Fires, floods, pipe bursts and natural disasters can be costly to businesses that are not properly equipped.

Smart business owners should protect occupants while safeguarding business assets and property by installing the appropriate equipment to detect environmental hazards before serious threats arise.

Here are four critical items businesses need for optimal protection against environmental hazards.

1. Water Leak Sensors

Water leak sensors detect accumulated water in areas that are prone to flooding, such as the bathroom or basement. Water damage can lead to costly damage to your inventory and flooring.

Leaks can occur due to any of the following situations:

  • Cracked or broken water pipes.
  • Flooding.
  • Inadequate drainage.
  • Loose pipe connections.

Receive mobile notification when excess water has been detected. These real-time alerts allow you to respond promptly to avoid further damage.

2. Low Temperature Sensors

Frozen pipes pose the biggest risk for property damage when temperatures drop, and can lead to costly repairs. To mitigate the chance of a pipe bursting, install low temperature sensors that alert you when the temperature falls below 45°F. The freezing point of water is 32°F, so these sensors reduce the chance of pipes bursting due to cold conditions.

3. Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Though invisible, carbon monoxide can pose serious health risks to employees and customers. It can lead to loss of muscle coordination, loss of consciousness or even death if left undetected. Ensure hazards are identified quickly by installing carbon monoxide detectors to alert you when levels are elevated.

Should an alarm sound, your security provider’s Monitoring Center will dispatch emergency personnel. In the meantime, you can take the following safety precautions to avoid future complications:

  • Look for any symptoms such as nausea, shortness of breath or headaches.
  • Immediately move to a space with fresh air.
  • Open windows and doors to ventilate.
  • Identify the source of carbon monoxide before re-entry.

4. An Emergency Plan

Have an emergency plan in place in the case of an issue that requires immediate action, such as a strong storm, earthquake or blizzard. Some proactive steps you can take to ensure your business is prepared for any situation include:

  • Consider your geographic location. Understand what environmental hazards pose the biggest risk to your business and plan accordingly.
  • Supply necessary first aid equipment. Stock fire extinguishers, bandages, automated external defibrillators (AEDs), any shelter-in-place items or any other safety equipment you might need.
  • Appoint a first aid team. Assemble a group of CPR-certified and first aid-trained employees to tend to those in need until help arrives.
  • Prepare a continuity plan. Understand the impact of an environmental hazard on your business and create a working plan should an emergency occur.

Identifying environmental hazards that pose the biggest threat to your business early on will help you install better security features to safeguard your most valuable assets.

Ensure full protection of your business from environmental hazards by contacting a reliable security provider to properly install and monitor safety equipment.