It’s October already. The coming of –ber months marks a significant change in the country’s climate. You know what this means: Hitting the hay at night is heaven and getting up in the morning for school or work is going to be so much harder than it already is. You just want to stay in bed for life. But we all know that’s not going to happen in a million years.

Also, as a part of the major suffering known as global warming, the Philippines has been experiencing a lot of natural disasters, with the most recent being Typhoon Lando which devastated most of our countrymen up in the north. As a result, properties were damaged and lives were gone. It’s a tragic story, but that’s life. We will all experience that at some point in our lives. But being prepared goes a long way.

Not only are the lives and properties of people affected when the force of nature strikes. Businesses suffer too. Shipments are delayed. Cargo deliveries are postponed. Economy is affected. Nothing is safe.

With October here, November next and December soon, the low temperature may have an unfavorable impact on the quality of products stored in warehouses as inventory. Prevention is better than cure. Get ahead on everything and heed on these tips to protect your warehouse in the months to come.

1. Seal your storage space.

Making sure that your storage areas are sealed to the highest possible level is one of the most important if not the most important step in taking care of your inventories. In fact, even if it’s not a –ber month, a warehouse manager must always ensure that the area to store the inventories and products are sealed and are not susceptible to any kind of outside force, such as rain and floods, even nearby trees that could be blown away by ghastly winds.

Sealing the storage space involves sealing the door frames and windows. Taking care not to leave any space where wind or rain or water will seep through. Also check the insulation of your warehouse. You might want to insulate your doors if they are of age. Moving inventory is advisable if the current storage area is visibly prone to complications. Just make sure that inventories are moved in a stable place or container, such as in steel racks or use a light duty racking system to assure that the products’ quality will not be compromised.

2. Get rid of highly flammable materials.

Warehouses should always prioritize safety. And one of the most devastating forces that could ultimately put your business in jeopardy is fire, especially if the inventories in your warehouses are flammable. In this case, ceramic heaters may be used to warm the storage area, or move inventories to a space where the products will not be thoroughly affected by the climate. It’s also wise to keep the areas free from dust and other particles.

3. Hire third-party warehousing business.

This is particularly suitable for small businesses. Third-party warehouses will manage discipline over your storage, inventories, and orders and see through the process step by step. In choosing a warehouse, always consider the structure of the warehouse. Will your inventory be safe? Is it prone to accidents? Is it properly insulated? Also, consider the warehouse racking system of the warehouse. Make sure it is made of sturdy material, such as steel racks and light duty racks.

So there you have it. Take note of these tips so you will have little to no problem if the time comes. Remember that it is best to be prepared rather than penitent. After all, prevention is better than cure. Especially when the stakes are high.