Balancing Security & Convenience: Essential Strategies for Inns

Maintaining security while ensuring the ease of guest access is a constant challenge for innkeepers. To address this dilemma, innkeepers must develop a comprehensive security risk control program. Regularly reviewing and updating security protocols, such as installing surveillance cameras and proper signage, are just a few ways to contribute to the overall safety of the inn.

Explore these insights and strategies to strike a balance between security and guest convenience at your inn.

Mitigating Crime

Crime can be a challenge for inns, especially as employees, guests and vendors all have the opportunity to steal from you. To make matters worse, thieves can strike at any time, leaving owners to recoup any lost funds or valuables. Thieves do not need direct access to cash to steal from you; equipment and supplies are all fair game. What’s more, in the event a guest is the victim of a theft, you could be held responsible for the damages.

Security Procedures for Innkeepers

When establishing safety measures for your business, follow these guidelines to keep your inn secure:

• Provide adequate illumination in all areas of the facility.
• Keep foliage and shrubbery trimmed and maintained to provide accurate surveillance of the property.
• Use fencing as needed to control access.

Create a safe environment to avoid serious injuries at your inn. Check out these safety tips!

• Provide secure locking devices on all exterior doors, including accessible roof openings, doors to accessible balconies and terraces, shipping and receiving areas, and parking garage entrances, as needed.
• Provide for remote surveillance of the property.
• As a means of controlling access into buildings, keep exterior doors locked and provide 24-hour security in the lobby. Locking procedures should not conflict with Life Safety Code requirements.
• Install deadbolt locks, peepholes, safety chains (night latches) and self-closing devices on guest room doors.
• Provide information on safety and security policies in guest rooms.
• Control access to air intakes of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to prevent attempts to introduce contaminants into the system.
• Check the credentials of contract maintenance personnel.

General Safety Considerations if You Employ a Staff

To ensure your staff is well-versed in your security plan, it’s wise to implement these procedures:

• Develop and implement written security policies for the facility, emphasizing security for the lobby, guest rooms and shipping/receiving/storage areas.
• Conduct emergency drills.
• Advise staff of the need to be alert to the presence of suspicious packages or illegally parked or unidentified vehicles and to bring it to the attention of management.
• Perform pre-employment screening on staff, particularly those with access to guest rooms.
• Issue identification cards to all staff and require they be displayed at all times.
• Perform regular audits of safety measures, including past incidents of crime, to ensure security programs are up to date and procedures are being followed.

We’re Here to Help — CBIZ Innkeepers Insurance

While you may think your business would never be the victim of theft or a major emergency, the harsh reality is that most inns are at risk. The only way to ensure your inn has the protection it needs is through crime insurance, which is included in our comprehensive policy. We’ll also provide ongoing risk prevention support, safety initiatives and innovative options. For additional safety guidance and insurance solutions for your business, connect with a member of our team.

This blog may contain scenarios that are provided as examples only. Coverage is subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy issued. The information provided is general in nature and may be affected by changes in law or the interpretation of such laws. The reader is advised to contact a professional prior to taking any action based upon this information.

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