4 Security Tips for Businesses This Winter

Keeping your business and employees safe is a priority throughout the year. Every day presents unique safety and security concerns that could put your business at risk if not appropriately addressed. No matter the size of your business, smart business owners must be aware of the unique security issues they could face during specific times of the year, especially during the winter season.

The winter season brings its own distinctive challenges when it comes to the safety of your property, data, people and customers. Inclement weather can cause unsafe conditions for travel and unexpected business closures. The winter also involves holiday travel and vacation time that could leave your business at a higher risk for theft, vandalism or other crimes.

Off Duty Officers has put together a list of safety and security guidelines to help business owners prepare for the unique challenges of the winter season and protect what matters most.

4 Security Tips for Businesses This Winter

Invest in Proper Lighting

Insufficient lighting can attract thieves and vandals because it gives them the cover they need to get away with their crimes. In the winter, when the sun sets much earlier than other times of the year, it is critical to ensure that your lighting systems are scheduled to turn on when it gets dark.

Make sure that all access points are well-lit and that parking lots and other outdoor areas are illuminated. Indoor lighting can deter burglars from entering your business. Plus, indoor lighting can make thieves more visible to people looking in from the outside.

Install a Security System

Any business that houses valuable information or equipment should have a security system in place. If you do not have security cameras as a component of your security system, winter is a great time to install them.

Security cameras, in particular, have several benefits when it comes to the security of your business. The mere presence of cameras and security signage can be enough to deter criminals from attempting to target your property. Most security cameras today can be monitored by the business owner in real-time on a smartphone or computer. Real-time monitoring and alerts can be critical when you have to be away from your business during winter storms, holiday travel or after hours.

Establish or Review Current Security Protocols

Preparation is critical when it comes to keeping your business secure. Hopefully, your business has an emergency plan in place that is current and robust. If not, now is the time to establish a security plan that meets the needs of your business. Your security procedures should be known to all of your employees, so they know exactly what to do in the event of an emergency. If your business has a plan, now is the time to review and reevaluate your security procedures to ensure that they still make sense for your business.  

Prevent Winter Injuries  

Apart from the money that injured or sick employees can cost your business, business owners must provide a safe and healthy work environment for their teams. Slip-and-fall accidents are very common during the winter months. Employees and customers can seriously injure themselves when parking lots, sidewalks and walkways are not adequately cleared of ice and snow.

When travel conditions are treacherous, employers may allow their teams to work remotely if it makes sense for the type of business. If this is not an option, it may be wise to close the business to keep your employees and customers off the roads.  

Protecting Your Other Assets  

In addition to the tips mentioned above, there are other measures that owners can take to keep their data and properties safe and secure when their business is closed for extended periods during the winter season.

Unplug anything that is not in use, such as space heaters, computers, decorations, lights or signage to decrease the risk of an electrical fire.

Lock up all entrances, exits, windows and other access points to your property, even those that seem like unlikely targets for a thief.

Secure your most valuable equipment and information in locked safes, off the premises or out of sight to avoid devastating financial losses or the theft of personal information.

Backup important data and take precautions to protect your technology from malfunctioning during an unexpected power outage.

Hire security guards to patrol and secure your property while you are off the premises. Expert security guards can deter criminals and use their professional training to quickly and appropriately respond to many kinds of threats.

Protect Your Business This Winter – Off Duty Officers Security Guards

If you own or manage a business, be sure to consider the unique safety risks and security challenges your business might face during the winter months. The guidelines above will give you a strong foundation in protecting your most valuable business assets.