Loss Prevention
AUTO
Theft Prevention
Some simple steps to reduce theft temptation:
- * Always lock your vehicle
- * Never leave your keys in the vehicle
- * Turn off your ignition whenever you leave your car
- * Conceal items left in your car by utilizing the trunk, glove compartment, under seats, etc
- * Try to avoid parking on the street
- * Try to park in a well-lit, well-guarded, visible area
- * Ask your neighbours to watch out for your vehicle and do the same for them
- * Install an anti-theft deterrent such as car alarms or an ignition disabler.
Safety and Maintenance
- * Read your vehicle owner's manual to understand its maintenance needs. Following the manufacturer's maintenance recommendations will go a long way in extending the life of your vehicle and spotting minor problems before they become major repairs.
- * Pay attention to your vehicle's functions so you can easily notice any changes that need to be checked.
- * Consider taking a recognized driver safety course.
Child Restraint Safety
It is important to install a child's restraint seat properly in order for it to be effective.
- * Read the manufacturer's installation instructions thoroughly
- * Many police departments have programs to help with proper installation
Road Safety Tips & Links
Road safety is an important issue on today's crowded roads. The following are briefs on important safety tips we tend to ignore, accompanied with links to more information on them.
Wear your seatbelt. Airbags and seatbelts have become standardized in automobiles because they are highly important for safety. For information and guidelines pertaining to use and safety issues please visit:
- * Transport Canada: Road and Motor Vehicle Safety
- * Canada Safety Council: Road & Vehicle Safety
- * Insurance Bureau of Canada: Be Smart. Be Safe.
Don't drink and drive. Seriously. Drinking and driving has been the cause of many unfortunate accidents resulting in serious injuries and loss of life on our roadways. For statistics and information pertaining to drinking and driving please visit:
Don't use your cell phone while driving. Cell phones can be valuable tool when you need to call for assistance. However, they can also be a distraction when used while driving, and many jurisdictions are considering restrictions on cell phone use while driving.
For safety's sake, don't use your cell phone while driving. If necessary, stop your car safely away from traffic before picking up the phone.
Prepare for winter driving. As Canadians we know that winter driving can be treacherous at the best of times. For tips and information to help you prepare for safe winter driving please visit:
Accident Management
Being involved in an accident can be very stressful. Here are some tips to help you protect both yourself and your interests:
- * Call the police immediately, and an ambulance if necessary.
- * Do not admit liability.
- * Record details of the accident including date, time, location, a description of the accident, any injuries, and any charges laid.
- * Record details concerning the other party such as name, address and phone number vehicle year, make and model insurance policy number name of the insurance company and the broker or agent
- * Obtain a copy of the police report from the attending officer as this will have the accident report number for future reference.
NOTE: These tips are general rules of thumb only, and may not fit all situations. For the definitive word, please contact your insurance broker.
HOME
Fire Prevention
Fire prevention is about caution and maintenance. Here are a few starter steps to maintain the safety of your home:
Heating Equipment
- * Check and clean your furnace/chimney yearly.
- * Clear the area around your furnace of boxes and papers.
- * Store paint and other flammable products away from the furnace or water heater.
In the Kitchen
- * Never leave cooking unattended.
- * Don't store things over the stove.
- * Smother a grease fire with a lid - never throw water on the flame.
Family Fire Safety
- * Install smoke detectors outside bedrooms and make sure everyone can hear and recognize the alarm with doors closed. Replace batteries once a year.
- * If you heat your home with gas, oil, wood or other fossil fuels, install a carbon monoxide detector with a UL or ULC label.
- * Make sure everyone knows your escape plan and meeting place, and how to call the fire department.
Crime Prevention
Burglary is always a crime of opportunity. Here are a few starter steps to reduce the chances of your home being a target:
Inside Your Home
- * Secure your premises.
- * Close blinds and curtains at night so that a burglar can't scope your belongings.
- * Lock all doors and windows before leaving.
- * Home burglar alarm systems are a great deterrent but is no replacement for good common sense.
- * Make your home look occupied at all times.
- * Leave a radio/tv on when you are away from your home for short periods of time.
- * Leave a light or two on. You can purchase timers to maintain normal lighting patterns.
- * Protect and manage your valuables.
- * Keep them in a safety deposit box or an unlikely place (i.e. Not your bedroom).
- * Consider indelibly signing (engraving) them with your signature, drivers licence or social insurance number.
- * Make an inventory of your home with a videotape and/or photographs.
Outside Your Home
- * Keep your shrubbery short enough from blocking windows and doors.
- * Secure window air conditioners from the inside.
- * Illuminate as much of your property as possible.
- * Install deadbolt locks.
- * Dogs are great deterrents to burglars. Even a "Beware of Dog" signage can be quite useful.
- * NOTE: A dog that barks is better than one that bites.
- * Place hinged security bars over basement windows. Remember to keep the key nearby for emergency exits.
- * Exterior doors should be solid, not hollow. Metal doors provide the best protection against forced entry.
- * Use a fencing style that would not conceal a burglar's activities.
- * Ensure that a burglar cannot access the roof from trees or a ladder left outside.
Burglary Management
If you return to find that your house has been broken into:
- * Do not confront the burglar
- * Do not stay - always think of your safety first
- * Phone the police
Guidelines & Links
There are numerous other steps that could be taken towards preventing home-related loss. For further guidelines on the above steps, or for information on additional topics such as relating to vacationing, what not to do, etc, please visit:
COMMERCIAL
Crime/Fire Prevention
- * Install a burglar alarm system which is monitored offsite.
- * Meet fire code specifications and instruct all staff about them.
- * Continually check for unsafe work conditions and practices, and take prompt corrective action. Reduce the physical and moral hazards of your business.
Slip & Fall Prevention
- * Inspect the premises' interior on regular basis for unsafe conditions that could lead to a slip & fall loss. Maintain a daily log of when the inspection was done, what conditions were noted and what corrective action was taken.
- * Aisles, entrances, hallways should be are kept clear and free of displays, fallen merchandise, etc.
- * During wet seasons, all entrances should have mats that help keep the floor clean and dry.
- * Water and other spills should be mopped up immediately and a 'Caution: Wet Floor' sign should be placed.
- * For spills involving oil or other industrial materials, absorbent non-combustible cleaning materials should be used.
- * Defective flooring, stairs, sidewalks and pavement should be repaired as soon as possible. Signs and/or barriers should be placed until repairs are completed.
- * A snow and ice removal program should be implemented, where a specific staff member is responsible.
- * Have the appropriate equipment and materials available for staff use in case of a weather related emergency, e.g. shovels, salt, sand etc.
- * Professional snow removal contractors should be employed to plow, sand and salt your parking and walkway facilities. Monitor the contractor and request for a comprehensive log of the work performed.
Protecting Computer Equipment
- * Clamp or lock PCs to desks/work stations. Also, store laptops in a secure location.
- * Backup data and programs regularly and store them offsite in a secure location.
- * Maintain records of serial numbers for all of your computer equipment.
Business Interruption Management
- * Employ the services of a professional accountant to:
- * Prepare financial statements.
- * Perform an annual audit of your books.
- * Have an aftermath plan in case of a loss. For instance, an immediate temporary location would help retain customers.
- * Back-up business records regularly and store them off-site
Specific Industry Sectors
Loss prevention procedures may vary for specific business types. Here are some industry-specific starter steps towards developing work safety and loss prevention:
Construction:
- * Any onsite storage should be in a secure area.
- * Warning signs should be posted limiting access or indicating the need for safety equipment.
- * All electrical cords that pass through pedestrian areas should be secured to avoid causing trips.
- * All mud or water on public traffic areas should be cleaned regularly.
- * In the event of an excavation, please contact your province's "Call Before You Dig" organization, such as Alberta One-Call
- * All flammable liquids used should be stored in approved safety containers.
- * All combustible refuse should be cleaned up regularly. Oily rags should be stored in closed metal containers.
- * Certificates of liability should be obtained from all subcontractors to ensure they are maintaining adequate liability coverage.
- * Ensure that the project complies with all applicable codes and standards. Records of all jobs including plans, testing documents and approvals should be maintained.
Factory/Repair:
- * Strictly enforce a rule forbidding customers from entering the service area. Providing a clean, safe waiting area for customers will significantly reduce the possibility of "slip and fall" types of losses, not to mention other productivity benefits.
- * Always get signed customer work orders that outline the authorized tasks, including completed repairs and declined recommendations. This will reduces chances for disputes and potential losses.
- * Ensure employees have sufficient licenses to operate machinery. In a vehicle repair shop, for instance, driver abstracts should be obtain for all employees on a regular basis. This will help determine which employees should be test-driving customers' vehicles.
Retail:
- * In sprinklered buildings, keep stock more than 18 inches from the sprinkler heads, to avoid interference with the system's effectiveness in the event of a fire.
- * Keep all of your stock off the floor, stored on skids, shelves, or racks.
- * Arrange the interior layout of the store so that the till area is clearly visible from the exterior of the building.
- * Limit the amount of cash in the till by using a safe or money-limiting device.
- * Make regular bank deposits, but vary the timing of the deposits and the route taken.
- * Consider installing anti-shoplifting devices, surveillance equipment and hold-up alarms.
Please consult an organization dedicated to your industry for more information on safety and prevention tips. However, valuable information can also be found at:
