Safety and security are key aspects when it comes to the proper maintenance of your commercial property. Even if the property is in an area that is not exactly famed for repeated crimewaves, it only takes one miscreant with a nefarious purpose in mind to cause havoc. You could be facing huge bills and time-consuming insurance claims.

Security Cameras are Important

Fortunately, it is not that difficult to make sure that your commercial property is kept safe and secure. The first, and most obvious step is to install security cameras. Making sure that as much of your building is monitored as possible is key to keeping it safe. If you cannot afford to cover every square inch of your property, then at least make sure that all entry points – doors and windows – are monitored. Not only will security cameras capture events if and when they happen, they serve as deterrents to any would-be burglars.

It also helps if you make sure that your property is properly secured. The best way of doing this is by installing an electronic monitoring system. Such a system is one where entrances, exits and other key areas can only be accessed with an electronic pass, rather than just keys. This way you can monitor who is going in and out of your building, and you can allow only certain people access to key areas. If someone is somewhere where they shouldn't be, then you’ll either know about it, or you will have a record of it.

Make Sure You Have Adequate Lighting

Lighting is another key aspect of keeping your commercial property safe and secure, and one that is often under-utilized. You do not though have to bathe your property in light 24/7. Motion-sensor lights act as superb deterrents. If someone is up to no good and they suddenly find themselves lit up like a Christmas Tree, then they are much more likely to abscond than break in. Internally, lights that can come on at random times and for random periods are a great way of creating the impression that a building is occupied. People who plan to break in often prefer it if they feel a building is deserted rather than occupied.

Make Sure All Windows Are Secured

The most obvious entry point for any building are the doors, but what about windows? Windows that are frequently left open or are easily broken act as excellent entry points for people who want to gain illegal entry into your property, especially if the windows are at ground level, or if they can be easily accessed after a short climb. Make sure that windows that are easy to access are reinforced, and any window that can be opened leave openings that are too small for a normal-sized human being so squeeze through.

Look Internally as Well as Externally for Threats

Finally, although it’s a sad state of affairs, the majority of problems that are caused to commercial properties are instigated by the people inside them, rather than outside them. Any company that occupies a commercial building should make sure that stringent background checks are undertaken on the people that they hire. This is not to say that anyone who has made mistakes in the past should not be allowed to work for a company within a commercial property, but the nature of some uses of commercial properties may mean that companies need to make a strict judgement call over all of the people that they hire.

This blog has been researched and written by Hooman Nissani. Mr Nissani is a successful entrepreneur and real estate development expert and is the co-owner of Nissani Brothers Enterprises in Greater Los Angeles. To contact Mr Nissani, please use this online contact form.