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How to Set Up a New Business With Security in Mind

When you’re opening a new business, the last thing you want to think about is what would happen if you lost it all. But the grim fact is that almost 9 percent of all small businesses suffer loss from burglary or theft. And each of these business-owners could easily have to shell out $8,000 out of pocket to cover losses. And that’s not even including any damage these incidents might cause. For example, your insurance might cover a broken door or window, but how much of it they cover depends entirely on the terms of your policy.

For your new business, the best course of action is to ensure security right from the beginning. Make it more difficult for burglars to break in. Secure your inventory and other property as well as possible. And take the following measures to keep your business safe.

Secure your openings

When you install doors and windows, do so with safety in mind. For example, commercial steel doors are much more secure than glass or wooden doors. Just as importantly, take measures to ensure they are locked at the end of every day. It’s crucial that only trusted employees are given this responsibility. But if your staff is all new, it’s probably best if you do the job yourself for a while. The windows on your business should also be secured with bars if they are easily accessible.

Use a safe

If you have valuables inside your building, secure them in a safe or vault overnight. This may not be possible if your store is comprised entirely of expensive items, such as jewelry. But if you happen to have a single display or cash that you must keep on the premises, it’s imperative that you have a safe place to store them.

Install proper lighting

In a survey of burglars conducted by an Idaho news station, the chance of being seen is a huge deterrent for them. They obviously prefer not to be seen, so they look for places with blind spots or covered by trees. Lighting may not completely stop burglars, but if all your doors and windows are illuminated well, it will likely deter them. After all, they know their chances of being seen are much greater if they’re in the spotlight. But all your efforts will be lost if the lights don’t work, so, make it a point to do a weekly check to make sure they’re all functioning properly.

Install an alarm system

It may go without saying, but an alarm system is even more crucial for a business than it is for a home. This is because burglars don’t always know if homeowners are away. But they can be almost certain that businesses are vacated after hours. In other words, the tricks like motion lights or leaving a light on inside are virtually useless in deterring criminals for a commercial property. Aside from that, many insurance companies will only cover losses if security systems are used. Be sure to put up the signs your security company gives you, as those are great help.

Double up on night staff

One of the best things you can do to protect a business that remains open late is to never leave anyone to work alone. For some businesses, this rule should be implemented 24 hours a day. For example, if you own a liquor store in Lawrenceville, NJ, it’s probably best to make sure to schedule at least two employees for every shift. Of course, this could depend entirely on the location of the store and the amount of cash kept on-site, but it’s worth deeply considering.

Security in a business is a major concern, but it doesn’t have to be hard. Keep these points in mind to ensure your business can operate smoothly and safely without any fear of robbery or theft.