Proper preparation will help your business weather any storm. If a storm is approaching your area, ensure the safety of your employees and protect your property by taking these precautions:

• Secure your building.
• Cover windows.
• Cover and move equipment/furniture to a secured area.
• If dependent on data processing, consider an alternate site.
• Make provisions for alternate communications and power.
• Be prepared to work with limited supplies of cash, and be without water, sewer or power for at least two weeks. Store emergency supplies at the office.
• Employee safety comes first! Prepare, distribute and exercise your business hurricane plan for recovery.
• Consider providing shelter to employees and their families and helping with supplies post-storm.
• Establish a rendezvous point and time for employees in case communications are disrupted.
• Establish a call-down procedure for warning and post-storm communications.
• Provide photo IDs and a letter of authorization to enter the building.
• Contact customers and suppliers:
  • Share your communications and recovery plan in advance.
  • Prepare a list of vendors to provide disaster recovery services.
     

Snow safety tips to protect your outside natural gas meters:

Make sure your meter remains visible. After a snow storm, please make sure your natural gas meter is clear of accumulated snow and ice.

• Avoid allowing snow to completely cover your meter.
• Never shovel snow onto or against your meter.
• Use a broom to dust snow away from the meter; do not use a shovel.
• Never tap or hit the meter to knock or break away snow from the meter or gas piping.
• If your meter is completely coated in ice, or you think there is a safety concern with your meter, piping, or equipment, call our 24 hour emergency line at 1-800-233-5325 or call 911.
• Also, remember to keep your eaves and gutters clear and remove icicles hanging from your eaves or gutters.