You’ve seen the television ads.

In Canada, the federal government is encouraging families to be prepared for emergencies by having enough food, water and other supplies for 72 hours in case of weather disasters or other emergencies like black outs. You can find information at www.getprepared.ca

In the United States, the program is called Ready America — www.ready.gov — and it includes not only an emergency plan that people can implement in their homes but a plan for businesses. Every business should have an emergency plan, the site advises. (pull)“It can save lives, assets and your entire business”.(/pull)

Good advice, no doubt, but beyond the disasters that affect a whole community, small businesses — whether you’re one guy with three employees or an independent consultant working out of your home office — need a plan to deal with individual disasters.

First, and foremost, you need to protect your data and records. The day you open your office door to find that your computer has been stolen, you’ll wish you had a safe, off site back up system in place. Back up will also protect you from computer failure.

Second, you have to protect your clients by having a fallback plan that will ensure their work is completed if you fall off the ski lift or need gall bladder surgery. Call together a group of people who do the same thing as you do and create an informal mutual support network. Be sure you pick people who are going to give your clients back when you’re back in business!

Third, do you know what to do if your workspace floods? If there’s an interruption in your power? If the air conditioning or heat quits? Make a list of resources that can help you if the time comes.

Finally, a 72-hour emergency kit just like the home in your home should be in place in your workplace, sufficient for you and your employees. In some extreme emergencies, you may have to “shelter-in-place” and not go home. If anyone on your staff is disabled, be sure you’re prepared for their special needs.

Sharon Airhart is a Toronto-based writer and editor who has been successfully self-employed for more than a decade. Her clients include governments, corporations and not-for-profit organizations and charities. After leaving her "first" career as a journalist, she was a Communications Director before launching a freelance career as a writer, reviewer, editor and communications consultant.