Tips to prevent break-and-enters for your business

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Break-ins and what it means for your business

A major increase in commercial break-and-enters have been on the rise in Canada that was reported on CBC news at the start of the COVID-19 restrictions. Vancouver, BC experienced a 147% increase in commercial break-and-enters from March to April when compared to the same period in 2019.

Break-ins don’t always include breaking a window or an entrance to gain access to a premise. Break-ins can occur without a trace because of simple things opportunist thieves’ exploit. These types of criminals look for an opportunity and strike when it happens.

What does this mean for you? Thieves could be breaking in to steal money or products from you or even attempt to use your premise to break into a business next door or on the shared floor.

What do opportunist thieves target?

  • Finding entrances or windows left open or unlocked.
  • Some may opt to try to stay inside your business and hide while you’re getting ready to close for the night.

We can all do our part in preventing the opportunist thief for free. All we have to do is make sure our premises safe and secure before we leave, and report anything suspicious.

Here’s a list of tips we put together for you to help prevent break-ins at your property or business.

Tips to prevent break-and-enters

Lighting and closing business for the day
  • Ensure your doorway is illuminated with plenty of light so you are visible to other people.
  • Check all doors and windows are secured.
  • Check to make sure no one is in any rooms, and re-check doors and windows.
  • Make sure you have everything you need before you leave.
  • When locking up, be aware of your surroundings and look around before looking at the key and lock.
Access Control

Manage a list of authorized access and the types of access each personnel have from ID cards to keys. You must know who is authorized to access areas because not everyone needs full access. Access right should always start with the least amount granted to start with; because it is easier to add permissions then remove and modify.

Security Bars

Do you have products on display in your windows, or just need that extra security layer at the door? security bars are a great way to protect the products because most products are too large to fit between the bars.

Alarms

For something that makes a lot of noise and sure to draw attention to your business is a security alarm. The security alarm sticker will stop some because they know there’s an alarm and don’t want attention brought to them. so but for the ones that are not scared by a sticker

Security Cameras

This type of system is more of a reactive then proactive because it will not stop anyone from access the business especially if they are wearing a mask to cover their face and hide their identity.

If you have a feeling you left something unsecured, turn back and go check. If you are too far or don’t have the time to turn back; Surge Security mobile patrol is a cost-effective way to make sure you have that peace of mind.