February 2023

Owning commercial property means you have a responsibility to people on and around the property. Ensuring the safety of everyone protects you as well. The safety of every business’s employees, customers, and clients should be of the ut- most importance. Nothing else matters if the security of the property is in question. Patrons and employees should never be concerned about their safety while work- ing at or visiting your establishment. Read on the learn how to make your commercial property safer for use. Include Fire Safety Measures Including fire safety measures in your plan- ning is not only smart but also a require- ment. All property owners and employers must adhere to fire safety regulations. Fail- ing to do so could make them liable for any wrongful acts toward their employees and patrons. Avoid dealing with these consequences by having a few procedures in place. Make sure all fire detection systems and alarms work properly and are up to code. Have clear and visible fire escape routes. Train your employees on fire safety. Include fire safety signs around the proper- ty. Appoint a fire warden. With these guidelines in place, you’ll protect yourself against lawsuits and increase the safety of everyone near and in the building. Install a Security System No property is secure without an adequate security system. A lot of property owners base the extensiveness of their security on the distance of the property. Naturally, if there is more ground to cover, the system should be equipped to handle every area of the property. Install an up-to-date system. Don’t just go for the standard locked doors, flood lights, and alarm system. These are essential things to include, but the property should also have cameras at all access points. Place them stra- tegically so everyone’s facial features are vis- ible. Use a system that connects with your mobile to get constant updates on the secu- rity of your building. Control the Traffic If your property has a parking lot connected to the area, you need to worry about secu- rity here too. Car accidents are common in lots that don’t have adequate parking, sig- nage, or maintenance. Make sure there is proper spacing in your lot and include directional arrows for pa- trons to follow. Consider installing some speed bumps to ensure everyone keeps an appropriate pace. Keep Up with Maintenance Don’t slack on the maintenance in your building. Accidents can occur if you do not have adequate lighting or if you’ve missed an inspection. For every state and locality, there are requirements on how often you need to inspect specific areas of your prop- erty. Adhere to all of them. Lastly, don’t let problems fester. Too often, owners won’t fix a problem immediately be- cause they find a temporary solution. For example, if one bathroom is out, they tell employees to use another. This is a solution that should not go past a couple of days. Keep your commercial property safe and se- cure so everyone feels comfortable working and visiting. 9