It’s that time of year when businesses (unless you’re in the retail or hospitality industries) are starting to wind down, and thinking about shutting their doors over Christmas. However, when your workplace is unoccupied, it quickly becomes a prime target for burglars and is exposed to extra property damage risks.
So, before you head out to grab a beer and celebrate the holidays with your family and friends, there are a few precautions you should take to prevent any unwanted disasters from happening before you return to work in the New Year.
Even as you’re starting to slow down for the year, take a moment to think about what will happen if something does go wrong over the Christmas break. For instance, what happens if there’s a burglary? You will need to make sure you have plans in place to combat any issues that arise. This might mean enlisting the services of a security company, or having staff on call should the alarm be triggered. When you designate your first responder, make sure it’s someone who can be trusted, someone who isn’t going away for the Christmas break, and someone who is willing to get up in the middle of the night to respond to any incidents.
The easiest way to deter any unwanted visitors is to install a functioning alarm or CCTV system. An alarm system will actively deter intruders, while also helping to minimise any damage to your property, or theft, as burglars will be quick to flee the scene when an alarm is triggered. Therefore, CCTV will add an extra level of security and protection to your business and any valuables or confidential information stored inside.
Any important files should be safely locked away at all times, especially over the Christmas period if the premises will be left unattended for some time. So, your legal, financial, HR, and other sensitive documentation should be kept in a locked filing cabinet or even a safe.
Likewise, any digital data should be secured with password encryptions and any necessary firewalls. You should also make sure all of your business’s data is securely backed up to an external hard drive or with secure Cloud storage.
Finally, before you close your doors for Christmas, make sure you speak with your insurance broker to make sure your business insurance is up-to-date. Regularly reviewing your insurance policies is important, so you can ensure your coverage continues to reflect your business needs, as well as any new exposures or any increased risks, such as an unattended office.
If you follow each of these steps, come mid-to-late December, you’ll be able to lock the doors and enjoy your Christmas break with the peace of mind your business is safe.
To find out if you have the best possible business insurance for your business, contact the team at Sydney Insurance Brokers today!
