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December brings more than holiday cheer for small business owners. Shorter days, irregular employee schedules, and early closures can quietly increase your risk of theft, vandalism, and safety incidents. When routines change, criminals notice — and they often take advantage of unattended buildings and inconsistent security habits.
If you’re running lean this time of year, a few smart precautions can make all the difference.
Why December Is a High-Risk Month for Small Businesses
The holiday season disrupts normal operations in ways that can weaken security:
- Reduced on-site staffing
- Early closings and extended after-hours downtime
- Employees working unfamiliar or rotating schedules
- Buildings sitting dark for longer periods
These gaps create opportunity. Break-ins, vandalism, and unauthorized access tend to spike when businesses look inactive or poorly monitored.
After-Hours Theft and Vandalism: What to Watch For
When your doors close earlier than usual, your building becomes more vulnerable. Criminals often look for signs like dark storefronts, overflowing mail, or inconsistent alarm use.
Common after-hours risks include:
- Smash-and-grab thefts
- Forced door or window entry
- Vandalism to exterior doors, glass, and signage
- Unauthorized access to stockrooms or offices
A properly armed and monitored alarm system is your first line of defense, especially when no one is on-site.
“Most after-hours incidents happen because systems weren’t armed correctly or someone assumed ‘we’ll only be gone a short time.’”
Managing Security With Irregular Holiday Schedules
Holiday staffing changes can unintentionally lead to security mistakes. New or temporary schedules increase the chance of:
- Forgetting to arm the alarm
- Sharing alarm codes casually
- Leaving doors unlocked during shift changes
Make sure everyone who opens or closes the building understands their responsibility. A short reminder meeting or written checklist can prevent costly oversights.
Best practices include:
- Assigning clear opening and closing duties
- Limiting alarm code access to essential staff only
- Updating codes if seasonal staff are used
- Verifying doors and windows before arming the system
Consistency matters most when routines are disrupted.
Alarm Checks Before Early Closings or Holiday Shutdowns
If your business closes early for a holiday — or shuts down for several days — a quick alarm system check is critical.
Before closing:
- Confirm the alarm system is fully operational
- Test door and motion sensors
- Verify monitoring is active
- Ensure backup batteries are functioning
- Lock all secondary entrances, not just the front door
If you’ll be closed for multiple days, consider scheduling a system check ahead of time. It’s much easier to fix an issue before you leave than to respond to an alert after hours.
Lighting and Visibility Still Matter
Security isn’t just about alarms. Well-lit buildings are less attractive targets.
Simple steps include:
- Keeping exterior lights on overnight
- Using timers or motion lighting
- Ensuring parking lots and rear entrances are visible
- Removing hiding spots near doors and windows
Even modest lighting improvements can significantly reduce risk.
Don’t Let Reduced Staffing Mean Reduced Protection
Modern security systems are designed to work even when you’re not there. With professional monitoring, alarms don’t rely on employees being present — they rely on fast response.
When something goes wrong after hours, trained monitoring professionals can:
- Verify alarm signals
- Contact authorities immediately
- Notify designated contacts
- Reduce response times when every minute counts
That peace of mind is especially valuable during the busy holiday season.
About Modern Systems
Modern Systems helps small businesses stay protected year-round with professionally installed and monitored security solutions. From intrusion alarms to after-hours monitoring support, we help business owners reduce risk when staffing is limited and schedules change.
If your business is closing early, running on a reduced holiday staff, or planning time off this December, now is the right time to review your security setup. Contact Modern Systems today to schedule a complimentary security check and make sure your business is protected through the holidays and beyond.