How to Secure Your Small Business from Theft
As a small business owner, your premises are much more likely to be the target of burglars than a residential home. Even the smallest business is filled with valuable items of potentially high value, including laptops, printers, cash and confidential information. Additionally, business premises are often unmanned for long periods in the evenings, holidays and weekends, making them extremely vulnerable.
Here's how you can take steps to protect your assets and secure your business against theft.
Inspect Your Site
Take a survey of your premises and check out the access points as well as the most vulnerable spots from a burglar's point of view. As a first priority carefully inspect all doors and windows to determine if any repairs are needed, and have them carried out right away.
Make sure that there are no objects left lying around outside, such as crates and pallets, which could be used to gain easy access to the premises.
Consider installing security bars on the windows as an added precaution. This will prevent criminals from breaking a window to enter the premises.
Take a Look at the Lighting
Common targets for thieves are premises that are unlit and have access in the rear, where activities cannot be seen from the street, providing time to attempt an entry.
Installing lighting around all access points is an excellent deterrent and will ensure that these areas are highly visible when you are not in attendance.
Examine Keys and Locks
How long has it been since you have had the locks on your doors, both front and rear, upgraded? Your locks may not need upgrading at the moment, but are you able to account for every set of keys in your business? If not, then it may be time to change the locks.
Consult with a Locksmith
Ideally deadbolts should be fitted to all doors and windows, and the corresponding keys should all be accounted for. This is where you can use your local locksmith to advise on the best set-up for your premises.
Their experience can help you choose the right safe for storing sets of keys as well as other valuable or confidential items. They are familiar with regulations and standards regarding fireproofing and the correct installation procedure to anchor the safe. They will also be able to recommend the best place to locate a safe for the best protection.
It is also important to change combinations when any employee who has had access to the safe leaves the business.
You may also need to get some advice about suitable locked display cases if you have expensive items in stock.
Consider Additional Measures
An investment in a security alarm is the next step up for additional protection and extra peace of mind. A basic video surveillance system may be all that is required for deterring and monitoring shoplifting.
Alternatively, a complete system that automatically sends alerts may be an ideal solution for a complete level of protection. An intruder alarm system that is fully monitored will notify the key holder as well as police officers when it is activated.
These closed circuit television or CCTV systems certainly offer an enhanced level of protection, and there is now a wide variety and growing number of models and systems on the market for you to choose from. Professional guidance on the best choice of cameras, angles and focus, screen resolution, storage retention times and other technical considerations is a necessity.
Your security expert will be able to provide you with expert advice and install the right system for the security of your business. Contact a company like Cambridge Locksmiths to learn more.
