A message from Love Wimbledon and Merton Chamber of Commerce.

Is your business or workplace now closed due to COVID-19?

Are all employees working from home?

See below, a 10-point checklist to help keep your property safe and secure, during these times.

Note: we also strongly suggest that you speak with your insurance company, or broker, to ensure that you are compliant with the terms of your insurance.

Where you are able to do so safely and within the current government guidelines, you should try to ensure that:

1. The buildings are inspected internally and externally by an authorised person once a week to check the security and general condition of the premises.
2. All waste, refuse and other disused combustible materials are cleared from the buildings and any grounds adjacent to it.
3. All external doors are securely locked and all opening windows are closed and locked (where fitted with locking devices).
4. All tanks and pipes are drained down, where and when you are able to do this, and all taps, stopcocks and mains supply valves turned off. If this is not possible, because you need to maintain a central heating system, a minimum temperature of 7°C should be maintained.
5. (A). Gas supplies should be switched off, unless to maintain a central heating system.
   (B). Electricity supplies should be switched off unless to maintain a central heating system or existing intruder alarm systems, fire protection systems, CCTV, security lighting or sprinkler systems. If the building supply needs to remain on, review the need for items like wifi routers, printers, chillers, etc. to be left plugged in.
6. All existing physical devices for securing, or preventing access to the buildings must be kept in full and effective operation at all times and to have all keys removed from the locks and kept in a secure place away from the premises.
7. Ensure your pest control contracts are maintained, check with your contractor to ensure continuation of service.
8. Check your alarm notification procedures and revise your keyholders list and procedures in case of a triggering of the alarm.
9. Review and cancel all supplier contracts – milk, waste collection, any other regular deliveries.
10. For food businesses:
    (A). Cancel all food and drink deliveries.
    (B). Ensure rubbish is removed from the kitchen, ensure food is emptied from fridges and freezers (unless power is left on for the freezer).
    (C). Any food packing materials should be protected from contamination and if dried food is being kept in the storeroom it should be kept in pest proof containers.
    (D). Ensure the structure of the building is kept in good repair and free from gaps and holes where pest could gain access into the premises.