New England sees its fair share of emergencies caused by severe weather. Severe flooding probably tops the list, given the many hundreds of millions of dollars in damage caused each time. Next are hurricanes, with more than 60 of them battering New England since it began keeping records. (The first hurricane on record occurred in 1635.) Severe winter storms and blizzards, tornadoes, thunderstorms, and lightning affect all parts of the region. And yes, there have been earthquakes, several with a magnitude of 6.0 or higher.

In these extreme situations, first aid becomes critical to the entire community. However, in the workplace incidents that require first aid can be quite common. Preparation is key. In any work environment, first aid can become a serious issue at a moment's notice. If you own a business in New Hampshire, whether it be a chemical plant or a grocery store, you should have contingency plans in place in case of an emergency. Having a staff well-trained in first aid can mean the difference between an injury and a tragedy.

There are accredited safety schools that offer classes in all types of emergency response. They can help your workplace fully comply with all Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, which is required for many plant facilities. Classes cover the fundamentals of CPR and first aid. Some services provide on-site training.

Despite the initial cost, putting a comprehensive safety network in place could save you and your business money in the long run. Lawsuits due to ineffective safety measures can be damaging to your business in more ways than one. It is not just your bottom line that is at stake but your business's reputation, which is critical to its health in the long run.