8 Easy Ways to Make Your Business Safer for Customers

Most businesses aren’t inherently dangerous to their customers. There’s no major risk in going to a store and picking up a few items, apart from the risk of an accident when driving there. Still, there are many small changes you can make your business safer for your customers.

How to Improve Business Safety for Customers

These strategies can help you ensure your business is as safe as possible for your customers:

Repair your concrete.

Concrete is known for its durability, but over time, it can crack and crumble. If your sidewalks or other ground infrastructure is damaged, it could pose a tripping hazard for your customers—or even compromise the structural integrity of your building. Fortunately, it’s possible to easily repair your concrete with the help of a concrete contractor.

Repave your parking lot.

Your parking lot could also be hazardous, especially if it’s rife with potholes, cracks, and other dangers to drivers and walking pedestrians. Repaving may cost a few thousand dollars, but it’s going to keep your customers safe for years to come.

Install more lighting and cameras.

If your business is open during the evenings, it’s important to install more lighting—and no matter when your business is open, it’s a good idea to install more cameras. Lights, especially in and around your parking area, will make customers feel safer walking to and from your business. Cameras, too, will give people a sense of reassurance, especially in neighborhoods with high crime rates.

Provide clear markings on steps and doors.

Some structures are easy to glance over; you may not notice that there’s a small step on the way into a building, or a door may look like it opens in a different way than it actually does. You can help people out by providing clear markings on these ambiguous areas. Sometimes, a simple “watch your step” sign, or yellow visibility markings are all it takes to reduce the possibility of a fall.

Identify and remove hazards.

This step requires proactive and consistent attention, but it’s important if you want your customers to remain safe and healthy. Pay attention to the introduction of hazards or dangers on your premises, and remove them as quickly as possible. If someone spills a liquid, clean it up as soon as you notice it. If there’s a raised bump in the floor, have it leveled out.

Issue warnings.

Depending on what you’re selling, the layout of your business, and how you interact with customers, it may be a good idea to issue specific warnings to them. For example, you can advise customers to avoid certain activities if they have a health condition that makes them more vulnerable. You can also issue warnings based on current circumstances or public health recommendations; for example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses are recommending that their customers wear facial masks and practice social distancing.

Practice cleanliness.

Even without an active pandemic, it’s important to practice cleanliness in your business. Take the time to disinfect commonly touched surfaces regularly, and keep all areas of your business as clean as possible. This will reduce the possible transmission of diseases, keeping your customers healthier, and it will also bring peace of mind to everyone who sees your employees keeping up with the business’s needs.

Respond to new information promptly.

Occasionally, your business will need to respond to new information about a public health or safety threat. When this information comes in, it’s your responsibility to respond to it and take action as quickly as possible. For example, if you hear news of an impending fire or tornado, it’s important to evacuate the premises as quickly as possible. If there are new recommendations in response to a spreading disease or a trend in crime from a trustworthy organization, follow them.

Why Increase Safety?

Spending money on increasing the safety of your business helps you accomplish a few goals simultaneously. First, it naturally attracts more customers to your business; when they visit your establishment, they feel more protected, and they trust you more as a result. Second, you get good publicity and positive word-of-mouth, increasing your brand influence even further. Third, you protect yourself from potential premises liability cases—which can be expensive and damaging to your reputation, even with a good liability insurance policy in place.

There’s no way for you to prevent all risks and dangers faced by your customers, but the best ways to protect your customers are often simple and inexpensive—so there’s no reason not to try them. Pay attention to the biggest security and safety risks in your business, and be prepared to mitigate or eliminate them.