The clocks fall back. Your security schedule should, too.
When Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 1, it will get darker earlier, often around the time employees are heading home and businesses close for the day.
When the sun sets earlier, it can expose gaps in lighting, camera coverage, access controls and monitoring schedules that worked fine all summer.
Think of November 1 as your annual security reset. Before winter weather, holiday schedules and longer nights set in, take a few minutes to make sure your security system is ready for the season ahead.
Your Fall Security Reset: 7 Things to Check
Don’t wait for the first sign or a security incident to discover a gap. Use the time change as a reminder to check these seven areas of your business.
1. Does your monitoring schedule know it’s getting dark earlier?
As the days get shorter, your surveillance schedule should change with them. A monitoring schedule that has not been updated for changing daylight hours could leave gaps during the first hours of darkness. If you work with a remote video monitoring provider, ask them to review your schedule and make sure coverage lines up with the new hours of darkness.
2. Don’t let your cameras run an hour off
Cameras and recorders that don’t update automatically can be an hour off after the time change. When you’re reviewing footage after an incident, accurate timestamps can help establish a clear timeline. Make sure devices sync their time automatically and spot-check a few after November 1 just to be safe.
3. Take another look at lighting
A parking lot that was well lit in September can have very different security needs in November. Reset lighting timers to match the new sunset, then replace burned-out bulbs and address dark spots around the property. Our Illumination Checklist can guide your review.
4. Walk your property and check camera sightlines
Your property may look different from when your cameras were last positioned. As leaves fall, previously hidden areas may become visible, while shifted inventory, equipment or snow piles can create new blind spots. Walk the property and make sure cameras are still covering the areas that matter most.
5. Get your equipment ready for winter
Shorter days and winter weather can increase demands on security equipment. Make sure you clean camera lenses, check housings for cracks or moisture, and make sure snow-removal plans won’t block cameras or gates. If you use solar-powered mobile units, check their battery health since shorter days mean less time for charging and raise any concerns with your account manager.
6. Test your deterrents and notifications
Use the time change as a reminder to test your systems and make sure audio talk-downs, strobes and alarm notifications are working as expected, especially before holiday schedules and time off begin.
7. Make sure your team knows what happens when something goes wrong
A strong security system is only part of the equation. Make sure employees know who to contact and what to do if they see suspicious activity or receive a security alert. Review your incident response procedures before holiday schedules and winter weather create challenges and make sure key contacts and escalation plans are still up to date.
Don’t Let a Seasonal Change Create a Security Gap
The time change is only the beginning. The weeks that follow bring colder weather, longer nights, holiday schedules and potentially fewer people around your property.
Most security gaps don’t appear overnight. But the end of Daylight Saving Time gives you an easy reminder to check the systems and procedures that can quietly fall out of sync. Take the time to walk the property, test your systems and update your schedules now, before winter makes these needs harder to ignore.
If you would like help reviewing your monitoring schedule or equipment before winter, talk to our team.
