Peace and Goodwill: Top Six Tips to keep your Vacant Premises secure this winter

Winter security starts with the gate!

They’re simple and straightforward, and mostly pretty obvious – perhaps that’s why so many people overlook them!

SECURE WINDOWS AND DOORS

It feels almost embarrassing to call this a tip, but how many of you actually, physically, do the walk, check these entry points by pushing against them, especially (but not exclusively) on the ground floor? Probably the majority of thefts occur when someone tests a window, finds it either unlocked or on its last hinges, and just has to prise it open. Use steel screens for particularly vulnerable properties. Check perimeter fencing too. Walk the walk!

DON’T HIDE SPARE KEYS UNDER THE MAT, THE BIN, ON A STRING THROUGH THE LETTER BOX

Crikey, some old chestnuts never age. It only takes a passer-by, or someone living opposite, to see you bend down once, remove the key, and your hiding place is secret no more. Go 21stCentury and use a SmartLockBox, dammit, or a Bluetooth SmartDoor.

ADD A SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM

Well, of course, we would say that wouldn’t we, since we’ve been designing them and selling them for over 25 years. But they work! They deter! AND you don’t have to spend a fortune these days to get an effective security alarm. They possess a variety of functions which burglars hate: bright lights, noise and video recording. CCTV can be monitored 24/7 watching over your premises throughout the holiday season. It’s called PEACE OF MIND.

KEEP YOUR SURROUNDING GROUNDS OR YARD TIDY

Make sure plant, equipment, fuel is packed and locked away for the winter, that combustibles are removed or stored securely, shrubs or large plants trimmed so trespassers can’t hide in the shadows, and…LADDERS on your premises need to be securely attached to a wall or locked away.

WHO’S NEXT DOOR?

Like a residential neighbourhood watch, if you are a business owner, then a relationship with neighbouring businesses can play an important role in security.

DON’T LEAVE HIGH VALUE ITEMS VULNERABLE OR ON DISPLAY

We’ve already mentioned not leaving equipment on show, but that goes for other items too – if you have a heritage site that’s left unoccupied, or a former pub or care home, people may assume there’s lead roofs, stone fireplaces, copper tanks, bronze statues, and the like – metal theft is making a comeback, big time, so if you can’t lock, store, or remove valuable items, get CCTV or guards in place soon.