For retail stores, there is nothing worse than a burglary. While you can address shoplifting, a burglary has long-term effects. It takes a few months before a retail business can recover from a burglary. On the bright side, with professional security companies like Ontario Security Group Ltd., it is possible to prevent retail burglaries. Here are some simple but effective burglary prevention strategies for retail businesses.

Install Security Alarms

It is almost impossible for burglars to fool an alarm system. Most alarm systems come with multiple features that allow you to prevent unwanted intrusion on your commercial property and notify the concerned authorities before it’s too late. Here are different types of equipment you can use.

Motion Detectors

Motion detectors comprise infrared lights and ultrasonic waves. They can detect whenever somebody trespasses on your property and inform you in a timely fashion.

Glassbreak Detection

These devices can pick up the frequencies at which glass breaks. The moment it detects the frequency, the alarm goes off.

Video Verification

Video verification is a useful monitoring tool that tells you whether or not an intruder triggered an alarm. A video verification system contains motion-activated video cameras. Interestingly, the police department responds 85% faster to a verified alarm, and it also minimizes the rate of false alarms.

Door Contacts

The door contact informs the security system whether or not the door and windows are closed. This system contains two parts. One is attached to the door, and the other to the door frame. When they separate, the alarm goes off, alluding to an intrusion.

Video Surveillance System (CCTV)

A CCTV system is helpful for several reasons. It helps you monitor and record unwanted individuals on your property, notice any suspicious activities on the premises, and visually identify the intruder.

It prevents criminal activities at your retail store while helping the police find and convict the culprits. The best thing is it provides you documentary evidence of an intrusion, which helps you claim insurance.

 Access Control Implementation

As the name suggests, an access control system helps you limit access to your property at a specific time. You don’t want your customers to access areas on your commercial property. For example, the customers have access to the store, but you wouldn’t allow them to enter the stock room.

An access control system contains card readers. It limits access to your after working hours and limits access to the storerooms and technical support areas, even during the operational hours, thus providing you an added layer of security.

Sometimes, burglars use cards to enter a retail store rather than a break-in. The card readers will detect who it was, which helps you identify the culprits.

Clear Surrounding Areas

You don’t always have to tech things out. Sometimes, burglary prevention is as simple as clearing out the areas surrounding your retail space. Burglars are always on the lookout for entry points hidden from the street view or convoluted by the foliage of other environmental features.

These features include bushes, trees, vehicles, and signage. These elements provide extra cover for criminals and help them enter a retail store without getting noticed. You can remove this obstruction to make the store less appealing for burglars snooping around to get in.

Illuminate the Property

Installing high-lumen lights outside and around your retail store is instrumental to preventing burglaries, especially after dark. The brighter the surroundings, the higher is the likelihood of burglars being seen and reported.

Lights can be coupled up with security cameras, which help capture security footage describing the visual appearance of the culprits and suspicious individuals. While some events of burglary are impulsive, most of them are planned. A well-lit retail store surrounding will make a criminal second-guess his plan or impulses before they break in.

Install Security Signage

Breaking into a store with a security system is harder than breaking into an unprotected store, and burglars know that well. Signage is never the sole means of protection against burglaries, but it helps prevent criminal activities.

Hire Security Personnel

Hiring a security guard in Ontario adds an added layer of protection against burglars. Security guards are vigilant, and they promptly respond to emergencies. They are well-connected with law enforcement agencies and can notify them whenever needed.

Furthermore, security guards are trained in handling security equipment, which saves time. Also, the mere presence of a security guard reminds burglars, they might get in trouble for breaking in.

Secure Your Safes

Most burglaries are planned, and the burglars know where you keep your money. Your safe should be placed where it is hidden from the general public that frequents your store. Moreover, it would help to secure the safes to the floor, and not leave big amounts at the store overnight.

Make Break-Ins Difficult

To discourage burglars, put bars on the skylights, doors, and windows. It would help if you locked the windows and doors with a double-cylinder deadlock. Unlike regulars, a double-cylinder deadlock requires a key to open from both sides. These deadlocks make it difficult for burglars to get in and even trickier to escape.

Replace Glass Doors and Windows

Glass doors and windows are easy to smash. It would be best to replace glass doors and windows with laminated doors and windows, for they are difficult to break. You can also install tempered glass doors and windows. Tempered glass is stronger and makes a loud noise when broken.

Don’t Temp the Burglars.

You should lock High-value items in cases out of the burglars’ reach. Moreover, you should keep lightweight items away from the doors and windows. Valuable window display items should be removed when the store closes down.

The Final Word

Protecting a retail store is simple with the tips mentioned above. However, you need a professional security service provider like Ontario Security Group Ltd for added security. We provide businesses security services to prevent criminal activities on the premises and enable them to peacefully carry out their day-to-day activities. To benefit from our services, visit our website today.