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Essential Guide to Securing your Business Premises
Running a successful business is hard enough in the current economic climate, so the last thing that you want to have to deal with is a break in on your premises. Burglars are targeting shops and small business properties more frequently than ever before and they consider this type of activity as an easy money option. If you are concerned about the current level of your own security and need some tips, please spend a few minutes reading the rest of the article, it could save you a packet.
Risk assessment
Before you start thinking about buying deterrent equipment or hiring a security guard, take a step back and do a risk assessment for your business premises. You will need to look closely at the current security that you already have in place. Ask a colleague to assist you and do a thorough walk through of your premises and the area outside. You are looking for security risks that potential thieves will be able to spot as they walk past your property. Note every possibility and weakness down and you should have a list with which to work with afterwards.
Access
Take a good look at the access points to your premises and see how easy it may be to just walk into your property. You can control this by installing security gates, decent fencing and a turnstile access point. Any entrance door should have a security code entry device installed and visitor badges should be assigned to non-workers. This will allow you to have instant visibility over unauthorised people on your property.
Doors and windows
Take a closer look at the locks on your windows and doors because these are the most common access routes for burglars. Speak to a security expert and look into installing some decent roller shutters on your doors and windows. The typical thief would rather pick a building without any of these time consuming entry deterrents.
Sign-in books
The only way to know exactly who is in your building at a glance is by setting up a sign-in book. This kind of record keeping system will allow you to see who is in the building when anything untoward occurs. Car registrations should also be entered into the records and if you can have a staff member help visitors with the process, and it will be a good move on your part. You can use the book to check that all of your staff have left for the day and in case of any fire drill issues.
Alarm CCTV
If you don’t already have a CCTV system installed or an alarm system fitted, you really need to get something in place. And if your current setup is a little lacking and out of date, you should probably upgrade before some willing burglars take advantage. One of the best ways to ensure that your business premises is being protected 24/7 is by getting some security support for your alarm and monitoring systems. The security company can inform the police and you will have a concrete record of the whole event, this is particularly good for those insurance claims that will be required further down the line.
Security Lighting
Light is an obvious deterrent to intruders as they can be spotted much easier in the light than in the dark. However when it comes to lighting up buildings or construction sites over night costs can be an issue so implementing LED security lighting solutions using sensors and monitors are important.
Staff Training
Unless you run a one man operation, the chances are that you will not always be around your premises during business hours. You should ensure that your staff are trained in the best practices when it comes to dealing with potential security threats. It is worth looking for a course that will equip them the skills to identify intruders and teach them how to follow up with this type of scenario. If you run a tight ship and your staff are happy, you have already won half the battle.
Jason Foster