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How To Prevent Business Burglaries

Your business is your livelihood and when a criminal targets your business, you can lose some or all of your investment. There are so many things to worry about when you are a business owner. These worries include paying staff, although Intuit payroll service can make this much easier. Taking action to secure your business will make it safer and less of a target for burglars or other criminals. There are a number of security measures you can use to help prevent business burglaries including using light and securing windows and doors. You can also help prevent business burglaries by using a safe to store important items, using high quality locks, and installing a commercial security system.

Use light to prevent business burglaries

Lighting is the easiest security measure you can put in place to prevent burglaries. Burglars like to hide in the shadows to avoid detection. If you light the inside and outside of your business, it is easier for the police and security personnel to see if there is an intruder. All points of entry, alleyways, and parking lots should be lit with bright security lights. You can use lower wattage lights inside, but the interior should still allow security personnel to see without a lot of strain.

Prevent business burglaries by securing windows and doors

Securing windows and doors is a good way to prevent business burglaries. Make sure all your windows are in good condition and well sealed. If a window opens, it should have a secure lock in place. A window should allow someone on the outside to see inside your business clearly. Do not put displays or filing cabinets in front of the windows. If your business is in a high crime area, consider adding burglar resistant security glass or adding iron bars over the windows to help prevent burglaries. Doors should be solid with door frames that are not easily broken into. Inspect door frames for any sign of rot or weakness and if you find any, have the damage repaired as soon as possible. A weakness in the frame of a door is a possible entry point for a burglar. Your door lock should also be very secure, and you may need to get in contact with some House Locksmiths if you fear that your door is not secured enough by your lock.

Use high quality locks to secure your business

For basic security, the locks in your business should be of the highest quality. All entry points to your business should have a high quality lock in place that used at all times that the building is not occupied. Entry points include doors, windows, skylights, emergency exits, garage doors, and warehouse doors. A lock may not completely keep a determined burglar out, but it will slow criminals down and help to prevent burglaries. If you don’t have an electric garage, you may consider getting one installed as a method to deter thieves. Call a company such as http://balancedgaragedoors.com to come out and install one for you.

Use a storage safe to prevent burglaries

Use a safe to keep cash and valuables secure. The safe should be secured to the floor and in a protected area of your business that is not easily accessible. The security code for the safe should be changed on a regular basis, especially after an employee quits or is terminated.

Install a commercial security system to prevent business burglaries

Get a commercial security system installed for your business. A security system does not offer a physical barrier, but a way to detect intrusions early and get the police out quickly. A security system can also sound an alarm to prevent burglaries before they are committed. Adding signs that indicate you have a security system can even deter some criminals.

Use video surveillance as part of your commercial security system to help prevent burglaries. Visible cameras on the outside of the building can keep some criminals from even approaching the business. You should have cameras covering all sides of your business because a single camera out front is not going to secure the other three sides. Having video surveillance inside the business can catch criminals in the act and can provide evidence of a crime in a court of law.

If you want to secure your business from burglaries, call the experts at 1st Alarm today at 1 (800) 276-5559. You can also connect with us via email through our Contact Us page, or visit us in person. We provide alarm services throughout West Texas and the Texas Panhandle, with locations in Midland, Odessa, Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene, El Paso, and San Angelo.

How To Choose The Right Kind Of Security System For Your Business

Having a security system for your business in Lubbock, Texas protects your investment. It is important for your safety that you know how to choose the right kind of security system for your needs. Factors to consider when you are buying a security system include the location of your business and your type of business. Also consider where your business needs protection and if you would like to control access to it.

Location of your business

Consider where your business is located in Lubbock, Texas. Are you in a questionable part of town where it gets a little dangerous after dark? Are you near a quiet residential area in a strip mall, where it is fairly safe all of the time? Consider the security you need based on your location and the clientele that work or shop near your business.

Your type of business

The type of business you own in Lubbock, Texas can help you choose the right security system. If you sell diamond jewelry, then you may need a more complex system. If you sell less expensive items, or do not carry much inventory on hand, then you may need less complex security. Consider the items you have that thieves may want to steal and this will help you choose the right security system for your establishment.

Where your business needs protection

Make a list of your concerns regarding your Lubbock business and where you think a security system may best be installed. Does the shipping door make you nervous? Do you suspect employees of stealing from the supply closet? Do you want to keep track of everyone who enters and exits the building? Create a list of your concerns and this will make it easier to pinpoint where you need protection the most. You can install a customized security system based upon your concerns.

Sadly, you may need a security system to keep an eye on your employees in order to reduce or eliminate employee theft, vandalism, and violence. Being able to monitor everything inside and outside of your business can help you safeguard yourself and your company’s assets. Using video security is a great way to monitor your organization from the inside, as well as outdoor areas where intruders could break in.

Controlling access to your business

Access control is a great way to secure your business in Lubbock, Texas. You can use keycards to restrict access to specific employees and to keep an eye on everyone going in and coming out of your company. This type of security system can help you catch any intruders.

For more information

Let the experts at 1st Alarm guide you to the right system for your needs. Call us today at 1 (800) 276-5559. You can also contact us via email through our Contact Us page, or visit us in person. We provide alarm services throughout West Texas and the Texas Panhandle, with locations in Midland, Odessa, Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene, El Paso, and San Angelo.

Choosing The Right Commercial Security System For Your Small Business

Commercial security systems come in many sizes and configurations. Selecting the right commercial security system for your small business in can be challenging. If you need to install or upgrade a commercial security system in your business, take the time to determine your needs. Also consider the monitoring options that are available and if the system has easy pass-code management. Finally, consider the cost of a commercial security system for your small business.

Determine what you need in a commercial security system

The nature of your business is going to determine what your protection requirements are. If you own a jewelry store, you are going to have specific needs that a lumber yard does not. If you work out of a closed office, you will have different security needs than a retail store. Assess your business and determine what you want to monitor. Do you need to watch both customers and employees? Do you need to monitor the outside of the building as well as the inside or are you having a problem with vandalism? Asking questions about what you need to monitor can help you determine what you need from your commercial security system.

Monitoring options for a commercial security system

The classic security system of decades past was a closed circuit television (CCTV) set-up that recorded video to tape. This option also lets people view the feeds live if needed. Although this system is still available, there are other options available today. You can choose a monitoring service that can respond 24/7 to any situation in which an alarm is triggered. This service can be connected through a hard phone line or a cellular connection. Another security option is to have the ability to see video feeds through your smart device. With this type of monitoring, you can quickly tell if you have a burglary in progress or an employee fumbling with the system keypad.

Easy pass-code management

When you have a commercial security system installed for your small business, you need to be able to issue unique passcodes for each employee. Pass-codes allow you to trace who is arming and disarming the alarm at any given time. You also need the ability to add, change, and remove pass-codes as employees are hired and let go.

The cost of a commercial security system for your small business

A good commercial security system should fit within your budget. Before you sign any contract, ask for a complete breakdown of what a your business’s protection is going to cost. This breakdown should include installation costs, ongoing maintenance fees, monthly monitoring fees, and any other service fees the security company may charge.

It is important not to base your choice of commercial security system on the cost alone. However, it is also critical that you know what you will be getting for what you are going to pay. You do not want to pay for a hidden charge or an unspoken upgrade.

Your small business in will be safer once you install a commercial security system. If you want to add a commercial security system to your business, let the experts at 1st Alarm guide you to the right system for your needs. Call us today at 1 (800) 276-5559. You can also contact us via email through our Contact Us page, or visit us in person. We provide alarm services throughout West Texas and the Texas Panhandle, with locations in Midland, Odessa, Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene, El Paso, and San Angelo.

Security Systems May Reduce Business Insurance Policy Premiums

Adding a commercial security system to your business can help you in many ways. A commercial security system can deter criminals, detect employees who are less than honest, and can sense fires as well as get assistance to your business quickly. A commercial security system can also help externally and internally reduce business insurance policy premiums by decreasing the risk that you present to them. If you’re looking to compare insurance quotes, consider using a service like constructaquote.com.

Externally reducing business insurance policy premiums

How do insurance companies determine the premiums you pay for a policy? Insurance agents software helps companies work out what the price of your policy will be, but it all comes down to risk. The higher risk that you present, the higher the premium you will pay. A commercial security system lowers the risk that your company will be the victim of criminal activity, potentially reducing your business insurance policy premiums.

Criminals are less likely to enter a building that has external video cameras. An alarm system will alert the central monitoring system if someone enters without a valid entry code. Internal cameras can capture video of the criminal’s activities and possibly help with identification. This captured footage makes finding and prosecuting criminals easier.

Internally reducing business insurance policy premiums

Besides external security issues, a commercial security system can detect internal security issues. As a business owner, you take care to hire people who you think you can trust. Unfortunately, you may find the people you trust to run your business may not be honest. Internal cameras can help you find out if someone on your staff is stealing or defrauding you. This allows you to take action and lower your internal losses.

A commercial security system also has other advantages besides monitoring criminal activity. What would happen if a fire started in your business and no one knew it was happening? Your commercial building likely has a fire alarm installed, but does it connect to monitoring services? If not, then you are dependent on someone hearing that alarm and calling authorities. With a professionally monitored commercial security system, the monitoring service contacts the fire department as soon as the alert comes through.

Contact your insurance agent and speak with them about what adding a commercial security system would mean for your business insurance premiums. Even if your current insurance carrier does not offer lower premiums for commercial security systems, there are companies that do.

If you want to add a commercial security system to your business, let the experts at 1st Alarm guide you to the right system for your needs. Call us today at 1(800) 276-5559. You can also connect with us via email or visit us in person. We provide alarm services throughout West Texas and the Texas Panhandle, with locations in Midland, Odessa, Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene, El Paso, and San Angelo.

Options For Monitoring Wireless Home Security System Alarms

If an alarm goes off in your home, what happens? The whole idea of getting a wireless home security system in the first place was to protect you, your family, and your home from intruders, thieves, and other criminals. You want that protection to happen, even if you are not home. That is where a wireless home security system alarm monitoring comes into play. There are various options available for monitoring your wireless home security system alarm. Self alarm monitoring and telephone line monitoring can leave your home vulnerable to intruders, thieves, and other criminals. VoIP monitoring is a newer option for those with a fast, reliable internet connection. GSM cellular alarm monitoring is the newest option available and probably the most reliable.

Self alarm monitoring and telephone line monitoring can leave your home vulnerable to intruders, thieves, and other criminals

With self monitoring, you receive an alarm from the home security system via your cell phone. It is completely up to you to respond to the alarm. You have to determine whether to call the police, an ambulance, or the fire department. This form of monitoring only works if your cell phone is charged and you have it on you at all times. This kind of wireless home security system is not provided or supported by most alarm companies.

With telephone line monitoring, your home security system is tied into a hard phone line. This option is very reliable, but also very vulnerable. A burglar can cut the phone line, completely cutting off the alarm from the central monitoring system.

VoIP alarm monitoring is a newer option for those with a fast, reliable internet connection

Instead of using a hard phone line to connect to the central panel, this option connects through the Internet using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). VoIP involves converting analog signals from the home security system control panel to data packets that can run over an internet feed. The problem with VoIP is that it relies on a fast, reliable internet connection, this why some businesses use voip monitoring to keep an eye on their servers and networks. If your internet connection is slow or unreliable, it will delay or prevent the alarm from reaching the central monitoring station.

GSM cellular alarm monitoring is the newest option available

Instead of relying on a hard phone line or an internet connection, this kind of monitoring sends signals via the cellular phone network. This option works much like the hard phone line systems, without the vulnerability of having the phone line cut. If you get strong cell phone signals in your home, this is probably the most reliable option you can go with.

If you are in the market for a new home security system, contact us here at 1st Alarm. We provide residential and commercial security systems throughout West Texas and the Texas Panhandle, with locations in Midland, Odessa, Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene, El Paso, and San Angelo. Give us a call today at 1(800) 276-5559. You can also contact us via email. We look forward to providing you with the best home security system available.