Protecting your Business from Property Damage and Vandalism
Vandalism at your business can be annoying, but it can also cost you money. If your property is vandalized with graffiti, if your doors and windows are broken or damaged, or if your landscaping is ruined, this does more than just add more work to your day. It hurts the reputation of your business and your neighbourhood. It could cause potential customers to avoid your property, which will harm your business.
In addition, smaller incidents of vandalism often lead to larger ones if left unchecked. For instance, graffiti sprayed onto a wall and left uncleaned can let people know that a property is not frequently attended to. This can encourage future vandalism and crime, and discourage customers further.
Cleaning up vandalism and property damage after the fact can get very expensive. Therefore, it’s often a much better idea to stop it before it occurs. Here are some ways to protect your business from vandalism and property damage.
Use Lighting
Keeping your property well-lit can go a long way to keeping it secure. Criminals tend to strike locations where they are less likely to be caught in the act. If you install exterior lighting on your store to keep it visible at night, you drastically decrease the likelihood of someone harming the property. Consider motion-activated lights that only come on when someone is nearby.
Protect Doors and Windows with Security Gates
Breaking windows is a common crime, whether it is done to gain access to a property or simply to cause harm. Secure your windows and doors by protecting them with security gates. Security gates place a strong physical barrier between criminals and your property, making it very difficult for them to cause damage or gain access. They also serve as a visual deterrent.
When a criminal sees that you have security gates installed, they not only know that it will be difficult to damage your property, but they immediately understand that you are serious about security. The fact that security gates can be easily seen when locked in place gives them a strong advantage over other security methods such as window film. Since criminals cannot easily tell if film has been installed, they may make several attempts to break through your windows, causing damage in the process even if they are unsuccessful.
Keep your Property Maintained
When a criminal sees a property that is not well-maintained and that is neglected, they are more likely to strike. However, if your business is clean and orderly, they will be less likely to attempt vandalism. Keep windows and doors clean and uncluttered, make sure your landscaping is neat, and fix any property damage as soon as possible.
Prepare for Large Events and Gatherings
Vandalism and property damage are much more likely during large events such as demonstrations or protests. If you become aware of such an event taking place nearby, take steps to protect your business as soon as possible. This is another area where physical security gates help a great deal. If a civil disturbance occurs near your property, you can quickly and easily lock your gates into place, protecting your business.
