Ensuring Safety at Your Vacant Commercial Property

Does your company currently own a commercial property that’s not in use and has simply been sitting vacant for a while? Whatever your reason for holding on to the property, whether for investment reasons, potential future use, or something else, making sure the building stays secure while vacant is of the utmost importance. Unfortunately, even with strong Ohio Commercial Property Insurance, a vacant building may still be vulnerable. If you’re wondering how to secure a vacant building, here are some easily actionable steps your business can put in place immediately.

Make Sure All the Major Access Points Are Thoroughly Secured

Perhaps the biggest vulnerabilities for any commercial property are the access points, so if you have to direct your business’s attention to addressing just one issue, this one should be at the top of your list. Ensure that all major entry and exit points are thoroughly secured, locked, and, if possible, monitored at all hours, whether in person or via technology. Some common break-in spots to double-check on include:

  • Interior and exterior doors
  • Windows
  • Side entrances designed for deliveries
  • Skylights
  • Inside entrances from other parts of the building

Consult With Neighboring Businesses and Visit Frequently To Ensure Good Condition

Even if your business’s commercial space is currently empty, there’s a good chance you may have other businesses next door. If you’ve met the owners or operators of those neighboring businesses, you might want to lean on them to help you keep your property safe. For example, you could:

  • Ask your neighbors in the surrounding businesses to keep an eye on the property and report any suspicious activity back to you
  • Let local law enforcement know that the building is vacant
  • Visit back as frequently as you can, ideally once a week, to check for yourself that the property is still secure and in good condition

Add Traditional and Modern Security Upgrades To Protect the Property

There’s no discounting the added benefit of using a variety of security measures to keep your business’s property safe. If the company budget allows it, you may want to implement a mix of traditional and modern upgrades around the property, including but not limited to:

  • Security cameras
  • An automatic alarm that calls the police when an intruder is detected
  • Exterior lighting activated by motion
  • Wi-Fi enabled smart locks that you can lock or unlock from your phone or laptop
  • Smart fire and smoke alarms that automatically notify first responders
  • Smart thermostats
  • Motion sensors
  • Moisture sensors to detect flooding

Leaving a commercial property vacant for prolonged periods of time can create risks, vulnerabilities, and worries even for established businesses well equipped with the right Ohio Commercial Property Insurance and more. If your company owns a commercial property not currently in use, help ensure that it stays safe and secure by implementing these important preventative measures.

About Haughn & Associates

Founded by Michael Haughn in 1986, Haughn & Associates is a full-service, family-owned, independent insurance agency based out of Dublin, Ohio. H&A strives to provide the best possible price and unique insurance solutions across a myriad of industries, including construction, IT, Habitation & Commercial Property, Agriculture, and Engineering. Devoted to providing the best of business insurance, life and disability insurance, personal insurance, employee benefits, and bonds, H&A is proof that success lies in long-standing client relations and satisfaction. To learn more about how H&A can be of service to you, contact us at (877) 802-2278.