Picture this:
It’s 5:30pm. Your colleague is locking up for the day. It’s cold, dark, and quiet outside. Suddenly – BANG!- the front door slams open.
That dodgy latch? The one that’s been on your to-do list for weeks?
Tonight, the wind was strong enough to blow the door wide open.
A shadowy figure slips in. Hood up. Silent. The lights are off. All other doors are locked. Your colleague is alone and trapped inside with an intruder.
As the nights draw in, the risks rise.
Longer hours of darkness embolden the shadier members of society. The gloom gives them confidence. A weak point in your security could be all the opportunity they need.
With winter comes peak trading and pressure on every part of the business. Preparation is critical. That includes your security.
Here are 5 easy checks every business should make now to stay ahead of the dark season:
🧑🤝🧑 1. Talk to Your Staff
Your team’s safety is just as important as your stock.
✔️ Review closing-up procedures and lone working protocols
✔️ Ensure staff know how to set the alarm and who to call in an emergency
✔️ Reassure them that they are supported and not alone
🚪 2. Check Your Buildings
Physical security matters and neglect invites trouble.
✔️ Inspect doors, latches, shutters, and glazing for damage
✔️ Repair anything loose, broken, or unreliable before it fails
✔️ Report broken streetlights or dark spots to your local council
🔔 3. Test Your Alarms
Make sure your intruder alarm system is fully operational.
✔️ Confirm there are no faults zoned out on the panel
✔️ Book a maintenance visit with your security provider
✔️ Double-check that monitoring and response services are active
💡 4. Audit Your Lighting
Lighting is one of your strongest deterrents.
✔️ Replace any dead bulbs inside and outside
✔️ Check timers and motion sensors are working correctly
✔️ Adjust lighting schedules to match earlier sunsets
🎥 5. Review Your CCTV
When visibility drops, your cameras need to step up.
✔️ Clean lenses and check for obstructions
✔️ Confirm night vision (IR) is working on all necessary cameras
✔️ Make sure cameras are focused on key entry points and high-risk areas
Bonus Round! Your Smoke Screen.
Smoke Screens are a perfect complement to an effective alarm system – but only if they are working!
✔️ Check fluid levels and fault status.
✔️ Test fire the unit to confirm operation.
✔️ Let your colleagues know what Smoke Screen is and does.
This winter, don’t leave it to chance.
A few simple checks now could be the difference between chaos or calm in the months ahead.
Remember that colleague, locking up alone in the dark?
If the latch had been fixed, the door wouldn’t have flown open.
If the lights were on, the intruder might never have dared step inside.
If the alarm had activated, they would never have been at risk in the first place.
Security isn’t just about protecting stock — it’s about protecting people.
Take the time to fix the small issues before they become big problems.
Because when the nights grow darker… even the smallest crack in your security can let something, or someone, slip through.
