Every day, business owners think about what it takes to build and run a successful business. The last thing business owners want to worry about is the threat of a break-in.
Unfortunately, this threat is very real and must be addressed in a timely manner. Dealing with theft-related losses can be a major challenge. The good news is that there are ways to protect your business from theft and keep criminals as far away from your business as possible.
The Most Common Ways Thieves Enter Commercial Premises
Theft is a crime committed at the point of opportunity. Thieves will always choose the easiest way to enter a property. Most often, thieves break in through windows or doors that are left open and unattended or are easy to break into. Entry through the back door is very common because they are less busy and too often unmonitored.
Restricted Access
Thieves are looking for easy access and the easiest way for them to enter a building is through unlocked/open doors and windows. Furthermore, open doors allow potential intruders to easily analyze the layout and structure of the premises.
Entrances should always be locked with difficult entry and restricted business areas should have access control systems installed to ensure that only authorized personnel can enter.
We recommend that businesses implement chip keys and coded door entries, which allow you to control who is using specific areas of the building. This can eliminate the need for keys that can be lost, stolen or broken and allows keys to be granted or revoked immediately.
Front doors
Front doors can often be the easiest entry points for thieves. Back doors are also very common as they are less busy and not monitored as often.
Windows
If your doors are difficult to break, thieves will look to your business windows as a point of entry. Open or weak window seals are a thief’s best friend, but they may not hesitate to break glass to get into your building.
Prevent unwanted entry through windows and doors by locking them after hours and keeping your security codes confidential. Locking your doors and windows or keeping your security code confidential may seem simple, but you’d be surprised how many businesses fall victim to these mistakes. If employees are careless with their keys or security system access codes, they can easily fall into the wrong hands, making your front door an easy entry point for thieves.
These are some of the most obvious methods for protecting your business, but here are some additional tips to really increase your security and reduce the risk of a break-in.
10 Theft Prevention Tips for Businesses
While some of the necessary precautions outlined here may seem like a significant upfront investment, they can save your business from sudden and significant expenses and headaches down the road.
To prevent your business from becoming a victim of a break-in, it’s a good idea to follow these tips.
1. Don’t tempt thieves with your inventory
All valuable items should be stored in a locked cabinet, out of reach. Additionally, smaller, lightweight items that are easy to grab should be placed as far away from doors and windows as possible.
2. Replace traditional glass doors and windows
While glass creates an elegant look, to deter thieves from entering your building, consider replacing glass doors and windows with something more durable. For example, use laminated doors and windows or, even better, tempered glass. Tempered glass is stronger and makes a louder sound when it breaks, drawing unwanted attention.
3. Make it harder to break in
If you are in a high-risk area, deter burglars from entering your building by installing bars on skylights, windows and doors. Always lock doors and windows and use a double-cylinder lock if possible.
4. Keep cash and valuables safe
If you keep cash and valuables in your business, keep them in a safe place, out of direct sight. A safe is an essential security investment for any business to protect cash, inventory, valuables and important business documents.
If your business has a safe, it should be kept in a place that is out of sight of thieves. Additionally, secure the safe to the floor and leave a minimum amount of cash in it overnight.
5. Implement a security system
Installing an alarm system and cameras can be a very effective deterrent to burglars. Surveillance cameras provide a record of suspicious or criminal activity and help identify criminals.
For added protection and deterrence, CCTV cameras can be integrated with burglar alarms so that whenever a CCTV camera detects something suspicious, the alarm can be automatically triggered to notify anyone nearby of the break-in, potentially scaring off thieves.
Keep in mind that criminals tend to test the alarm response, causing the alarm system to activate before entering.
