If you are a business owner in America, this is the best time to secure your business from intruders. Security experts have recently been warning people of increasing reports of violence, street crimes, and break-in thefts. There is also increased unrest and violence during protests.
We have put together this guide with steps to help you understand how you can protect your business.
How to secure your business against street violence
It is essential to secure your business against potential damage to avoid losses. You will save time and money if you take a few precautionary measures.
- Buy safety glass windows. Safety glass is strong and can withstand more force than ordinary glass, and criminals cannot break it easily. During times of unrest, many businesses suffer losses due to stolen and damaged property. Installing safety glass will be an investment because you will keep your business and valuables safe.
- Install a security gate. Scissor security gates provide a protective barrier that is hard to break through and keeps intruders at bay.
- Secure your doors. You can invest in a double lock system that will deter thieves from breaking in.
- Install a security camera and intruder alarm system. A working CCTV will help you monitor your business premises for any suspicious activities. An alarm system will send out a distress call and notify authorities. A functional security alarm system will scare intruders.
- Put up crash prevention bollards. These are strong poles erected outside your store to stop cars from crashing through your storefront.
- Keep yourself updated with the local security updates. It is vital as a business owner to be aware of current events that might affect your business. Adhere to warnings and recommended hours of business if needed.
- Avoid panic and train your staff to be calm even during an emergency. It would be best to inform your team what to do in case of a robbery or sudden violence.
- If you have a large store, you could employ security guards for added protection.
How to reduce the risk of your business being a target
In addition to making it hard for criminals to break into your store, there are measures you can employ to make your business less of a target.
- Make it difficult for intruders to gain access to your business. Put up security grills and a security fence.
- Remove anything valuable that may attract a criminal out of sight. You can install a safe to store expensive items and leave cash tills open.
- Store away any item that criminals could use to commit a crime, such as ladders. It would be best to clear bricks and rubble that can break windows.
- Make sure that the environment around your business is not conducive for criminals. Ensure the lighting around your store is good and work with local authorities to report and fix broken street lights.
- Reduce the gains criminals can get from your business. You can use dummy stock or place security marks on your property with permanent solutions.
- Increase the chances of a criminal getting caught by installing intruder alarms, working CCTV cameras situated in a strategic place.
As a retailer, your store’s security could largely depend on how easy it is to break through your storefront and windows. There are simple ways you can secure your storefront and display windows.
- Replace ordinary glass with safety glass
You can replace your ordinary glass windows and doors with safety glass. Safety glass has extra strength and durability. Tempered or safety glass is up to six times stronger than standard glass; therefore, an intruder will not break it easily.
Tempered glass does not shatter into small pieces when it gets damaged. It will make it safer to use than glass and avoid unnecessary injuries. Another advantage is that it is weather-resistant and reduces noise.
- Install laminated glass.
Laminated glass has an extra layer of reinforcement, added during production. The glass has an outer layer making the window difficult to break.
- Use bulletproof glass for your windows
Bulletproof glass is shatterproof. The glass does not blow easily and is very resistant to force. It will protect your business because it is tough to penetrate.
At Glassupply.com, we supply high-quality safety glass strong enough to protect your business against intruders. We will provide and install laminated, shatter-resistant, or bulletproof glass to secure your windows and storefront.
Conclusion
In times of increased crime and violence, it is vital to take preventive safety measures against violence and damage your business. You should install safety glass, enhance your security systems with CCTV and break-in sensors, secure your doors and gates and install bollards to prevent cars from crashing into your storefront.
As a business owner, you should also be alert and up to date with local news, train your employees on the proper way to respond during violent situations.