For you, the holidays may be a time to slow down, kick back and relax.
But for burglars, this is their busiest time of the year. As many businesses close down for a break, commercial burglaries increase, with a dramatic rise over the summer months.
Before you clock off for a well-earned break, make sure your premises are safe and secure. That way, you can look forward to a drama-free start to the New Year.
To help you get started, here are our top tips for protecting your premises.
Invest In The Right Security System And Monitoring
If you only do one thing to protect your business before heading to the beach, this should be it. A security system is the number one best deterrent for burglars. Not only can the right system prevent potential break-ins, but it can also help police identify the perpetrators if your place is targeted.
Well-placed cameras may alert you ahead of time to suspicious activity, and alarms notify the authorities and scare the criminals into getting out of there faster, taking less of your precious inventory with them. Whether you go for a straightforward alarm system or a more high-tech system that can be controlled and monitored from your smartphone or by the Smartway team.
This is one investment you won’t want to skip and will keep your business safe.
Think Like A Thief
The best way to identify any weak spots at your premises is to think like a thief. Once you approach your business from this perspective, you can mitigate the risks and reduce the chances of your premises becoming a target for burglars.
Here are our top tips to help you assess your property:
Be Strategic With Inventory Placement
While a gorgeous window display is great for attracting customers, it can also draw in unwanted visitors after hours. Take a look at what is clearly visible from your storefront, and move high-risk items away overnight. Better yet, store them in a locked area out of reach when you lock up for the day.
Install Strengthened Glass
Smash and grabs can and do happen, but using laminated windows or tempered glass can help reduce the risk. It takes a lot more force (and noise) to break this kind of glass. That might be enough to turn burglars away – or at least draw attention to what they are up to.
Invest In Bars And Locks
If you are worried about rear windows or doors being easy points of entry, add bars to windows and install high-quality deadbolts on all doors. Double cylinder deadlocks are the best option. They require a key to open them from both sides, making it very difficult for burglars to enter or exit the building.
Don’t forget security doors and gate alerts for the front entrances also.
Light Your Property
Keeping the interior lights on at night is a great idea, as burglars prefer not to be seen. The outdoor areas are just as important though. Install strong security lights around the exterior and in the parking lot. Try to place them, so they are difficult to smash. This will put thieves off or help identify them and their vehicles if needed.
Keep Things Tidy
If your business looks well-cared for, it’s less likely to become a target. Overgrown bushes and trees can also provide great hiding spots, so keeping them trimmed is essential. Don’t leave out empty boxes that identify the kind of stock or materials you have on hand inside the premises either!
If you are worried about keeping your premises secure for the holidays, there are plenty of things you can do to get started, but for the most peace of mind, a security system is the way to go.
Get in touch with Smartway today to discuss the best options for your business, and have a fantastic, relaxed holiday – you deserve it!