It's that time of year again when everyone winds down and gets ready for their holiday break over Christmas and New Year. For many small and medium-sized businesses, this means shutting up shop for several days or even weeks.
However, while employees enjoy well-earned downtime, an unattended business can become a target for opportunistic criminals who take advantage of the holiday season to disrupt unsuspecting businesses. Taking a few steps to secure the premises ahead of this period is essential to providing peace of mind and preventing unfortunate disruptions when it's time to reopen.
One of the most effective ways to protect businesses during the shutdown is through 24/7 monitoring. Internal police data shows retail crime has surged, with a 17 percent increase in the first five months of 2024 compared to the same period last year, making after-hours protection especially critical.(1) If an alarm is triggered, monitoring professionals can quickly assess the situation and determine whether further action is needed. This could be something as simple as a false alarm—sometimes caused by weather conditions, pests, or shifting shadows. However, in any instance, if an alarm is triggered on the property, the monitoring team can respond by contacting licensed security personnel or local authorities to investigate.
"Visible security cameras act as a strong deterrent for would-be intruders and provide crucial evidence if something goes wrong. Many businesses with visible cameras find they discourage break-ins or vandalism because criminals don't want to be caught on camera," said General Manager ADT Security, Alison Kingdon.
"When criminals see cameras, they know their actions are being recorded and the jig is up. Best-case scenario, they might move on. If they don't, and something does happen, businesses have footage that can help with insurance claims and investigations, which makes it easier for police to track down the culprits and for businesses to recover any costs."
Before closing for the holidays, there are some practical steps every business should take to reduce security risks:
1. Ensure your security cameras and alarm systems are working correctly, the system is up to date, and that the cameras cover all key entry points.
2. Secure all doors and windows. Double-check all access points, so nothing is left unlocked or vulnerable.
3. Communicate with neighbouring businesses or local security. Let them know the business will be closed for a period, so they can keep an eye out for any unusual activity.
4. Schedule regular patrols or property checks. Some businesses arrange for a security company or a trusted individual to visit the premises periodically during the holiday break.
"Taking a few proactive steps can save business owners a lot of trouble when they reopen after the holiday," said Alison Kingdon.
"No one wants to return to damaged property or stolen assets. We've seen how proper preparation can prevent everything from petty vandalism to major theft. Businesses should do what they can now, so they don't have to worry over the holidays."
