Security Tips

For Personal Security

 Make sure all doors are secured with High Security locks. Open doors and windows and cheap, ineffective locks are a welcome target to intruders. Every outside door should also be secured with a Maximum Security deadbolt with Grade 1 features for more protection against hammer and crow bar prying attacks. For the best possible security against break-ins, a quality burglar alarm is a deterrent to all
but the most determined burglars.

Here are some more tips to help you...

• Install peepholes in exterior doors so you can see who comes to your door.
• Set up security lighting around the outside of your home, especially
  at side and rear doors and windows. Floodlights, which offer the
  brightest lighting, are the best deterrent to prowlers.
• Prune tree limbs away from your home to avoid easy access to
  upstairs windows.
• Make sure that all personal belongings such as barbecues and sports
  equipment are stored inside your house or garage when not in use.
• Never leave a spare key outside your home. Most hiding places are
  obvious to intruders.
• If you go away for a few days, stop your mail and newspaper
  delivery services. Ask a neighbor or friend to watch your home and
  take care of your yard to eliminate signs of absence.
• Join a Neighborhood Watch team in your community, or find out from
  local authorities how to start one on your block. Remember, there's
  safety in numbers. A united community is a safer community.
• While no home is ever completely burglar-proof, if you follow these
  tips around your home you will make it very difficult for an intruder
  to gain entry. In most cases, an intruder will spend no more than 60
  seconds trying to gain access to a residence—even less
  in a busy area.

For Business Security

Businesses can reduce their vulnerability to crime in many ways. Measures like locks, alarms, and good lighting make any establishment a less attractive target for criminals. A major ally is your local law enforcement agency--its officers can conduct a free security survey and give advice on alarm systems and other devices. Community service and involvement are important safeguards against crime. Customers and neighbors who view a business as a valued resource to the community will watch out for its property and employees.

Employees and Crime

Employees can help you to be profitable or hurt you through waste, inattention to customers, or stealing. You must set the example for honesty and develop clear policies regarding security and theft.

Robbery Prevention

Businesses are robbed ten times more often than individuals, but common sense can reduce the chance of becoming a victim as well as the amount of money lost if you're robbed.
Some tips for this is:
• keep only small amounts on hand and advertise this fact
• make frequent bank deposits?
• have a drop safe or time delay safe?
• vary your deposit time and route?
• count cash only in a private area?

Surveillance and Security are Critical

Lighting. Install bright interior and exterior lighting to make all openings visible from both the outside and the inside of the store.

Locks and Safes. Purchase high quality door locks and use them. Grilles and storefront grates delay entry. Use an Underwriters Laboratory listed money safe, bolted to the floor and visible
from the street.

Entry Control. Know who has a key and restrict access to the front door. Re-key the lock ifs once- trusted employee is discharged for cause. Re-key locks annually if you have high turnover
of employees. Consider an access control system rather than keys.

Intrusion Alert. Install a good quality alarm system to detect unauthorized entry. Check with your Better Business Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, law enforcement, and other businesses before you make this investment.

Windows. Consider burglary resistant glass in accessible areas. Unbreakable polycarbonate may work even better, particularly if you have high value items in window displays.

Environment. Keep areas around the store clean to aid visibility. Display your most valuable articles near the center of the store to force a burglar to take the longest possible escape route. Keep merchandise displays organized to allow maxi- mum visibility throughout the store.