An image of someone shoveling snow, part of snow and ice removal

Preventing False Injury Claims with Video Monitoring

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

An image of someone shoveling snow, part of snow and ice removalNortheast winters bring snow and ice and with it many hazards. According to Massachusetts law, residential and commercial property owners may be held liable for injuries related to snow and ice on their property. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to lower the likelihood of winter-related accidents. To prevent false injury claims, couple these actions with a video surveillance system so you can verify that the appropriate steps were taken.  Read more →

A shoplifter engaging in retail theft

Four Common Crimes Retailers Face

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

According to the National Retail Federation, retail theft and fraud amounted to 1.62% of sales in 2019 and about $61.7 billion in losses. While these numbers are daunting, there are simple steps you can take to reduce theft in your business. Keep these common retail crimes in mind as you devise a loss prevention plan for your business.

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Two people discussing a business security CCTV project. Video security equipment and blueprint on a table.

The Importance of a Commercial Security Needs Analysis

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Two people discussing a business security CCTV project. Video security equipment and blueprint on a table.There are an average of over 400,000 commercial burglaries each year. For some business owners, this information is enough to convince them it’s time to install a commercial surveillance system on their property to boost their business security.

However, according to David Oles, Integrated Systems Consultant for American Alarm, a surveillance system all on its own won’t bring business owners the security they’re after. “[Business owners] think they need to install cameras for security to catch people when they break in, but that’s not [always] the right solution.”

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Flammable materials, workplace fire safety

Workplace Fire Safety: 6 Common Hazards and How to Avoid Them

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

An average of 52 fires occur every day in the workplace. 2019 alone produced nearly 19,000 workplace fires, resulting in $744 million in property damage. While it may not be possible to eliminate every potential fire hazard, there are still plenty of workplace fire safety practices you can implement to protect your workers, your office, and the financial health of your company.

Let’s tackle some of the most common workplace fire culprits and how to avoid them in your business.

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School entrance sign, school security

School Administrators: Can You Answer These 3 Important School Security Questions?

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

School entrance sign, school security

School security and safety is a top priority for parents. They want to know that their children are secure no matter where they are on campus. In order to ensure that this is the case, parents may approach you and other school administrators to question the school’s security protocols and practices. When they do, are you ready to answer them?

The following three questions are likely to be common points of inquiry from parents. If you are a school administrator, it’s imperative that you are able to respond to these questions when and if they arise.

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Cannabis plants growing in cannabis company growing facility

American Alarm Is a Powerful Security Partner for MA Cannabis Companies

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Cannabis plants growing in cannabis company growing facilityMany first-time cannabis company owners don’t realize that you need a security company on board before you even hire your building contractor or secure your funding. Security is highly regulated in the cannabis industry. Unlike other industries where you can tailor your security to your budget, in cannabis you must tailor your budget to security.

The Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) requires a certain number of devices based on multiple (sometimes vague) aspects of your business. These devices can include, but are not limited to:

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indoor growing operations, cannabis company owners

Three Costly Mistakes First-Time Massachusetts Cannabis Company Owners Make

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

indoor growing operations

Cannabis sales increased 67% last year, and more people support the use of the plant now than ever before. For business owners and security managers like you, you’ve spotted the potential to profit from this amazing opportunity. However, like with any industry, there are certain pitfalls that can tank a business venture before it even begins. If you’re moving into the cannabis space, avoid the following three costly mistakes commonly made by first-time Massachusetts cannabis company owners. With this boost in knowledge you can get your company off the ground as quickly and economically as possible.

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Broken door window, Business Security Tips

Business Security Tips

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

While you might have been covered in the past, you might want to upgrade, update, and implement new or better business security measures to ensure that you are protected in the future. Otherwise, you risk endangering your business. Read on for our business security tips.

Cover Your Entire Brick and Mortar with Video Surveillance

Partial video surveillance isn’t enough anymore. You may have portions of your location monitored by surveillance, but if you want to give yourself the best chance of deterring theft and break-ins, a full-scale surveillance strategy is imperative. Ensure that your front and back entrances, as well as your public floors and back rooms are completely covered by a high-quality video surveillance system.

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Security camera on blurred background of people in the cafe, concept of security and safety, protect your business

Ways to Protect Your Business Against Theft and Other Threats

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Security camera on blurred background of people in the cafe, concept of security and safetyBrick and mortar businesses can be the target of several types of crimes. If you have been the victim of a crime, or if you are worried about becoming one, you need to implement greater security measures. Let’s dig into some ways you can protect your business in the future from some of the most common threats.

Burglary

  • Use a Better Security System: A lock and key isn’t going to cut it anymore. A security system deters roughly 60% of would-be burglars. Keep your business equipped with a burglar alarm system built to alert you to intruders with speed and efficiency.

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Hand using security key card scanning to open the door to entering private building. Home and building security system.

How Access Control Systems Protect Businesses with a Semi-Remote Workforce

/by American Alarm Blogging Team

Hand using security key card scanning to open the door to entering private building. Home and building security system.Most companies had to pivot to an entirely remote workforce when the COVID pandemic hit. Many businesses are now able to open their offices again, but they may have elected to maintain at least a partially remote workforce. Before, employees came into the office on a regular schedule. Now some employees only come a couple days a week. The rest of the workweek is carried out at home.

While this has allowed employees and employers greater flexibility in terms of hiring and operating practices, a partially remote workforce comes with several potential security risks. When you don’t know where and when employees are in the building, you can lose equipment, experience theft, or inadvertently give access to parts of the office to those who do not need it, and should not have it.

An Access Control System can help you mitigate these risks. Here’s how. 

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