Going Away This Christmas? Make Sure Your Business Security Is Ready Too
Before switching on your out-of-office reply, take a few minutes to review your business security arrangements for the Christmas holiday period.
Christmas has a way of sneaking up on us, doesn’t it?
One minute it’s November. The next, the holiday plans are sorted, the out-of-office replies are on, and everyone’s looking forward to a well-earned break.
But while you’re getting ready to switch off, there’s one important question worth asking:
Is your business security ready for the holidays too?
At Central Monitoring Services (CMS), we know that it’s often the smallest details that make the biggest difference. An outdated contact number, a change in trading hours, or response instructions that haven’t been reviewed can create unnecessary complications when an alarm is triggered.
And those aren’t exactly the Christmas surprises anyone’s hoping for.
1. Confirm Your Christmas Operating Hours
Will your business be closing completely over Christmas? Operating with reduced hours? Or continuing with a smaller team?
Whatever your arrangements, make sure your monitoring provider has the correct information.
Changes to opening and closing times may affect how alarms are handled, particularly when staff are accessing the premises outside their usual schedules.
A quick update before the holidays can help avoid unnecessary confusion.
2. Check Your Emergency Contact List
Here’s something worth considering:
If your primary emergency contact is away on holiday, who’s answering the phone?
Emergency contact details are easy to overlook, especially when businesses have experienced staffing changes throughout the year.
Before closing for Christmas, review:
- Whether your nominated contacts are still current
- Who will be available throughout the holiday period
- Whether backup contacts have been nominated
- If phone numbers and escalation priorities are correct
Having the right people listed, in the right order, helps your monitoring team coordinate a response when it matters.
3. Review Your Alarm Response Instructions
Your alarm system may be working perfectly, but what happens after an alarm is triggered?
That’s where clear response instructions become essential.
Your monitoring provider should have up-to-date information about who to contact, when to escalate an incident, and any specific arrangements that apply during the holiday period.
If your business has changed its operating procedures, staffing arrangements, or security requirements, it’s worth reviewing those instructions before everyone heads off.
4. Make Sure Your Security Arrangements Match Your Holiday Plans
Every business operates differently over Christmas.
Some premises are completely unattended. Others continue trading, receive deliveries, or require occasional access for maintenance and cleaning.
Consider whether your existing security arrangements still make sense for how your premises will be used.
It may also be a good opportunity to review your alarm monitoring, CCTV monitoring, and any additional response arrangements your business may require.
The goal isn’t to complicate your Christmas preparations. It’s to make sure your security arrangements reflect what’s actually happening on-site.
5. Don’t Leave It Until the Last Minute
The closer we get to Christmas, the longer everyone’s to-do list seems to become.
Reviewing your security arrangements now gives you time to confirm details, update instructions, and address any questions before your team heads off.
Even a five-minute review can make a meaningful difference.
Because good security isn’t just about detecting an issue. It’s about making sure the right response can happen when it matters.
Enjoy Your Break. We’ve Got You Covered.
Christmas should be a time to enjoy a well-earned break, not worry about whether the right person will receive a call if something happens at your business.
At Central Monitoring Services, we’re here to support our customers with their monitoring arrangements throughout the holiday season.
If your Christmas trading hours, emergency contacts, or response instructions have changed, now is a good time to let us know.
Heading away this Christmas? Let’s make sure your security arrangements are ready before you go.
Contact Central Monitoring Services or call 1300 655 009 to review your holiday monitoring arrangements.
