Evil eyes always seek an opportunity to steal something, whether it’s your home or office. More than 30% of businesses go bankrupt due to employee theft. Thieves (internal employees, visitors, and third parties) can steal anything from documents to cash, employee belongings, stationery, and medical supplies. CCTV cameras can identify thieves, but they cannot stop thefts. Companies and residents must buy lockers that can minimize theft.
People in private houses and residences may think they are safe, but that’s not true. Burglaries and break-ins are on the rise these days. 72% of burglaries happen when residents are not at home, and police solve only 12% of burglary cases. Lockers are as much a necessity for residences as they are for businesses.
However, things are not that simple. Individuals and businesses must implement the right locker strategies to reduce thefts and break-ins. What are these strategies? Will they prevent thefts? How much will lockers cost? This blog will touch on multiple aspects related to lockers. Let’s get started.
10 Tricks and Tips to Deter Locker Thefts and Break Ins
The global locker market’s value stood at USD 3.22 billion in 2204 and is expected to reach USD 14.12 billion by 2031 (20.30% CAGR). These statistics show that there is a growing demand for lockers.
Below are ten tricks and tips that individuals and companies can implement to minimize thefts and break-ins.
1. Quality Matters
The most expensive products may not be the best, but the cheapest ones are often the worst. Cheap lockers are often flimsy and don’t last long. Businesses and individuals must invest in high-quality lockers, such as stainless steel lockers, with robust security features like combination locks, padlocks, or electronic locks.
Sturdy lockers made of steel or iron and equipped with security features can be hard for miscreants and thieves to break. However, people must not share their combinations or keys with others because doing so may compromise locker safety.
2. No Valuables in Lockers
Prevention is better than cure. Yes, you heard it right. Don’t store valuable items like jewellery, large amounts of cash, or expensive electronic goods in the locker. Such high-value items belong in a bank locker or a top-notch home safe. Store limited items and belongings in the lockers, such as keys, medicines, and other items of daily use.
3. Regular Checks
Don’t leave belongings in lockers for extended periods. Individuals must check their storage lockers regularly, which will highlight signs of tampering or unauthorized access. Moreover, when people report theft quickly, it becomes easier for authorities to track the culprits.
4. Proper Locking and Closing
Employees and students (in schools and colleges) often forget to lock their lockers. These are the times when their belongings are the most vulnerable. Even if people are away from their lockers for a few minutes, they should lock them properly.
Also, stuffing lockers is a bad practice. Stuffing too many items in the locker makes it hard to close them securely, and thieves can easily open such lockers and steal items.
5. Detailed Inventory
All locker items should be fully accounted for, including the serial numbers and descriptions. Keeping a detailed inventory of locker items helps in case of theft or filing insurance claims. Employees and management must take photos of valuable items, if possible, as proof.
6. Educate and Create Awareness
Thieves and mischief-mongers will steal and create problems. However, management in educational institutions and workplaces must educate individuals about theft policies and their consequences. Organizing awareness programs about storing belongings in lockers, locking them, and following best locker practices will go a long way in minimizing thefts.
As mentioned above, these measures may not stop people from stealing. However, it will ensure good citizens follow proper practices to protect their belongings from theft.
7. Invest in Alarms and CCTVs
Alarms and security cameras are excellent measures to curtail theft. Motion-activated alarms in storage lockers alert people on the premises about unauthorized access and break-in attempts. The sound of these alarms can stop thefts and acts of vandalism.
On the other hand, security cameras may not prevent unauthorized access or theft but can identify the culprits.
8. Insurance the Lockers
Are storage lockers on the premises covered under insurance? Whether it’s a residential or commercial property, having your belongings insured helps. It is vital to read the insurance clause and check if belongings inside lockers fall under the cover. In cases of theft or damage, individuals can claim insurance for their belongings and reduce their losses.
9. Right Spot
The location of storage lockers also matters. Rather than installing lockers in outdoor areas like the canteen, cafeteria, or reception, installing them inside where there is less movement makes sense. Installing lockers indoors reduces the chances of outsiders, third parties, and anti-social elements entering those areas and damaging lockers.
10. Maintenance and Monitoring
Always be aware of who enters your premises. Knowing their movements is vital, whether workers, relatives, friends, or others. People entering the premises must be asked to produce identification, or they can gain access through biometric identification.
Damaged lockers are easy targets for theft. It conveys that the management/owners don’t care about their employees and belongings. Thieves and miscreants can access these lockers and flee with employee belongings, resulting in losses. Moreover, the business also gets a bad name due to such incidents. So, it’s crucial to monitor visitor movement and ensure proper storage locker maintenance.
Final Thoughts
Lockers are an excellent investment that boosts employee morale and productivity while protecting belongings. However, if companies and individuals don’t care for the lockers, they won’t get the desired benefits. It is advisable to implement the right strategies, from choosing the right lockers and installing them to maintaining and monitoring them. Lockers have been around for decades, and they will always remain relevant.