Winter Safety Tips for Small Businesses

As a business owner, the last thing you want is unpredictable weather disrupting your operations. Don’t wait for the snowstorms to hit – take action now to protect your business from cold-weather risks. By preparing in advance, you can keep your team, customers, and equipment safe all season long. Continue reading for tips on how to protect your business this winter:

5 Winter Tips for Your Business

1. Prepare Your Outdoor Areas

It is important to ensure that all outdoor areas around your business are free of hazards and ready for the potential freeze. In the U.S., the National Safety Council reports that “slips, trips, and falls account for roughly 20% of all workplace injuries”, with accidents increasing during the winter months due to ice and snow.

Salting walkways, applying de-icer, and shoveling snow are simple, yet effective ways to keep people safe. Whether your business operates entirely outdoors (or your employees and customers are simply rushing from the parking lot into the office) make sure all surrounding areas are safely maintained.

Pro Tip: Invest in warning signs, no-slip door mats, and de-icing materials ahead of time to protect both customers and employees, alerting them of any potential hazards.

Coverage to Consider: If an employee or customer slips or falls on walkways, your general liability or workers' compensation coverage can help you stay protected against costly medical claims or lawsuits. Maintaining safe outdoor areas can also help reduce your insurance premiums by minimizing claims. 

2. Keep Outdoor Equipment and Inventory Safe

If your business relies on outdoor spaces for housing machinery, keeping inventory, transporting goods, or storing tools, it’s important to winterize any valuable assets to prevent damage. In 2022, it was reported that ​​”winter storms caused nearly $6 billion in insured losses, the second-highest in the last ten years” (Insurance Information Institute, 2024). 

Be sure to properly store equipment that won’t be in use, and for machinery or vehicles being used in snow and ice, consider adding snow tires and using anti-freeze products to ensure they function properly throughout the winter. Stay ahead of the curve and protect your business with winterizing precautions today.

Pro Tip: Create a detailed storage and maintenance manual that outlines the proper steps for securing and maintaining your outdoor equipment.

Coverage to Consider: Damage to equipment or inventory from freezing temperatures, snow, or ice may be covered under commercial property insurance. However, proper maintenance and winterization may be required to prevent denied claims. Ensuring adequate coverage and taking preventative measures can save your business from costly replacements.

3. Maintain Heating and Insulation Systems

As temperatures drop, ensuring your workplace is properly heated and insulated is vital for employee comfort, property protection, and minimizing potential insurance claims. A well-maintained HVAC system and effective insulation help prevent costly repairs from freezing temperatures. Before winter, schedule an HVAC inspection to ensure it’s running efficiently. Clean filters and check the insulation around windows, doors, and pipes to prevent heat loss and avoid frozen pipes or system failures.

While heating costs can be a major concern, regular maintenance of your HVAC system can actually save you money over time. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that “properly maintaining your HVAC system can reduce heating costs by up to 30% annually”. 

Pro Tip: Install a programmable thermostat to gain better control over your heating costs. Set it to lower the temperature after hours or when your business is closed to save on energy bills without sacrificing comfort. And if you're away on business or vacation, you can adjust it remotely to keep your pipes from freezing!

Coverage to Consider: Having commercial property insurance and equipment breakdown coverage ensures that your business is financially protected if your systems fail despite maintenance efforts. Proper upkeep may also reduce the likelihood of property damage claims and business interruptions during the colder months.

4. Prepare for Internal Emergencies

Winter weather can bring unexpected power outages, especially during snowstorms or freezing temperatures. The American Red Cross found that 80% of small businesses do not have a disaster recovery plan in place, or have backup power systems. Make sure you have emergency tools, like flashlights, generators, and emergency kits, and make sure your team knows how to access and use them when needed.

Pro Tip: Test backup generators regularly and stock up on essential supplies like flashlights, batteries, and non-perishable food items, so you're prepared for any disruptions.

Coverage to Consider: When it comes to power outages and unexpected emergencies, business interruption insurance can help cover the lost revenue during unplanned closures, and equipment breakdown insurance can help with repairs to your backup systems if they fail.

5. Educate Yourself and Staff

Does your business have a winter emergency preparedness plan in place? Are your employees trained on how to operate backup generators, use anti-freeze products safely, and dress appropriately for cold weather? According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), businesses that invest in safety training can reduce their injury and illness rates by as much as 20-40%. 

Winter conditions can quickly turn hazardous, which is why all businesses should take the necessary precautions to protect themselves. For businesses looking for emergency preparedness support, access the American Red Cross’s free emergency readiness program, Ready Rating, to ensure your business is well protected.

Pro Tip: Hold a winter safety seminar to review your emergency plans, teach staff how to handle winter-specific hazards, and provide tips on staying safe in the cold. 

Coverage to Consider: Training your staff reduces the likelihood of workplace injuries, which can lower your worker’s compensation insurance premiums. Additionally, demonstrating proactive safety measures can make your business more attractive to insurers, potentially leading to better rates. 

We’re Here to Make Sure You’re Winter-Ready!

Winter-related damages can be costly and time-consuming to repair, and oftentimes, businesses find themselves without coverage when it is too late. For those unforeseen events that are out of your control, our team at Valentine ensures you’re properly covered. 

Contact Valentine Insurance Services today to discuss your needs and get started with commercial coverage that will protect your business and employees this winter.