Keeping your small business protected from thieves and vandals is often overlooked until after the fact—an unfortunate event that can often be prevented with some forethought.
Any business with expensive inventory or equipment should be especially careful to keep intruders out. Here are a few ways to secure your small business against break-ins.
Protect the windows
Your windows are an easy point of entry for intruders. Protecting the windows could mean adding bars or purchasing an alarm system that will monitor them. If possible, keep heavy equipment or merchandise in front of windows to obstruct entry.
Ensure adequate lighting
Proper lighting can be a cheap and effective way to secure your business from break-ins. All entrances and exits should be well lit, and at least one interior light should be left on to give the appearance that someone may be inside. To save on energy costs, business owners may want to hook up lights to a motion detector.
Purchase a security system
Many small business owners balk at the upfront cost and continuing monthly fees associated with a security system. But for businesses with high value items or large amounts of cash it’s important to consider the worst case scenario as you weigh your options. If you don’t want to go all out on an expensive security system, even a simple security camera can protect you.
Monitor the keys
You should always make sure keys to your business, cash register and safe stay out of the wrong hands. Don’t issue multiple keys; two or maybe three should be enough. Records should be kept to identify who has keys in their permanent possession or who has borrowed a set.
Never use a single master key for multiple locks. It’s also recommended to keep different keys separated to avoid making things easier to steal. People lose their keys all the time, so small business owners should also make sure to never use a keychain with the company’s logo or address on it. This just makes it that much easier for would-be thieves to find you.
Get a safe
You should use a safe to secure items like cash or other important documents. Insurance policies may have relatively small limits for replacing stolen cash, and important documents can be costly and time-consuming to replace. Make sure the safe is fire and water proof to also protect these items from natural disasters.
By following these simple security steps, you can protect your business and financial future. As a bonus, security measures could cut down on your insurance costs. To find out how, speak with an agent at John B. Wright Insurance.
Leave a Reply