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Home-Based
Business Safety and Security Issues
By Vishal P. Rao
Anyone that operates a business
from home knows that home-based business security issues often come up.
This is just part and parcel of running any home-based business.
Realistically, in order to be
successful at a home-based business, a business owner needs to release
their address and phone number to potential clients or buyers
eventually. Even if this is not done, it is rather easy for potential
clients and buyers to research and discover the phone number and
location of a home-based business.
Therefore, it can be harrowing at
times, for home-based business owners in the issues of safety and
security, especially if their home-based business is indeed, in their
home, exposing their family members to security and safety issues and
risks, as well as themselves.
This is not to say that undue
measures should be taken, or that undue fear should pervade. A
home-based business is really at no more risk of crimes against person
or property than a personal residence or any other type of business.
Pre-cautionary measures should
however, within normal guidelines be employed, to prevent any untoward
occurrences during the course of a business day and after office hours.
These measures can include, but should not be limited to the following:
1. The locking of doors and
windows as is convenient and the implementation of safety and security
devices, even when the building is occupied. Many home-based business
owners don't feel that they may legitimately keep the doors and windows
"locked", as they may feel that this will inconvenience their clients.
This is not true, as any visit to a corporate building will soon prove.
Whenever visitors enter a
corporate structure, they are usually scrutinized well by cameras,
security personnel and other safety and security methods. As a
home-based business owner, you do have every right to employ locked
doors and windows, and even implement security cameras and other
devices. It is your right under law, and clients, overall, will
understand this.
2. The use of structural security
measures, such as deadbolts, dogs, fencing, and one-way viewing glass
inserted into doors. Measures such as these are used routinely by
homeowners and a business within a home does not rule out the use of
these deterrents.
3. The use of a separate phone
line for business needs. This is only a small added expense per month,
but when clients call, no one in a home-based business person's "family"
will inadvertently answer, thus lending to the belief that the business
is not attached to a personal residence in any way.
4. The use of legitimate business
e-mail addresses. No personal addresses should be used. If a business
address is used, it leads clients to believe that the business is
larger, with more employees present in the building.
5. Routine office hours should be
kept. Answering the phone and taking orders ONLY within set regular
business hours will prevent clients from "showing up on the doorstep"
after certain hours, and will lend a more professional air to a
business.
6. Keeping background noise down
during office hours. Clients are quick to "pick up" on background
noises. On a professional level, an office should be as quiet as
possible, with no interruptions by "family" or "friends". This also is a
safety measure, as clients will assume the business is strictly
unattached from the residence if they sense no background noise.
7. Emergency phone numbers should
be posted in clear view. This includes fire, police, and other emergency
numbers.
8. A system of "check points" can
be established, whereas a friend or family member can regularly call or
enter the building or home, to determine if all is well.
9. An emergency system needs to be
in place. Any unwanted visitors or unwanted attentions by others need to
be reported completely and thoroughly to authorities, as soon as these
instances occur. This is especially true if threats or accusations
occur. Business owners do not need to "put up" with aggression or
unwanted visits by clients.
10. Common sense is the best
detriment to tragedies occurring in a home-based business. Never open
the door to strangers, never work alone late at night in a deserted
area, never deliver anything late at night to a bad neighborhood, or
otherwise put yourself or your family in jeopardy. If something doesn't
"feel" right, trust your instincts.
As you can see, running a business
within the home doesn't need to be fraught by peril. It does require
that safety and security measures are implemented, but this is true of
any type of business. Remember, "safety first, money later"!
Vishal P. Rao is the editor of
http://www.home-based-business-opportunities.com - A website
dedicated to opportunities, ideas and resources for starting a home
based business. He is also the owner of the
http://www.work-at-home-forum.com - an online community of folks who
work at home. |
