No one wants to deal with theft or a break-in, but sometimes it happens. You probably don’t want to hear this, but there is a silver lining. Regardless of the negative impact on your business, look at this as an opportunity to improve your security. Now you see where the vulnerable points were, and you can protect them. Here’s how to handle your business after a break-in.
Call the Authorities
As soon as you see there’s been a break-in, dial 911. Your first instinct will be to enter the building and see what has happened. Don’t do that. First off, you have no idea whether the culprits are still inside. Chances are they’re gone, but you need to put your safety first.
Call the authorities and notify them of what’s happened. They will enter the property with you. Once you’re inside, you’ll both begin assessing the damage. Start filing a report immediately. You’ll need all that information for the insurance company. Keep a physical copy and pictures as a backup.
Find Out What’s Missing
Next, you need to take inventory of every item. It might seem overwhelming at the time, but don’t rush the process. Your adrenaline will be pumping, but don’t move any faster than you need to. You don’t want to miss anything.
Pull up your most recent inventory list, and start comparing. It will make it easier to see what’s missing or damaged. Make a list of the damaged items too. You need to document everything for your insurance report.
Survey the Property
After you’ve taken inventory of all the missing items, survey the property. Find the place of entry, and see how they did it. Most business and storefront break-ins happen from busting the door or window glass.
If they broke your commercial glass door, you’ll need to close off the area and clear the glass. Use this moment as an opportunity to see where your property was vulnerable. Maybe you need reinforced glass or better security. You now have the chance to see how to better secure the property.
Draft a New Plan
This brings us to our next point. Do you need better security? What does that mean for your business? “Better” could mean motion sensors, steel bars, more cameras, or an alarm system that’s connected to your phone. Find out what measures are best for your business.
A new plan also means you may need to shut down the business for a couple of days. Calculate how much money you’ll lose, and plan how to make it back when you’re up and running again. You’ve also lost product, so you need to figure out how to make up for that. Some of the insurance money should cover it.
A break-in at any business is a tragedy, but you’ve got strategies in place to handle situations like this and move forward.