ChurchSafety

Sometimes, outside groups that meet regularly at the church are handed the keys and given unrestricted access to the building. This leaves the church vulnerable to theft and vandalism. Some churches have learned this lesson the hard way.

"In the course of dealing with a loss, many churches have admitted they were probably too trusting," said Peter Kujak, a senior claims adjuster for Brotherhood Mutual. "They didn't assume there was a risk from those who came through the doors. They realized too late the need to control access to their building and to lock up valuable items."

Take the following steps to ensure that your church is properly secured while lending the building to outside groups:

• Lock the doors of interior offices, classrooms, and supply rooms when not in use.
  
  
• Restrict access to unused parts of the building. If you cannot control access otherwise, consider installing collapsible metal gates that bolt to walls, such as those you find in schools.
  
  
• Retain keysand security codes. Ask a church representative to open the church building for guests and secure it when they leave. Once you give out a key or security code, you cannot control its use—or replication.
  
  
• Monitor the building. A church member who patrols the building can verify that people are where they should be and can call for assistance in an emergency.
  
  
• Use a safe for petty cash, small valuables, keys, and important documents.
  
  
• Secure larger valuables, such as laptop computers, DVD players, and musical equipment.
  
  
• Eliminate signs in the building that advertise cash, such as "Finance Office" or "Donation Receipts."
  
  
• Keep an inventory of your organization's property. This will help you tell quickly if something is missing, establish proper insurance protection, and promote a faster recovery after a theft.
  
  

Copyright © 2009, Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

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