Choosing The Right Security System

Taking steps to ensure the optimal safety of your commercial property not only protects employees, guests, and customers from becoming injured, it also minimizes the risk that you may be held legally liable for their injuries. Fortunately, ways exist for commercial property owners to make their buildings and their surroundings as safe as possible. Following are just three of the available strategies that you can use to help ensure everyone's safety and reduce your chances of becoming involved in a lawsuit. 

Bright Lights

Bright outdoor lighting discourages bad behavior, but make sure you're illuminating the right targets. Making certain that all possible entry points are adequately illuminated is only common sense, but many commercial property owners leave parking lots and other areas that are away from the building dimly lit or perhaps even neglect to provide lighting at all.

As a commercial property owner, you probably already know that you can be sued for personal injury under premise liability statutes, but you may not be aware that this may also be applicable to crime victims. Keeping the dim corners of your property brightly lit will lessen the chances of it becoming the scene of a violent crime. Always keep in mind that the best security strategies consider all likely scenarios instead of only focusing on preventing theft.

Meticulous Landscaping 

You may think that landscaping has little to do with security or personal safety, but the truth is is that overgrown vegetation can act as a cover for those intent on criminal activity. Muggings and other violent crimes are far more likely to occur in places with low visibility, so always ensure that your trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants are kept well-trimmed, and avoid mass plantings that might be used as hiding places. Make sure that any trees growing near your building don't provide potential intruders with easy access.

Your parking lot as well as the rest of the exterior should always be kept clear of litter, fallen leaves, and other debris. Not only is this a safety hazard, it presents an unkempt appearance that attracts vandalism and other unsavory activity. 

You should also consider the benefits of using transparent fencing to enclose your commercial property. The increased visibility will make it less desirable for miscreants. 

Customized Security Systems

Commercial buildings are frequently targeted by burglars because they contain valuable business equipment, so be sure to get the best security system that you can afford -- and also make certain to tailor it to your specific business. Your local law enforcement agency will be able to clue you in concerning what type of crimes are most prevalent in your particular area and give you an idea of where you should center your security goals.

For instance, if the majority of crimes involving commercial property in your location are petty theft and vandalism committed by teenagers, you may be best served by installing a basic alarm system and hiring an onsite security guard -- the presence of the guard alone will deter people, and the alarm system can act as backup.

However, if your location has been targeted by more sophisticated thieves, you should speak with a security expert on having security featuring smart technology installed on your commercial premises. For instance, cameras can be placed in inconspicuous places that provide you with a real-time streaming view of what's happening on your property at all times. Video footage is important if valuable items are stolen from your property or if vandals cause serious damage because this can help identify the culprits. 

Also, keep in mind that a good security system may also be instrumental in lowering the insurance premiums on your commercial property. 

Contact a company like A Tech / Easy Living Store to learn more about your security system options.