• Make sure you do have some kind of power surge protection for your system. Even for the single PC user at home, you should invest in a product that protects your computer from surges through both the power lines and the phone line. However, always remember that most power surge protectors are only designed to protect you from the "normal" fluctuations in power and other minor surges. They usually won't protect you from a major "spike", such as from a lightning strike.

• I wouldn't go so far as to say that you MUST turn your computer off whenever there's a storm, because many of us just don't have the luxury of being able to do that, with businesses to run etc. However, there's no doubt that the risk of damage increases significantly during a storm, so if you are able to switch off your computer during wild weather, you might want to do that.

• What's your insurance like? Have you really thought about it before? A lot of people make the assumption that they are covered for computer damage, but in fact many insurance companies don't pay for computer damage caused by surges. Many insurance companies will only pay if the damage is caused by a direct lightning strike during a storm. Seeing as though the cost of repairs can often run into several hundred dollars (or in our recent case, over a thousand) you want to be really sure NOW that your insurance company would pay. It may be worthwhile running some "what if" scenarios past them to be sure. And shop around if you need to in order to find an insurance company that will give you the cover you need.

• We've discussed this in previous newsletters, but what would the consequences be if your computer was totally damaged and you lost all your data? That means all your emails, all your invoices, your previous work, whatever. Are you backing up properly? Having a back-up system for your computer isn't just for computer nerds - there are back-up systems out there that are very easy to use, and not all that expensive. For small time users, even a simple external drive or CD backup will keep a safe copy of all your data, which can then be reloaded onto your new or repaired computer if and when the unthinkable happens.

• In terms of having computers repaired, I'm sure you know people in your local area who can do that. If not, it's a good idea to get quotes before going ahead. But because you can't usually tell what's wrong with a computer until you open it, you'll often only get a quote for an hourly rate or a call out fee. However, even these can vary significantly between services, so a couple of calls can save you a lot of money per hour of work completed.

This information is only to get your mind thinking about what your particular business might require. Your local specialist computer store is as good a place as any to start.

Contact us for more information on this topic.

Disclaimer: This page is designed to provide information only and is not a substitute for advice that is specific to your business. Before acting on any of the information above it is important you seek further advice from a professional who has taken into consideration the nature and circumstances of your business.

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