As the weather gets colder, business owners need to start thinking more about security. Winter is a time when criminals are especially active, and businesses need to take precautions to protect themselves. Not doing so can leave your premises vulnerable.
Thankfully there are many steps that you can take to keep your business and all of its valuables secure. In this article, we will discuss 7 security tips that businesses should follow this winter. Follow these tips and you can rest assured that your business is safe from criminals!
1. Invest in Lighting
One of the best ways to deter criminals is to make your business as visible as possible. Install good lighting both inside and outside of your business. This will make it difficult for criminals to commit crimes undetected.
Winter is a time when the days get shorter and this plays into the hands of thieves. Without proper lighting, they’ll have more time under the cover of darkness. This can make it easier for them to strike and get away with their crimes.
If you do already have lighting in place, then it’s a great idea to undertake regular inspections. Winter can be very challenging for outdoor electrical equipment so check they are in full working order and free from any obstructions.
2. Weatherproof Your Security Equipment
As we mentioned there, if you have security cameras or other security equipment, make sure that it is weatherproof. Winter can be harsh on electronics, so make sure that your equipment can stand up to the cold weather.
This weatherproofing doesn’t just apply to camera equipment but to all areas of security. For example, extremely cold weather can freeze up locks and make them more brittle. Without high-quality security equipment, you may find that it fails in the winter.
3. Perform a Full Perimeter Check
Complete a full perimeter check of your business every day. Look for signs of forced entry, such as broken windows or damaged doors. If you find any evidence of a break-in, report it to the police immediately.
Doing a perimeter check is a good idea at any time of year but especially in the winter. You’ll be able to identify any weak spots and solve any issues that arise. Without completing a regular inspection of security, you may not notice vulnerable spots which would be targeted by criminals.
4. Keep Your Property Clean and Tidy
Criminals are more likely to target businesses that appear to be unkempt or disorderly. Part of the reason for that is that it gives them a sense you don’t take security seriously. You are viewed as an easy target for a quick robbery.
Keep your property clean and tidy, so that criminals will be less likely to target you. Make sure that you are not creating access points unknowingly such as bins or pallets below windows. Don’t leave anything outside that criminals could use to access your office or warehouse
It’s a good idea to always think like a criminal and try and work out where they would try and access your property or what they would like to steal. If you see that you’re leaving them an easy route, you can take steps to make it more difficult.
5. Secure Your Property with a Fence or Gate
Great security isn’t just about catching criminals or making it hard for them to enter, you also want your security to act as a deterrent. If your premise looks impenetrable, then a wannabe criminal isn’t even going to attempt to break it.
If your business is located in a high-traffic area, consider installing a fence or gate around your property. This will make it much harder for someone to carry out a theft. It will also help to give you some peace of mind that your property is less likely to be targeted.
6. Install Infrared Surveillance Cameras
Surveillance cameras are a great way to deter criminals and help to catch them if they do attempt to break into your building. Make sure that you have enough surveillance cameras to cover all areas of your property.
Not all security cameras are the same and a basic one may not pick up great images on those dark winter nights. A great choice is to get infrared cameras that are able to pick up a clear image whatever the light conditions are.
You’ll also need to be aware of any blind spots which are small areas that are just out of a camera’s view. An experienced criminal would quickly be able to identify such blind spots and exploit them if they happen to be near an entrance point, such as a window.
7. Train Your Employees on Security Procedures
Take steps to ensure that all of your employees are familiar with security procedures. Teach them how to spot signs of criminal activity and what to do if they encounter a crime in progress. Everyone would be aware of their responsibilities in regards to security.
This may involve locking up at the right time, taking valuable items away from the premises at night, or completing a routine inspection. With the colder weather, it’s easy to get a little lazy with security procedures which is why reminders to your employees can be crucial.
Stay Vigilant Over Winter
It would be a fair assumption that break-ins would be less likely over winter due to the colder weather but the opposite is true. These types of crimes increase for a variety of different reasons.
With less light, criminals have the advantage of the darkness to conceal their crimes. Not only is this true but an unlit building would also give them more confidence that it is unoccupied. Added to that are other factors, such as many businesses hold more valuable stock around the holiday period so are more lucrative targets.
It means that in the winter you need to be more vigilant than ever. Ensure you have the right security equipment in place and that it’s in perfect working order. If you follow these tips then it’s unlikely that your property is targeted and even if it is, you’ll be more likely to prevent theft.
