Home-Based Business Safety and Security Issues
By Vishal P. Rao
Posted Jun. 24, 2004
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"!
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Vishal P. Rao is the owner of
Home Based Business Opportunities - One of Internet's leading
website dedicated to starting, managing and marketing a home based
business.
