10 Ways to Make Your Small Business Safer From Robberies
Those who own small businesses know the importance of having security measures in place to prevent being robbed.
It can mean the difference between succeeding and failing in business.
And I'm sure most small business owners have gone to great extent to protect their business.
Even so, here are a few security measures you may not have considered and could help you have an even stronger safety net.
1.
Of course the first step would be to install a robbery alarm system and a silent alarm.
An alarm system that you can set after closing will give you peace of mind in knowing that if someone does attempt to break into your business, an alarm will sound, the burglar will probably depart without stealing anything and police will be on their way.
A silent alarm is good during business hours to notify police if someone suspicious or threatening comes into your business.
It is usually a button you must push when in danger.
2.
You should also have a surveillance camera behind the cash register which faces the counter.
This way if anyone tries to rob you of the money in the cash register, the robber's image will be caught on tape to help identify and apprehend him or her.
3.
If at all possible, it is a good idea for the cash register to be visible from the street so police can clearly see it as they drive by.
This inhibits robbers because obviously they don't want to be seen committing their crime.
4.
Encourage the police to stop by occasionally to your place of business, making their presence known and observed by anyone thinking of robbing you.
It's also a good practice to create a good relationship between your business and the local police.
5.
Be sure your employees know to report when any outside lighting has burned out so you can promptly get the bulbs replaced.
Keeping a well-lit exterior helps protect the interior from invasion.
6.
Keeping a small amount of cash in the register is always a good idea.
If someone comes in to rob your business during business hours, they will want to be quick - in and out - and will only grab what is in the register, or demand it be given to him.
The excess cash you have received for that day should be either deposited in the bank or placed in a locked safe.
7.
Be sure no employee ever gives out personal information of any other employee to a stranger or anyone who calls asking for it.
Anyone could pretend to be someone's friend or relative and ask for their address or phone number (saying they misplaced it or something) and turn out to be a stalker or rapist or burglar trying to figure out when a specific person is going to be home or what their schedule may be.
8.
When making a bank deposit, be sure to vary your routine - change the time you make the deposit and the route you take from day to day.
Also, use containers that are not obviously money bags when going to the bank.
On a busy street outside your business you may not notice someone watching you and your daily routine so don't be obvious when you're heading to the bank.
9.
If your business is robbed while an employee is present, be sure your employees know not to stare directly at the robber.
A robber does not want to be identified or challenged and could get violent if he feels threatened in this way.
10.
Be sure your employees know that their safety is of utmost importance over the safety of money or merchandise.
They should do as the robber says, not make any sudden moves, speak only when asked a question, and never follow the robbers into the parking lot.
Someone desperate enough to rob a place of business may be desperate enough to kill in order to get away safely.
Hopefully you have all of these suggestions already in place, but if not, you might consider implementing them to further secure your place of business and make it a safer environment for everyone.
It can mean the difference between succeeding and failing in business.
And I'm sure most small business owners have gone to great extent to protect their business.
Even so, here are a few security measures you may not have considered and could help you have an even stronger safety net.
1.
Of course the first step would be to install a robbery alarm system and a silent alarm.
An alarm system that you can set after closing will give you peace of mind in knowing that if someone does attempt to break into your business, an alarm will sound, the burglar will probably depart without stealing anything and police will be on their way.
A silent alarm is good during business hours to notify police if someone suspicious or threatening comes into your business.
It is usually a button you must push when in danger.
2.
You should also have a surveillance camera behind the cash register which faces the counter.
This way if anyone tries to rob you of the money in the cash register, the robber's image will be caught on tape to help identify and apprehend him or her.
3.
If at all possible, it is a good idea for the cash register to be visible from the street so police can clearly see it as they drive by.
This inhibits robbers because obviously they don't want to be seen committing their crime.
4.
Encourage the police to stop by occasionally to your place of business, making their presence known and observed by anyone thinking of robbing you.
It's also a good practice to create a good relationship between your business and the local police.
5.
Be sure your employees know to report when any outside lighting has burned out so you can promptly get the bulbs replaced.
Keeping a well-lit exterior helps protect the interior from invasion.
6.
Keeping a small amount of cash in the register is always a good idea.
If someone comes in to rob your business during business hours, they will want to be quick - in and out - and will only grab what is in the register, or demand it be given to him.
The excess cash you have received for that day should be either deposited in the bank or placed in a locked safe.
7.
Be sure no employee ever gives out personal information of any other employee to a stranger or anyone who calls asking for it.
Anyone could pretend to be someone's friend or relative and ask for their address or phone number (saying they misplaced it or something) and turn out to be a stalker or rapist or burglar trying to figure out when a specific person is going to be home or what their schedule may be.
8.
When making a bank deposit, be sure to vary your routine - change the time you make the deposit and the route you take from day to day.
Also, use containers that are not obviously money bags when going to the bank.
On a busy street outside your business you may not notice someone watching you and your daily routine so don't be obvious when you're heading to the bank.
9.
If your business is robbed while an employee is present, be sure your employees know not to stare directly at the robber.
A robber does not want to be identified or challenged and could get violent if he feels threatened in this way.
10.
Be sure your employees know that their safety is of utmost importance over the safety of money or merchandise.
They should do as the robber says, not make any sudden moves, speak only when asked a question, and never follow the robbers into the parking lot.
Someone desperate enough to rob a place of business may be desperate enough to kill in order to get away safely.
Hopefully you have all of these suggestions already in place, but if not, you might consider implementing them to further secure your place of business and make it a safer environment for everyone.