It is 1 a.m. The last table is wiped down. The cash is counted. You lock the door and head home.
So who is watching the place now?
If you own a restaurant, bar, or cafe in Port Clinton, Sandusky, Marblehead, or out on the islands, your Business has a lot on the line every night. Cash. Liquor. Expensive kitchen gear. And a staff that changes every season.
Here are five security must-haves for food and drink Businesses along Lake Erie.
1. Cameras on the register, the bar, and the back door
Most losses do not start at the front door. They start at the register, behind the bar, or out the back.
Good spots to cover:
- Every register and POS screen
- The bar, so you can see pours and comps
- The back door and delivery area
- The office or safe room
- The parking lot and dumpster area
Premium cameras give you clear video day and night. You can check in from your phone during a busy Friday or right after close.
Ever wonder why the bar ran short on a slow Tuesday? Now you can just look.
2. A monitored alarm that calls for help fast
A loud siren is good. A siren that also calls for help is better.
With 24/7 monitoring, a trained operator sees the alarm the second it trips. They call you, then send police if needed. You do not have to be awake to get help on the way.
Add glass-break sensors on big front windows. Lots of lake-view spots have a wall of glass. That is great for diners and tempting for thieves.
3. Codes and access control for staff
Restaurants run on part-time and seasonal help. People come and go fast.
So ask yourself: how many old keys are still out there?
Give every employee their own alarm code or key fob. Then you can:
- See who opened and who closed
- Turn off a code or fob the day someone leaves
- Keep the office and liquor storage locked to managers only
No more changing the locks every spring.
4. Fire and kitchen safety you can count on
Kitchens run hot. Fryers, grills, and grease are part of the job.
A monitored fire alarm sends a signal for help even when nobody is in the building. That matters most at 3 a.m., when a small flare-up could become a total loss.
Your hood suppression system can also tie into your fire alarm in many setups. Ask us how it works for your building.
5. Sensors that protect your food and your floors
Here is one owners forget about. What happens if your walk-in cooler dies on a Saturday night?
By Monday, you could lose thousands in food.
Temperature sensors in coolers and freezers send an alert if things warm up. Water sensors near ice machines, dish areas, and water heaters catch leaks early. Low-temp sensors help in winter if the heat goes out.
These small sensors pay for themselves the first time they catch a problem.
Bonus: plan for the slow season
Lots of Lake Erie spots cut hours or close for winter. If that is you, make sure your system keeps working when the building is empty.
- Use a cellular communicator so the alarm stays connected even if you shut off internet
- Check that your backup battery is in good shape
- Update your contact list with people who are actually around in winter
Quick checklist
- Cameras on registers, bar, back door, and lot
- Monitored alarm with glass-break sensors
- Personal codes or fobs for every staff member
- Monitored fire alarm
- Cooler, freezer, water, and low-temp sensors
- Cellular backup for the off season
Local help from a family-owned team
Catawba Security has protected Homes and Businesses from Toledo to Cleveland and out to the Lake Erie islands since 1983. We are family-owned and local. We know how busy summer gets and how quiet winter can be.
We install premium cameras, alarms, access control, and fire systems. Then we back them with 24/7 monitoring through a Five Diamond rated central station. Rated 4.9 on Google.
Want a fresh set of eyes on your restaurant or bar? We will walk through it with you and show you the weak spots. Call 844-CATAWBA or 419-797-4091, or get a free quote online.
You work hard to fill those tables. Let us help you protect them.
