If you’re a contractor, you’ll know that your tools are absolutely essential for your work. When they’re malfunctioning or stolen, it can severely impact your livelihood. This makes keeping them safe a top priority. As a precaution, you could take out builders’ insurance that covers tool theft, but there are other steps you can take too. Below, we explore five steps you can take to protect your tools from theft.
Boost your van security
When you’re travelling around for work, it’s important that your van is secure. After all, it’s likely that you’ll be leaving your van unattended with tools in from time to time. You can boost the security of your van by adding alarms to it, for a start. Alternatively, you could add smart locks to your van to make it more difficult for thieves to access your tools.
Take your tools inside overnight and on weekends
Your tools will be vulnerable in your van, regardless of the precautions you take. As such, it can make sense to move them to a safer location when you’re not on the go. By taking your tools inside overnight and on weekends, you can have peace of mind that your tools will be safe even if your van is targeted.
Where should I leave my van?
When do you need to leave your van with the tools stored inside, it’s important to try and find a safe place. Ideally, this will be in a secure spot where thieves won’t be able to target the van. However, you could also park it next to a wall or a sturdy fence to make it more difficult to find a way inside. On top of this, a well-lit location can also deter criminals.
Invest in security cameras
If you have a parking spot you consistently leave your van in, you could consider investing in security cameras. Whether this is on a worksite or near your home, having active security cameras can help you monitor your tools and provide evidence to the police if there is a robbery.
Use deterrent stickers
Finally, deterrent stickers can also ward off criminals. Stickers such as “no tools left in here overnight” or “security cameras in operation” can send a warning to criminals that might prevent them from attempting to steal from you. These stickers are an inexpensive way of bolstering your security.
Keeping your tools safe is essential for any contractor. It can be a worrying thought, but by following the guide above and implementing some of the tips, you should be able to enjoy peace of mind from your tools now being more secure.