How to protect heavy equipment from theft during the holidays

As equipment thefts tend to increase in December and January because machinery is left unattended more frequently than other times of the year, the National Equipment Register (NER) has provided a few tips aimed at theft prevention.

• Test to be sure that alarms and lighting are all operating properly.

• If you are getting a high number of false alarms, thieves may be testing your responsiveness; watch for vehicles “casing” your property.

• Test cameras in daylight and after dark- are the images capturing license plates, faces, etc?

• Make sure fences and gates provide a complete barrier to adjoining businesses and vacant land.

• Move light or highly targeted equipment into service bays or more secure areas of your site.

• Do not leave ANYTHING on a trailer. If you have to, block it with several other vehicles.