As the festive period approaches, many businesses across Birmingham and the Greater Midlands leave their premises unattended, making them more vulnerable to break-ins and vandalism. Ensuring all aspects of your commercial security, from alarms and CCTV to access control and perimeter gates, are fully operational can help protect your property, stock, and staff while you enjoy the holiday season.
Key Takeaways:
Check and maintain all security systems: Ensure intruder alarms, CCTV, and fire safety equipment are fully operational and regularly serviced.
Review access and entry points: Update codes, deactivate old access cards, and inspect doors, windows, and gates.
Inspect perimeters and lighting: Identify weak points in fencing, maintain external lighting, and keep CCTV lenses and recording systems in good working order.
With the festive period almost upon us – a time when businesses across Birmingham and the Greater Midlands typically close-up shop leaving premises deserted – commercial site security takes on even greater significance.
It’s important to make sure your company doesn’t become a gift for burglars, whilst you and your staff are away enjoying the holiday celebrations.
Checking that all your internal and external security is up to the mark should be a top priority, so that you aren’t faced with any nasty surprises upon the return to work.
Preparing Your Commercial Premises for the Festive Period
From small offices to expansive industrial and warehouse sites, the likelihood is that they could all be standing empty for a considerable period of time, so it’s important that there are no gaps in your site security – from access control points to perimeter gates.
The question is, is everything in good nick? From faulty alarms to poorly lit areas and lack of CCTV, there’s always the potential for weak links in the chain.
If so, you could be putting yourself doubly at risk. If a break-in occurred, on top of the disruption and distress incurred, an insurer may well refuse to cover any claim, if the security equipment was found to be either sub-standard or non-existent.
Alarm Maintenance
When was the system last checked? Has it ever been checked. Are all the sensors and batteries in working order? If the system was activated, would it respond as it was designed to do?
Access Control Systems
Staying on top of who has legitimate access to your premises is an on-going issue, but especially during a period of downtime.
If they haven’t already been handed in, are there any old access cards that need to be de-activated? If they are no longer in use, they should be removed from the system, just in case they’ve fallen into the wrong hands.
What is the state of play regarding keypads, card readers and intercom systems? As we are about to enter a new year, maybe it’s time to have codes updated.
Meanwhile, when was your intercom last checked to see if it communicates properly. Do external gates open and close correctly upon command?
A Properly Functioning, Commercial CCTV System
CCTV systems and external lighting are key elements of business security. If you have CCTV deployed at your premises, how often do you review the cameras? Especially during periods of poor weather, are the lenses cleaned and kept debris-free, e.g. not obstructed by leaves.
What’s the status of any external lighting – would lights be activated if an intruder attempted a theft?
As for the CCTV recording equipment, is material being saved correctly? And, if you engage a monitoring centre, are they aware of your holiday opening times? These are all details that are worth going over before you pull down the proverbial holiday-period shutters.
Lock Windows and Doors
Don’t forget the basics! Irrespective of any additional security measures you have put in place, check all doors and windows are locked and secured before you head off. If you can, leave anything valuable and enticing out of sight.
Perimeter Inspection
Depending on the size and nature of your commercial premises, perimeter fencing and gates may be your first line of defence. If there are any weak spots or gaps which could be easily breached, it would be best to carry out repairs or reinforcements before the holiday period starts.
Security System Maintenance and Service
If your alarm system (intruder and/or fire) was installed by us, it will definitely include on-going maintenance. It will almost certainly also come under the auspices of our alarm monitoring centre, providing you with round-the-clock protection. We believe in being thorough!
But, if your system was fitted by another provider, this level of support may not necessarily be in place for you.
If no one is maintaining the equipment and it hasn’t undergone a professional inspection for some time, we are well-placed to take-on any system maintenance handovers.
This may be especially relevant if another provider is either no longer in business or unable to provide a regular service to existing customers.
Let us know if you have any issues that need attending to. A well-maintained alarm and CCTV system will ensure you have a dependable deterrent against the criminal fraternity.
In Summary
This is the time of year when business premises are potentially at their most vulnerable to break-ins and vandalism, because they are left unattended for extended periods.
That’s why it is essential to check that the property and stock is fully secured, to deter any criminal activity.
Justice Fire & Security have been protecting commercial premises across Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire and beyond for the last 40 years. Today, our industry-leading security solutions are in greater demand than ever.
If you suspect that they may be gaps in your commercial security, then please let us know asap, so that we can check that everything is working correctly and that there are no faults in the system.
By being proactive and diligent with your security measures, you should be able to enjoy the festive break - without any undue concerns.
Commercial Security in Birmingham and Beyond
For all commercial enquiries, contact the Justice Fire & Security main switchboard on 0845 468 9077.
