your company’s plan for minimizing potential damage to your business. As we have seen, weather conditions change very quickly and reaction time can be critical for you, the staff and your customers. Keep a safety procedure handbook readily available for quick review if needed.
Check to be sure adequate surge protectors are being used and are in good working order for all of your electrical equipment, tanning units and computers. If in doubt, check with your electrician to be sure you have the right product in place. This simple and inexpensive step could save you from damage to your equipment, eliminating downtime caused by power outage, electrical surging or lightning strikes.
Maintaining an awareness of changing elements around you and making the proper corrections when things change are instrumental in keeping everyone safe in your salon. If it starts raining, watch for wet areas in the entrance and walkways which can cause slippery conditions for your customers. When faced with inclement weather, a predetermined plan of action will help your staff remain calm and confident, moving everyone to the safest area of your business until the danger passes.
This is also an excellent time to review your insurance policy(s) to ensure you have adequate coverage and limits that will allow you to repair and rebuild your business in case of a loss, no matter how small or large.
Your policy limits and coverage should be discussed with your agent annually, and again anytime you make a change to your business. Be sure to be honest about the values of your equipment, furniture & fixtures, and what the real cost is to rebuild your salon. In today’s economy, real estate values are down; however the cost of materials, construction and labor are still high and need to be included in the value you place on your salon. Read your lease and be aware of what you are responsible for, including the value of your plate glass and HVAC units. Underestimating the limits of your business insurance is dangerous and could leave you underinsured and unable to rebuild your salon or maintain your business obligations. This is no place to find yourself when trying to recover from a loss.
You need to understand your insurance coverage, and if you don't, ask questions. One policy does not cover everything. For instance, if you are located in a flood area, you need to purchase a flood insurance policy. Flood is not automatically covered in your business insurance. If you offer other services within your salon, advise your agent so they can properly underwrite your insurance policy.
Remember, this is your business. Keeping the lines of communication open with your insurance agent will help ensure you won’t have any surprises if faced with a claim.
Paula Whitenight is the tanning salon program manager for Universal Insurance, which has been serving professionals in the indoor tanning industry since 1993. For a competitive, personalized quote or additional information about Universal’s exclusive Tanning Salon program, call 800.844.2101 or visit www.uitanning.com .
