With many businesses being ordered to temporarily close by the provincial government, owners may feel more vulnerable to break-ins.
Here’s a list put together by Durham Regional Police with steps businesses can take to improve security and deter criminal activity:
Lighting: keep exterior entry points (including windows) well-lit. Lighting inside should be dimmer then outside but still lit enough to help security monitoring.
Valuables: remove window and store-front displays from view. Remove all cash from the till and leave empty cash tray on the counter, in plain view.
Alarm: contact your alarm company to be sure all information is up to date and your system is functional. Consider using a system that can be monitored online at all times.
Signage: post signage in doors and windows to indicate that the premises are being monitored and no money was left inside.
Entry Points: be sure all entrances, including windows and doors, are properly secured. Consider reinforcing any glass or latches to increase their integrity. Also, ensure no ladders or roof access ladders are extended/unlocked or are readily available and all gates and fences are locked and secured.
Windows: Blinds and curtains should be drawn in a way that the public can be alerted if someone is inside but not open so that the public can see fully inside the building.
Clean Exterior: Remove anything on the outside of a property that could aide a criminal to break in including: bricks, metal poles or other discarded materials. Ensure all exterior garbage cans/chairs and newspaper boxes are removed from entrance points or near windows.
Construction Sites: Lock all gates and fences. Lock all machinery and vehicle cabs. Don’t leave any keys onsite or within vehicles. All tools and smaller machinery should be locked in a building or storage container. Park a large vehicle up close to doors if possible to prevent the doors from being opened. Record any VIN/ serial numbers on items and secure offsite.
The public is encouraged to report any suspicious activity they see to police. If you witness a crime in progress, including break-ins to closed businesses, call 9-1-1 immediately.
And don’t forget, our phone lines are always open if you have any questions regarding your business insurance. Contact us online or call us at 1-800-216-5324. Request a free, no-obligation quote from our experts.
