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The holiday season is a time for celebration with family and friends, but it also brings about an increase in potential security risks. If you are doing business this holiday season, review our security tips to make sure you’re ready for the holidays. By being proactive by securing your business, apartment complex, or gated community, you can help your customers feel safe and secure this holiday season. Make sure you protect your business and your customers this holiday season. 

Test Your Security Systems 

One of the best ways to secure your business is by installing a security system. A security system can include features like access control, video surveillance, and alarm systems. This will help to keep your property safe and protected from intruders. If you already have a security system installed, make sure it’s properly working.  

By testing your system before the holiday season starts, you can give yourself ample time to fix and improve on your security, before it becomes an opportunity for someone else. If you have monitoring as a part of your security system, make sure they are aware of your holiday hours and their points of contact are up to date.  

Holiday Hours 

If your business is closing early, or closed entirely, during the holidays, consider not posting these hours publically. Make a note on your website and your location to have the customer call you for your holiday hours. Having these times public may be more convenient for your customer, but it also leaves ample opportunity for burglars and others to know when your business will be empty.  

Limit Access 

Another way to secure your business is by limiting access to certain areas. If you are hiring seasonal workers, it’s a good idea to keep them from sensitive areas of your business. An easy way to limit access to different areas of the business is by setting up access control units throughout your business. For security reasons, you want to limit access to certain areas of your business and ensure that employees can only enter their own work area.  

Many apartment complexes and gated communities have their gates open during certain hours in the holidays to help their residents. While this may be more convenient for the residents, it also leaves your complex or community susceptible to intruders. By closing the gates, you can help secure your complex and keep unwanted guests out. 

Monitor Visitors 

If there is a possibility for visitors at the holidays, consider hiring security personnel or an off-duty police officer during these times in order for them to monitor who comes in and out of the business. Having security personnel on duty will also help to ensure that your employees are safe and secure while working. Consider having guests sign in and out and having security personnel check their identification.  

Enforce Occupancy Limits 

During the holidays, many families like to take advantage of the time off by visiting friends and family. If your business is in a residential area, be sure to enforce occupancy limits. By doing this, you can help keep unwanted guests from staying too long at your place of business and becoming a nuisance for other customers or employees.  

This is very important for apartment complexes. Make sure your residents are aware of how many people can be in an apartment at the same time. If you have security staff on your property, make sure they are aware of these limitations as well and can help enforce them.  

Video Surveillance 

In the unfortunate case that something does happen at your business, video surveillance can be a valuable tool in identifying the perpetrator. By installing a video surveillance system, you can have peace of mind knowing that you have eyes on what’s happening at your business while you’re away.  

If you already have a video surveillance system, make sure it’s properly functioning and recording. If you sell any high-value items during the holidays, make sure they’re easily seen by your cameras. If you have video monitoring, make sure whoever is monitoring knows the hours of your business and has the correct point of contact. 

From outside of your business, it’s a good idea to see if anyone can hide in view of your security cameras or even jump onto roofs near your location. If necessary, install security lights around outdoor areas that are prone to criminals. 

View the Your Business from the Outside 

One of the smartest ways to keep your business safe is to make sure you know what people can see when looking into your business. Keep high-value merchandise, and equipment away from windows and prevent any temptation. If you have security cameras, make sure the area is well-lit and there aren’t any blind spots.  

Unplug Unused Devices 

When you’re locking up your business for the day, make sure you unplug any unused or unnecessary devices. Not only will this help with your electric bill, but can help protect your business from any fires or surges.  

If you run an apartment complex or gated community, make sure to pass this on to your residents. A fire can quickly spread in a neighborhood or apartment complex.  

Look Out for Each Other 

Contact neighboring businesses and let them know when you’ll be away. If they can keep an eye out, they can help stop any criminal activity from happening at your place of business. You can offer the same to them, by being proactive and looking out for one another, we can help keep each other safe this holiday season. 

If you are an apartment complex or gated community, consider asking your residents to let leadership know if they’ll be gone for the holidays. That way, you can keep an eye on their place and prevent any criminal activity.

As the holiday season approaches, it’s important to take security precautions for your business. By following these tips, you can help keep your employees and customers safe while you’re away. These are just a few security tips to help secure your business during the holiday season. By being proactive and following these simple steps, you can help keep your customers and employees safe and protected. For more information on security systems, access control, and video surveillance, contact us today! We would be happy to help!

We here at Access Professional Systems are happy to help! Give us a call at 853-223-9982 (CA) or 602-737-2081 (AZ) anytime. We have been committed to providing our customers with customized solutions and superior service since 1977.

We look forward to hearing from you!