The impact of hurricanes and other natural disasters on businesses and companies has been brought home by the devastation wreaked by the recent hurricanes Dean and Felix in the southern Caribbean and Central America region.

But there are a number of simple steps companies can take to safeguard their properties and staff in advance of a storm striking, according to Jake Dubbins, evacuation consultant and charity worker for Humanitarian Operations (HOPE).

These include:

• Review the company's insurance policy and make sure it provides adequate cover.

• Identify and protect vital records and electronic equipment, back up all of the key files and store them in a safe place.

• Select a 'hurricane staff' that will stay at the company's premises during a Category 1, 2 or 3 Hurricane and identify a safe room where a hurricane supply kit will be stored.

• Have a 24-hour emergency contact list with the phone numbers of key employees and give each contact person the names, addresses and phone numbers of employees in their department and set up an overseas telephone number so employees can call to check in and receive information.

• Employees should be informed when they'll be released from work and when they should return and they should have enough time to secure their homes and, if necessary, move their families to a shelter.

• Many employees may need money immediately after the storm so business leaders should consider paying them before they leave to prepare their homes and may choose to have extra cash and blank cheques available in case they are needed after the storm.

• Review the evacuation plans for staff and their dependents in the event that a Category 4 or 5 hurricane is threatening the Island.

Prior to a hurricane striking, Mr. Dubbins said that the reality is not everyone can build a hurricane-proof offices and even a building capable of withstanding 150 mph winds is still susceptible to flying debris and sea surges.

"This doesn't mean that you have to resign yourself to losing everything," he said.

"We recommend that buildings should be constructed or adapted to cope with a Category 1, 2 or 3 Hurricane. When faced with the full force of anything stronger, staying in place isn't sensible and expecting your home to be unaffected is hoping for the best."

The practicalities of protecting your property from a sea surge are very difficult unless you are building on high ground, Mr. Dubbins admitted, but protection against high winds can be improved by focusing on parts of the building such as shutters and roof tiles to stop the wind entering the property and subsequent rise in pressure, which in turn can cause destruction.

There are several shutters which are recommended for the job, including European rolling shutters, which allow people with restricted movement to prepare for the onslaught of a hurricane without having to step outside and to be independent, and Colonial wooden shutters, which can be manually closed from outside and have a bar put across them, and which have stood up well to storms in the British West Indies and elsewhere in the Caribbean, he said.

Mr. Dubbins said the severity of the hurricane may be the deciding factor in whether to stay in place or evacuate in the event of a storm hitting, claiming that many people will consider staying or seeking refuge when faced with a Category 1, 2 or 3 Hurricane, meaning that flights are easier to come by for evacuees, but those remaining are at risk if their property has not got a floor 15 feet above sea level or they do not have a properly stocked hurricane kit.

But staying during a Category 4 or 5 Hurricane is extremely dangerous, he said, with the risk of flooding or complete submergence increasing for people staying in property lower than 25 feet above sea level, and the only viable option to evacuate by air to destinations with a large number of hotel rooms and connecting flights.

In the event that you stay in a Category 1, 2 or 3 Hurricane, Mr. Dubbins said there are four easy survival tips including the use of a hurricane supply kit, the scanning and safe storage of important documents, photographs or pictures, preparation before the hurricane strikes and what to do during and after it hits.

Mr. Dubbins said the hurricane supply kit will help you get through and minimise the effect of the hurricane on you and to avoid relying on help or damaged or disrupted facilities.

It should contain:

• Water.

• Food (cans, staples, high energy, baby food, special dietary needs).

• Kitchen items (can opener, knife, cups, plates, utensils).

• Medical kit (medication, pain killers, anti-diarrhoea, vitamins, insect repellent).

• Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, toilet paper).

• Clothing and bedding (shoes, waterproof, hats, gloves, sleeping bag).

• Baby items (formula, bottles, powdered milk, wipes, diapers).

• Documentation (passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate, driver's license, emergency contacts).

• Tools (batteries, flashlight, pliers, crowbar, nails).

He recommends scanning images of documents, photographs and pictures onto two replica DVDs including some photographic ID and they can be kept in sealed envelopes in a fire and water-proof safe with HOPE's Safe Storage Service and are evacuated prior to the hurricane striking.

For further information about how to prepare your business in the event of a hurricane or natural disaster contact Jake Dubbins on 1-242 362 0025, email jake.hope[AT]coralwave.com or visit HOPE's website at www.humanitarianoperations.com