SEi // The Sign of Security

Security Tips

BE OBSERVANT – employees should always remain alert and observant, watching for suspicious persons or vehicles around the business, especially at opening and closing time.
Have regular safety meetings to discuss and develop a plan on how to address topics such as: how to respond during a robbery (do not resist), how to notify police, how to obtain a suspect description, how to obtain a vehicle description, planning an escape route, how to activate an alarm and when not to activate an alarm.
Keep the inside of your business well lit; especially the entrances and exits.
Keep cash at a minimum, and post notices in the doorway of this fact.
The cash register should be visible from outside the store. A clear view to the register from the street or parking lot assists police officers to see inside as they patrol the area.
Consider the installation of video cameras or alarm systems.
Make bank deposits during the daylight hours, and go directly to the bank. Do not make any stops along the way and do not take the same route to the bank each time you go.
Two employees should open and close the business if at all possible. Do not admit customers after store hours.
Know where police stations and fire stations are in your area. These locations are places of safety should an employee suspect he or she is being followed.
Keep your parking lot well lit at night and make sure employees keep their cars locked at all times.

DO install commercial smoke detectors on every floor.
DO plan your escape routes in case a fire does start.
Install commercial fire sprinklers.
Designate a smoking area OUTSIDE your building and supply the proper smoking material disposal containers.

Determine your escape routes. Try to have at least two or three alternate escapes routes from each main area or room. Make maps of your planned escape routes and meeting area and post them throughout the building. Educate your employees about the routes and perform regular drills.
You can't hide from a fire! NEVER try to hide from a fire. Follow your escape plan to get out, and then stay out.
Crawl under smoke! If you run into smoke when you're escaping, try another way out. If you have to escape through the smoke, crawl on your hands and knees. Stay low, under the smoke--about 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 centimeters) above the floor.
Don't stop! When you hear a smoke alarm, leave the building. Don't try to save anything.

Vacuum and test your smoke detectors monthly.
Place at least one detector in a hallway outside a work area. If the hallway is longer than 30 feet, detectors should be installed at each end of the hallway.
Keep detectors away from cooking fumes to avoid false alarms (kitchens/break rooms).
Place a unit at the top of each stairwell.
Mount unit on ceiling at top of stairway, away from exhaust from furnace or water heater.

Fire extinguishers (multi-purpose ABC types) should be kept at readily available locations near potential fire sources (furnaces and stoves) and also near employee work areas.
There should be a minimum of one fire extinguisher on each level of the building with no more than 25 feet between extinguishers.
Extinguisher contents will empty fast so proper use is essential. Stand 6-8 feet from the fire and aim at the base of the fire and sweep from side to side.