No matter what time of year it is, weather, natural disasters, fire or any other emergency can impact a business. It's important to know what the biggest risks might be. There are two important components to plan for when putting together a plan: response and recovery.

The harsh winter months can cause roadways to become even more dangerous than they already are. Snow, black ice, and sleet are just some of the potential natural hazards that can lead to unsafe driving conditions. Protect yourself and your car by being proactive and following these winter preparation tips.

Also: Preparing for winter travel

With frigid temperatures upon us, the last thing you need is a faulty heating system, frozen pipes, a broken-down car, or a damaged home with scammers trying to cheat you out of money. Better Business Bureau has the checklist you need to prepare for these situations if any should come about.

You will probably consider many types of insurance through your life. These are the things you should keep in mind when buying any kind of insurance. Make sure to ask specifically about your coverage in case of damage from a winter storm.

Find insurance companies near you by using your Better Business Bureau directory. Get BBB ratings and read consumer reviews and complaints by people in your community.

Winter means dangerous snow, sleet, ice and freezing rain can show up unexpectedly in your area. If you are looking for a snow removal service, your Better Business Bureau has plenty of tips to consider before hiring!

Better Business Bureau encourages people to beware of scammers trying to take advantage of those who need snow removal, especially when more wintry precipitation hits the ground than is expected. Before the pavement freezes or the snow starts piiling up, make certain the contractor is more reliable and predictable than the weather.

For those unable to heat their home or drip their faucets, bursting pipes is a possible, if not likely, scenario during winter storms. Plumbers across the area are busy responding to consumers who need their pipes repaired during a time of crisis, but can be slowed down by extreme weather conditions.

Use caution when hiring a home improvement contractor, especially following a major disaster when many homeowners are trying to repair their homes. However, contractor scams can happen any time, so be wary of high-pressure sales tactics, up front fees, and fly-by-night businesses.

After a disaster or very public tragedy, people want to help in any way possible, and that often means contributing to fundraisers to help the survivors and the families of the victims. Sadly, scammers often take advantage of these moments of vulnerability to deceive donors. 

People often find that the cost of high-demand items skyrockets during times of emergencies such as ice storms, a severe cold snap, power outages, hurricanes, floods or other types of disasters. Better Business Bureau is here to keep you up to date on unfair ans illegal practices.

Better Business Bureau is warning homeowners affected by natural disasters to beware of “storm chasers” and out-of-town contractors soliciting business. Although not all storm chasers are scammers, they may lack the proper licensing for your area, offer quick fixes, or make big promises they can’t deliver.