9 Tips for keeping your small to medium sized business safe this Easter
Are you planning to take some time away this Easter? Perhaps your employees are working remotely while the office is closed? Either way, you’ll need to consider some important things to keep your business safe and secure before you shut the door behind you.
What can happen while you’re away?
If you’re running a small business, chances are that you have to operate in a lean manner. Every piece of equipment and building cost has a weighted impact on overall financial operations.
Many things can go wrong and threaten the safety of your assets while no one’s there. Security issues include:
- Organised burglary that can wipe out stock or equipment
- Graffiti and vandalism to the building and equipment
- Arson that can ruin the property and everything inside
- Vagrancy inside your office
- Safety and damage issues, such as water leaks or temperature changes
- Illegal dumping of unwanted items or waste.
These issues have the potential to quickly turn into a complex and sticky situation. A water leak might lead to short circuits that heat up wires and cause an electrical fire. A person intruding the building could snoop around and keep personally identifiable information for future crimes.
How you can protect your business during Easter
Easter is upon us and although it will be different this year, it’s still a time for family and friends and a well-earned break after a difficult 2020. As staff leave take annual leave and businesses operate on skeleton staff or no staff at all, Easter presents thieves with a window of opportunity and a lower chance of being detected.
So, what can you do to prevent break-ins and loss of stock? Luckily there are a number of tactics you can implement, let’s take a look:
1. Test all of your security equipment
Be sure to test your fire alarms, security cameras and access control system, so you know they’re working and reporting properly.
By doing this well before Easter, you’ll allow for time to make any needed adjustments or repairs.
2. Make sure your business is properly locked and armed.
If you’ll be gone for an extended period of time, checking every exterior door to make sure they’re locked and secured prior to departing is key.
If you have an access control system, be sure that any schedules set to automatically open doors on specific days and times are overridden during your absence, so the building is not unlocked and unattended during Easter.
3. Conducting random patrols
Having a check in at intervals during the day or night, or a combination of both using a mobile patrol service can deter intruders. It also ensures regular updates from your business.
4. Security signage
It’s important to be able to display that your business is being protected by a security company. Signs for fences or window stickers serve as effective visual deterrents for illegal activity.
5. Alarm responses
Having a Monitored alarm systems and checking on your business if an alarm is triggered is key. Having a patrol service visit the site to investigate further issues and send a detailed report to you is even better.
6. Management of issues
Sometimes there’s issues that won’t trigger an alarm, such as a broken water main or broken window. Using Wilson Security patrols, the incident will be reported.
7. Be aware of what can be seen through the windows of your business.
When you’re closed during Easter, be aware of what can be seen inside your business from the street or sidewalk. Don’t show too much merchandise, equipment or other high-value items near the windows of your business. This not only tempts thieves but can also make it easier for them to do a smash-and-grab.
8. Sufficient Lighting
Lighting is your first line of defense as it ensures a clear visual of would-be intruders. A well-lit site is less attractive to thieves than one with shadows and dark spots. Sufficient lighting also makes it difficult for thieves to stake out a business. Take the time to assess the lighting around the perimeter of your site or property.
9. Security escort services
During Easter you may have skeleton staff on shift. To ensure your staff are protected, having an escort service ensures your staff are safe and are escorted between locations such as the office and their car.
A smart choice for small businesses
Making a decision when running a small business can be tough, especially when you realise just how much can happen when you’re away. Wilson Security have a range of solutions to support businesses stay safe.
Get in touch with us today to learn about how we can strengthen your security.
