After working hard to build and grow your business from home, it feels good when a business trip comes up. In fact, around 9 out of 10 small business owners say they enjoy business travel. Whether you are traveling to meet an investor, meet up with a loyal client, expand your skills, or scout for opportunities, you’ll need to prepare adequately before leaving home.
Unlike vacations, it’s hard to predict how long you’ll be away for business. Most times, it’s the people you are meeting who will determine how long you stay. An investor could keep you waiting, a client may move the meeting back, or an irresistible opportunity could force you to overstay. So, how do you ensure that your home and business tools are safe when you leave for an uncertain duration?
Here’s how to protect your assets.
Put Everything on Lockdown
Whether the trip is a one-day event or a two-week activity, put everything under lock and key before leaving. Experts offering professional locksmith Edmonton services note that doors are the most common entry point for burglars, so start by securing your front, back, and garage doors. Install quality drill- and pick-proof deadlocks that can withstand forced break-ins.
Next is the windows — install unbreakable glass and make sure the lock mechanisms are functioning effectively. Before you leave, remove all valuables from plain sight and lock up all your expensive gadgets, devices, and equipment in a safe or drawer.
Leave the Right Impression
One inexpensive trick that can help discourage would-be criminals from visiting your home is creating an illusion that someone’s around. Darkness is a trademark of an empty house — exactly what thieves look for. Instead of leaving your light on throughout the trip, invest in a light switch timer.
You can easily program it to automatically turn the lights on when it gets dark and off around the time you usually sleep. Other steps you should take include leaving some curtains open and setting the TV timer to turn it on in the evenings.
Invest in a Smart Alarm
One of the best tools for protecting your home is an alarm. While a security camera helps you record a crime, an alarm can stop it before it happens. The loud noise a siren emits is enough to alert the neighbors and make a thief tremble and abandon the mission. A smart alarm is an advanced wireless version of a traditional burglar alarm controlled using a smartphone.
It notifies you and lets you trigger or turn off the siren from your app when the sensors detect unusual activity. This feature is helpful, as you won’t risk annoying your neighbors if it’s a false alarm. You can also configure it to alert the police in case of an emergency.
Get a Video Doorbell Camera
A video doorbell can instantly increase your home’s security. It gives you a 180-degree view of what’s going on at your front door. It’s equipped with motion sensors and a camera that records HD video. When it detects motion at your front door, it sends you an instant alert, and you can check what’s going on through your phone. Some systems also come with a microphone and speaker, allowing you to communicate with the person at the door.
Secure the Future of Your Home-Based Business
For home-based business owners, a break-in into your home has the potential to knock you out of business, cutting off your source of income. You must stay a step ahead of other homeowners in matters of home security. When you aren’t sure whether an overnight business trip could turn into an extended stay, take the measures above before packing your bags.
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