From bursting pipes to frozen locks, Cintas identifies simple ways you can avoid the impact of winter 

To keep winter outside your store, Cintas offers the following preparedness checklist:

1. Seal cracks and fix broken windows – Properly insulating your store can not only help offset high heating costs, it can help prevent against frozen pipes when your store is closed for a long period of time or exposed to extremely cold temperatures. Seal any cracks alongside windows, doors or walls and repair any broken windows to prevent cold air from entering the building.
2. Protect floors – Hard and soft floor surfaces can take a beating during winter, due to the large amount of water, sand and salt used when removing snow. Protect floors by implementing a mat program that includes a blend of exterior matting outside entryways and interior mats that capture water and contaminants inside the building. Regularly launder mats so they work to their full potential. You can also place mops near entryways to eliminate puddles from snow tracked in by patrons.
3. Stock up on first-aid supplies – Cuts, bruises and pains resulting from slips and falls or other wintertime activities can impact employees or patrons. Stocking up on first-aid supplies will keep your store prepared for common first-aid emergencies in any weather, helping reduce the overall impact of an injury.
4. Review emergency preparedness plans – Depending on the location of the store, winter can present a variety of emergency situations including snow and ice storms, electricity outages and closures. In addition to reviewing protocols such as turning off gas or electric, make sure partners are still in business and can perform the scope of work highlighted in your plan. Have a checklist available so team members can mark off each responsibility once it’s been completed.
5. Stock up on ice-melt products – In the midst of record snowfalls last year, many suppliers of ice and snow removal products ran into shortages. To help keep parking lots and walkways clear through a long winter and excessive snow accumulation, make sure your store has access to an adequate supply of sand and or ice-melt product.
6. Prepare for frozen locks and doors – Frigid temperatures, sleet and snow can cause doors and locks to freeze, so have a plan in place to fix locks that seize or break during the winter. When the de-icer doesn’t work and you’re unable to open your doors for business, make sure you have a door repair technician available that you can call in an emergency situation.

For more info on Cintas services, please visit www.cintas.com/managedsolutions.