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New York, NY—As vaccines become more available and pandemic restrictions continue to be lifted across the United States, consumers are eager to get out of the house. Berkley Asset Protection says now is an ideal time for jewelers to make sure their security systems and cameras are all functioning properly. Some regular tests and tune-ups can only be done by a professional alarm company, but the insurer advises jewelers to be proactive and offers this 11-point checklist of things jewelers should do themselves to test both on a monthly basis. Image: Berkley Asset Protection.

To test the alarm system:

1. Review the step-by-step instructions that your alarm company provided. If you can’t find the instructions, call your alarm company and ask for a new copy. 
2. Contact your alarm monitoring company to inform them when you will conduct a test. It’s best to test the system during the day so you don’t bother neighbors with the alarm sound. Your alarm company should place your company in “test status” to assure that your test does NOT trigger a false alarm. 
3. First locate each sensor. Turn on the alarm system. An individual should walk in front of each sensor; allow the alarm to sound for 45 seconds. Most alarm equipment has delays, so the sensor will not send an alarm signal to the monitoring company until at least 30-45 seconds have passed. 
4. Open each door and window to trigger those sensors. 
5. Ask the monitoring company to relay all of the alarm signals to assure the test signals were received correctly.
6. After the test, contact the alarm company to conclude the test and assure that your account is removed from test status.

To test the surveillance cameras:

1. Review the surveillance recording for the previous day and night. Is the recording sharp and clear? Is the lighting appropriate? Are the cameras aimed to capture faces? 
2. Check the focus and alignment for each security camera. 
3. If applicable, replace the recording medium on a regular basis. Re-using the same videotape month after month will cause the picture quality to deteriorate. Of course, that isn’t an issue for digital video recorders or network video recorders, which allow for remote viewing. 
4. Assure that recordings are stored for 90 days. If you have an unexplained loss, reviewing surveillance videos may help you find an item or identify how a loss happened. 
5. Finally, respond to every alarm. Burglars may trip your alarm repeatedly over multiple days to lull you into thinking the alarm system is faulty. Once you no longer respond to the alarm, they strike for real. 

For additional loss control tips, visit BerkleyAssetPro.com/LossPrevention or contact Berkley Asset Protection, (212) 922-0659 or marketing@berkleyassetpro.com.