Emergency Supplies List For Businesses

A part of overall restaurant safety is to ensure that you have a business disaster plan in place to help protect your employees and customers in the event of an emergency. Whether it's a fire, an extended power outage, or a natural disaster, having the proper emergency supplies available can sometimes impact survival. Being properly prepared can even affect the overall success of your business after the emergency has passed. We have created an emergency supplies checklist to help your business prepare for unpredictable circumstances.

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Click below for a downloadable emergency preparedness supplies checklist:

Download our Emergency Supplies Checklist PDF

Emergency Supplies

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, urges business owners to stock up on appropriate emergency supplies along with assembling a survival kit for their workplace in order to keep employees safe. You’ll want items that can alert you of emergencies when they happen, as well as items that can get the attention of rescue teams if necessary. Having a list of emergency supplies for survival available can help you prepare before a crisis occurs.

• Emergency Lighting
• Exit Signs
• Building Map with Clearly Marked Exits
• Fire Extinguishers
• Smoke Alarms
• Portable Gas Stoves
• Chafing Dish Fuel
• Commercial Generators
• Flashlights
• Light Sticks
• Flares
• Whistle
• Spare Cell Phone
• Spare Keys
• Portable Hand-Cranked or Battery-Powered Radio (with access to weather alerts from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration)

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First Aid Supplies

First aid items are an essential part of any survival kit checklist. Having the ability to treat minor injuries during a crisis can help keep your employees safe and calm.

While standard first aid kits don’t require an AED (automated external defibrillator), keeping one on-hand could save someone's life if a cardiac emergency arises. You may also ask your employees to bring a few days worth of their daily prescription medications that they can secure in their desks in case they are unable to leave the premises in the event of an emergency.

• Sturdy First Aid Bag or Case
• Sterile Gauze Pads
• Alcohol Wipes
• Bandages
• Sterile Gloves
• Antiseptic Lotion
• Burn Ointment
• Pain Reliever and Fever Reducers
• Antihistamines
• Thermometer
• Scissors
• Tweezes
• Eye Wash Solution

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Food and Water

During some weather-related emergencies, it is possible that roads may not be clear or safe for the people in your establishment to head home. This makes stocking up on food and water vital to disaster planning. When putting together your disaster supplies list, be sure to add enough water to provide one gallon per person for at least 3 days.

Choose non-perishable food items that have a long shelf life and are high in energy. Along with non-perishable food items, your food stores should include options that do not require cooking and that will not induce thirst. Plan to provide food for your present employees and customers for 3 days. You’ll want to keep your emergency food supplies separate from your restaurant’s daily food stock in the organization of your storeroom. Be sure to also stock up on disposable plates and utensils for your employees to use as part of your emergency food supply list.

• Bottled Water
• Canned Vegetables
• Canned and Dried Fruits
• Canned and Jerky Meats
• Grains and Beans
• Rice
• Nuts
• Peanut Butter
• Jams and Jellies
• Cereal Bars

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Tools

Be sure to stock up on a variety of tools for your business so you can perform emergency tasks, such as repairing damaged items, shutting off water and gas valves, or cutting away at obstructive metal.

• Wrenches
• Pliers
• Multi-Tool Pocket Knives
• Hammers
• Nails
• Crowbar
• Scissors
• Duct Tape
• Rope or Bungee Cords
• Matches and Lighters
• Plastic Tarps
• Light Bulbs
• Batteries
• Chargers
• Water Filters
• Water Purification Tablets
• Chlorine Bleach and an Eye Dropper (use 16 drops of unscented bleach to purify one gallon of water)

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Safety Apparel

To keep your employees safe during a crisis, it’s important to have some safety gear stored away that can protect them from debris and other environmental elements. You may ask employees to keep some apparel, such as a pair of sturdy shoes and an extra jacket, at the office as part of your business emergency preparedness plan.

• Hard Hats
• Protective Safety Glasses
• Respirators and Dust Masks (a cotton t-shirt over the mouth and nose can also be used for air filtration in dusty conditions)
• Protective Clothing
• Gloves
• Sturdy Boots
• Thermal Blankets
• Rain Ponchos
• Sleeping Bags

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Storage Supplies

Once you have your emergency items together, you will want to store them in a cool dry place. Invest in some storage supplies that can protect your items when they are not in use and make them easy to find. Be sure to let all of your employees know ahead of time where the disaster supplies are located. You can also keep a pen, pencil, and permanent marker with these items to easily make notes on bins and bags.

• Ingredient Bins
• Bulk Food Storage Containers
• Seismic Shelving Units
• Plastic Freezer Bags
• Contractor Trash Bags

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Hygiene Supplies

Maintaining sanitary conditions during a crisis situation can help prevent the spread of disease and sickness. Prepare for emergency situations where people are stranded in your building by having some spare hygiene supplies available.

• Hand Soap
• Antibacterial Wipes
• Moist Towelettes
• Paper Towels
• Toilet Paper
• Garbage Bags
• Disinfectant Sprays
• Hand Sanitizer
• Tooth Brushes
• Tooth Paste
• Feminine Products

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Company Documents

Quickly recover after a disaster by keeping copies of vital company documents in a fireproof and waterproof portable box. Be sure to archive them digitally at an offsite location as well. Store some additional paper with these items in the event that notes need to be written down during an emergency situation.

• Bank Statement
• Insurance Policies
• Tax Returns
• Employee ID Information
• Client Files
• Emergency Contact Numbers
• Building Maps
• Maps of Local Area

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Keeping Your Disaster Preparedness Supplies Ready

After you have collected your disaster preparedness supplies, you’ll need to create a schedule for maintaining it to ensure that the items are not expired if an emergency does occur. Follow these tips to guarantee that your kit is ready for action when needed.

• Update water bottles and food items every 6 months
• Regularly inspect first aid items for approaching expiration dates
• Rotate out sanitation materials once a year
• Check batteries for a charge, replace any dead batteries
• Turn on radios, light sticks, and other electronic to ensure they still work
• Add supplies to your kit as you hire new employees to properly accommodate all of your team members in a crisis.

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The best way to ensure that your emergency supplies kit is useful is to provide your employees with the proper safety training. Review your business emergency preparedness plan with them every six months, schedule regular drills, and assign out roles and responsibilities for each person to perform during a crisis. It is important for employees to know the location of your survival supplies, what is in the kit, and how to use the items. Refer to this emergency supplies list to get your business closer to being prepared for any disaster situation that may come your way.