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Lack of security isn’t just a problem for you. It can also be somewhat distressing for your employees. If you want to make sure that lack of security doesn’t end up putting holes in your business, then this is the safety guide for you. Take a look below to find out more about that.
Lockout any Intruders
This may sound obvious, but you have to make sure that you install suitable locks for your business. Sometimes certain locks are required if you want to be covered by your insurance company in the event of a break-in. It is wise to make sure that you are aware of this and that you check your own policy too. If you don’t know what to look for in a good lock, then try and find a five-mortice deadlock. This is generally recommended. Remember that you have to lock your business premises every single time you leave it unoccupied. If you don’t then you may end up putting your business at more risk than you realize. If you have a good lock but you have had a break-in previously, then you can ask your insurance company to pay out for any damages. If they are refusing to do this then you can hire some insurance claim attorneys.
Don’t forget about the Doors and Windows
If you want to keep your business safe, then you need to try and avoid glass doors if possible. Glass doors tend to be the easiest to break into and even though they can be strengthened, they are still not as secure as the other door options that are out there. For your windows, you have to make sure that they are closed and locked whenever you leave the premises. If you know that you keep leaving your windows open for ventilation purposes, then consider having some security bars put up so that you can avoid putting your business at risk.
Secure the Area
If you have some kind of external boundary, such as a wall or even a fence then you have to make sure that it is enough to keep people out. You also need to think about taking things to that next level by adding some barbed wire or even some security lights. If you have ladders or wheelie bins near to your premises, then keep them away from the fence as this could give a criminal the boost that they need to gain access to your property. If you live in a built-up area, then you can illuminate the point of entry by using some motion-sensor lights.
Security Systems
It truly goes without saying that your company should have a good alarm system. There are many types for you to choose from but one thing that you have to decide on is if you want to go for a monitored alarm or if you want to go for something more standard. The great thing about a monitored alarm is that it will alert the nominated person and the police when the alarm goes off. This will give you an extra layer of protection and it will also help you to safeguard your business if you have a lot of valuables.
CCTV
As well as having some kind of alarm system, it is a good idea for you to have CCTV as well. This can be set up with a motion sensor so that it comes on when someone is near. Security lighting can also be a deterrent as it can scare off anyone who is trying to break into your business at night. When buying a CCTV system it is a good idea for you to make sure that you have it set up with night vision. Relying on an external light source might seem logical at first, but if someone was to break the bulb then they would easily be able to carry out the rest of their criminal activity without any concern. So having a surveillance system is a good idea, but at the end of the day, you need to make sure that you are following any data protection laws if possible. If you have footage of the person committing a crime, then you need to make sure that you are storing this data properly or you may end up committing a crime yourself.
Establish a Clear Procedure
Visitor access to your company has to be controlled and regulated. If you work in an office environment, then you may want to have some kind of sign-in process. Many offices have a turnstile or even speed gate so that anyone who is authorized can either enter or exit the building with ease. You also need to think about who is going to be responsible for locking up the business at the end of the day. Are you going to have a single employee do it, or are you going to give the responsibility to multiple employees? You may need to take on additional resources to keep your property safe and you may even want to think about hiring security personnel as well. Believe it or not, having a receptionist at the front of your building can also help you to ensure that your business stays safe, and you would be surprised at how much of a deterrent this can be.
Don’t Keep Valuables on Show
Be careful about having any kind of valuable items on show. If you have expensive business tools in full view, then you may need to move them. Laptops are very easy for you to hide from any prying eyes, so make the effort to look at potential risks such as this if you can. If you know that you handle a lot of cash on the premises, then do your bit to keep it to a minimum. Also, ensure that your employees know how to handle the cash sensibly as well. Being aware of where your keys are kept is also important so make sure that you discuss this with your team if possible.
