If you own a business, you know that it’s just not possible to protect everyone’s safety all the time. You also know that for your business to survive and thrive, you have to do everything possible to protect your customers, tenants and employees, as well as reduce the risk of liability on your premises — including installing a business alarm system.

Without the right security measures in place, if someone gets hurt on your property and sues you, not only will you suffer financial loss, your reputation will also suffer.

There are any number of reasons business owners can be liable for injuries suffered on their premises. For example, if someone slips and falls on wet floors, down stairs, or on ice and snow you neglected to clear off a walkway or driveway — you may be held responsible for any of these injuries.

So what’s a business owner do to to reduce the risk of premises liability?

First off, as a business owner, you’re required to keep your property free of dangerous conditions.

The next best thing to do is install a good business video surveillance system. A high-quality video camera system will let you look at what was happening on your property at any given time including looking at the actions of any person filing a liability lawsuit against you.

In the event you’re hit with a liability lawsuit, be sure to turn the video over to your insurance company, which can use it to determine if the litigant was partially or fully responsible for whatever happened. For further protection, make sure you find an alarm company with 24-hour security monitoring available, to keep your business property secure at all hours of the day.

Other than a business security system, there are some other tips to help you reduce your premises liability risks:

• Keep your property in good shape. Ensure that the outside and inside of your building and the land surrounding it are free from potential hazards. That includes checking the roof for leaks and making sure the drainage system is working properly. Fix loose stair railings and clear obstructed hallways and walkways.
• Get rid of ice and snow. New England generally gets hit pretty hard with snow — be sure to clear driveways, walkways and stairs of snow and ice. Throw down some rock salt to melt the ice and then some sand or kitty litter to prevent people from slipping.
• Lighten up. Make sure you have adequate lighting inside and outside so people won’t trip and fall because they can’t see where they’re going. Consider installing motion activated lights outside to be sure there’s always enough light at night. A properly-lit property helps video surveillance visibility, as well.
• Check smoke alarms. Check smoke alarms, fire extinguishers and sprinklers often — make sure they are working properly. In the event of a fire, people have a better chance of exiting the building without being injured. Additionally, clearly mark exit signs so people know how to get out in the event your fire alarm system sounds.
• Maintain carbon monoxide alarms. Hotel owners, landlords, particularly, but all businesses in general must inspect and maintain their carbon monoxide alarms as well as their furnaces to ensure the safety of their guests and customers. In 2012, a Rhode Island man died in his sleep from carbon monoxide poisoning while vacationing in West Virginia. The hotel was found responsible for this, and the numerous other guests also hospitalized — don’t let faulty alarm equipment cost your company.

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