10 Restaurant Emergencies and How to Handle Them

Running a restaurant is a challenging and demanding job. There are so many things that can go wrong, and when they do, it’s important to know how to handle them. Here are 10 common restaurant emergencies and how to deal with them:
- Fire. If there is a fire in your restaurant, evacuate the building immediately and call the fire department. Do not try to put out the fire yourself. Make sure all employees and customers are safe and accounted for before re-entering the building.
- Flood. If your restaurant floods, turn off all power to the building and evacuate immediately. Do not try to clean up the flood yourself. Wait for the water to recede and then call a professional cleaning service to come in and clean up the mess.
- Gas Leak. If you smell gas, evacuate the building immediately and call the gas company. Do not try to fix the leak yourself. Wait for the gas company to arrive and repair the leak before re-entering the building. You may need to have the building ventilated before it is safe to enter.
- Power Outage. If there is a power outage, turn off all appliances and lights. candlelight or lanterns for lighting. Do not use candles in areas where there is a lot of foot traffic or near flammable materials. If the power is out for an extended period of time, you may need to throw away any food that has thawed or is approaching its expiration date.
- Plumbing Problem. If a toilet overflows or there is a sewage backup, do not try to clean it up yourself. Turn off the water to the affected area and call a plumber. If the problem is not resolved quickly, you may need to evacuate the building.
- Pest Infestation. If you have a pest infestation, do not try to exterminate the pests yourself. Call a professional exterminator to come in and take care of the problem. Make sure all food is properly stored and sealed so that the pests cannot get to it.
- Weather Emergency. If a severe weather emergency, such as a hurricane, tornado, or blizzard, is heading your way, make sure all employees and customers are safe and accounted for. Close the restaurant and wait out the storm in a safe location. Do not try to open the restaurant until the weather has cleared and it is safe to do so.
- Bomb Threat. If you receive a bomb threat, evacuate the building immediately and call the police. Do not try to investigate the threat yourself. Wait for the police to arrive and handle the situation.
- Robbery. If your restaurant is robbed, stay calm and try to get a description of the robber. Do not try to chase after the robber or stop them yourself. Call the police and let them handle it.
- Appliance malfunction. If one of your restaurant’s appliances, such as the stove or refrigerator, malfunctions, turn it off immediately and call an appliance repairman from Salt Lake City or wherever you are. Do not try to fix the problem yourself. Wait for the repairman to arrive and fix the appliance before using it again.
By following these tips, you can hopefully avoid or properly handle any emergencies that may occur in your restaurant.