Are you a new business owner? Your to-do list is probably a million miles long, but it’s important to remember that safety should always come first. Whether you operate in a small garage, office space, or storefront, you should take protecting people and property seriously. If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve compiled some essential safety tips to consider:
What to Look for in the Best Seattle Brokerage
You should always strive to work with the best brokerage agency when looking for a commercial property to buy or lease. Your go-to Seattle brokerage should offer more than just advice to make successful negotiations.
A reliable brokerage should be licensed and experienced to operate in a specific region. Other important characteristics to keep in mind include the following:
- Demonstrate superior local market knowledge
- Eager to represent their clients
- Should be honest and ethical
- Have a strong online presence and tech-savvy
- Work hard to satisfy their clients needs
- Offer ultimate privacy and security for their clients
2. Schedule all necessary professional inspections.
Professional inspections are an important part of keeping your space safe. Whether it’s a plumbing, fire, electrical, or any number of inspection-type, don’t put off scheduling the meeting. For example, a fire inspection can help you understand what changes you need to make to fire sprinkler systems, what fire safety supplies you need to invest in, and how you can prepare your team for any fire emergency. After initial inspections, it’s typically wise to plan on a yearly return inspection to ensure everything is operating properly.
3. Invest in adequate insurance for emergencies.
Insurance can feel like a pretty hefty cost for new business owners, but it’s not something you should forget. In an emergency, insurance can be the difference between recovering quickly or going out of business. There are a number of insurance experts available that can help you find the right coverage for your situation.
4. Create and share an emergency plan.
Emergency education should be a cornerstone of your emergency preparation. Even if you only have a few employees, everyone should know where to access emergency supplies and what to do if an emergency occurs. As you grow, plan to create emergency preparedness committees that are dedicated to both education and preparation. And when you grow to new locations, you may need to modify your plan based on the new space.
5. Purchase public access supplies.
No matter the size of your space, you need to invest in public access safety supplies. As you consider where to put your supplies, consider adding them to high-traffic areas in your space. Make sure they are in an accessible location and aren’t locked away. In an emergency, you will likely not have time to get a key to unlock a first aid kit. Keeping these supplies in an easy-to-reach location ensures that you can provide aid or minimize an emergency quickly.
Always Put Safety First
It can be hard to remember everything that’s on a new business owner’s list. But remember, safety is key! If you’re tight on budget, consider reaching out to fellow business owners to understand their approach to safety. There may also be grants available to individuals like you in need of safety supplies.
