How to protect commercial properties over Christmas

‘Tis the season to be… mindful about the security of your commercial property. Over Christmas, your premises could make the perfect gift for opportunist criminals.

And, the weather at this time of year doesn’t make for a happy Christmas. It can wreak havoc — and seriously disrupt your festive break.

So, what’s the solution? In this article, we’re looking at smart ways to protect your commercial property over Christmas so that you can just relax and enjoy the festivities.

Let’s start with the weather.

Watch out for the plumbing

Cold weather can cause plumbing problems, particularly if your property is empty and the heating is off.

You won’t want to risk frozen pipes. In a commercial property, the ensuing flood will mean major hassle and a disastrous repair bill.

Have you considered a drain down? We offer this at CSG as part of our vacant property security service. It involves shutting off the water at the stopcock, then draining all the water out of the system.

With empty pipes, there’s no danger of them bursting forth with gallons of water, just as you’re sitting down to enjoy Christmas dinner.

Check CCTV and alarms

Older security systems don’t like the cold. They’re not fond of strong winds and heavy rain either.

If you’re worried about how your CCTV and alarm system will cope over the winter, it’s worth having them inspected. If necessary, you can easily upgrade to a more modern, robust system which can withstand everything the British weather throws at it.

Remote CCTV monitoring provides you with even greater peace of mind. Trained responders at our alarm receiving centre monitor your security systems round the clock, including over Christmas. If something happens, they’ll spot it and react immediately.

On dark winter nights, with few on-site employees around, remote monitoring gives you a much-needed extra layer of protection.

Protect against trespassers

Over the Christmas period, commercial properties become a magnet for squatters. Your vacant building offers warmth, shelter and a great venue for anti-social behaviour.

To the local teenagers, it’s not just an empty property. It’s the perfect spot for a party.

Squatters and trespassers will always check out a property’s security before trying to get in. They’re looking for any signs of weakness — particularly doors, windows and the roof.

Make sure your doors and entry points are impenetrable by installing steel doors and window screens.

Have you checked the roof? Winter weather isn’t kind to roof tiles or gutters. Checking for damage now is much less hassle than dealing with the consequences after trespassers have used your roof to gain access.

Light it up

Criminals love the darkness — and there’s a lot of it about over Christmas. What criminals definitely don’t like is being put into the spotlight, lit up and caught in the act.

If you have dark corners at your property, particularly around doors and loading areas, install bright lighting.

Motion activated lighting is a smart option. It switches on only in response to movement, so you save energy, and it doesn’t draw attention to unoccupied areas of your property.

Keyholding is a good idea

Imagine this. You’re just settling down for an evening in front of Christmas telly, and your phone pings with an alert. An alarm has been activated at your empty property. You have to head out to investigate.

Actually, you don’t have to.

With our keyholding and response service, trained security staff can investigate the problem for you. If an alarm is triggered, professional responders immediately assess its cause and, whenever necessary, dispatch trained security personnel to the property. They’ll report back to you on what’s happened.

Meanwhile, you can carry on watching Strictly.

Consider security staff or mobile patrols

Manned guarding is the ultimate, high-level threat detection and deterrent. While everyone is away over Christmas, trained security personnel watch over your property 24/7 and protect it from harm.

Having said that, security staff don’t have to be in attendance 24/7. Mobile patrols can offer a flexible and adaptable form of security protection.

Mobile patrols are trained security staff who conduct random checks of the property. They can cover key access points and any vulnerable areas, looking out for signs of tampering or attempts at access. They will also check security systems, and watch out for any property damage caused by the weather.

As well as providing peace of mind, security personnel are a highly visible deterrent. Opportunistic criminals won’t take the risk of breaking in. It’s not worth it. They’ll look for somewhere with less robust protection.

Conclusion

When you’re responsible for the security of commercial premises, Christmas presents a challenge. With long dark nights, bad weather conditions and reduced staff availability, it’s difficult to just relax and enjoy the season.

A winter security strategy not only protects your property, it also takes the pressure off your shoulders. Whether your premises are vacant, or at their busiest during the Christmas period, it’s worth getting some professional advice.

For a no-obligation conversation about all things related to security, get in touch with the Classic Services Group team. We’d be delighted to hear from you.