14 Tips To Improve Security On Your Farm

Farming is an essential part of any countries economy and farmers play a fundamental role in the flourishing of the industry. While farming itself comes with various strenuous tasks and considerations to continue to produce high-quality produce and volume. In recent years farms, safety has become a big issue in South Africa.

Farms not only need to protect their land and produce but also the farmworkers and personal property from theft, and natural disaster.

Farming property often spread across multiple locations, in different buildings or various fields. It can seem like an impossible task to manage such a vast area, but there are still things you can do to be proactive.

If you're planning on securing your farm you may want to consider the following security measures.

1. Install a camera

As a farmer in 2019, you need to start embracing technology and make it part of your daily life. Digital camera and surveillance technology is now more affordable and reliable and can be managed from multiple devices. A picture, or even a video, of suspicious activity, is valuable evidence. Place your camera somewhere where a perpetrator will not notice it, and set it up so that it captures the angle you want.

Consider buying a camera that is motion-detected, which will save on recording time and the amount of video you need to review if there’s an incident ever.

2. Use ample lighting

One of the simplest things you can do is install and maintain good lighting. Security lights and motion-detected lighting can make a big difference, but make sure your lights are working and functioning correctly.

3. Post warning signs

If you want to restrict access to your property, make sure a sign is mounted in a highly visible way. Your signage efforts should include signs about hunting, trespassing, biosecurity, dangerous dogs, etc. A sign can be a good defence, especially if someone chooses to ignore the warning.

4. Carry enough insurance

The right amount of coverage will differ with each farm, but you need to consider the many ways you could be liable and at risk. Having insurance that includes not only your possessions and personal property but also the transport and use of that property on roadways, on other properties, etc.

5. Protect your computer

In addition to tangible personal property, you also have your farm records and financial data to safeguard. Remember to keep your passwords in a safe place, and when you lose an employee — even a good one — consider changing the passwords that employee may know. You also want to safeguard your computers with the latest virus protection, and avoid any obvious security risks.

6. Report and record suspicious activity

If you see something that doesn’t look right, let someone know. It could be nothing at all, or it could be a valuable lead that helps prevent future crime.

7. Safety training

Lastly, consider becoming CPR certified, and know basic first aid. While you hope never to need these skills, they are invaluable in an emergency. You never know when a family member or employee might suffer a heart attack, choke on something, or suffer an injury that you can attend to before help arrives.

8. Secure the perimeter

The homestead should be secured internally as well as externally. Particular attention should be paid to the passages and doorways, leading to sleeping quarters. Dogs, both inside and outside, may also prove to be an effective deterrent. 

Try to ring-fence your farm as much as naturally possible to create limited routes for escape. Which could provide previous time during the time of robberies and help you catch thieves. Additionally, these fences can be connected to an alarm system or be made an electric fence in certain vulnerable parts of the farm like entrances. 

9. Have an early warning detection system

Having various early warning detections system can buy you valuable time during a farm innovation so you can react and make the best decisions. These detections triggers can be alarms that sound for motion detection in certain areas, for fences cut, for entering the home or various storage facilities and vehicles.

10. Firearms

If you plan on owning a firearm, make sure a 'safe room' in the house where firearms, ammunition, a communication device, a first aid kit and water are stored in case of emergency.

It's also essential to ensure your firearm is cleaned and in kept in an excellent working condition. Members of the homestead should also be well trained in the use of firearms and have regular practice with the weapon.

11. Community forums

You can have the best technology and security, but the value of a supportive community and information is priceless. Security experts claim that the best form of security comes in layers. Which also comes in numbers, eyes, ears and hands.

Creating a "farm watch program" (rural neighbourhood watch), like its urban counterparts, bundles security. Setting up an instant messaging group like with WhatsApp can help share information with fellow farmers, farmworkers and local law enforcement fast enough to react quicker.

12. Secure storage facilities

You should also ensure you have secure storage facilities for vehicles, tools and any other valuables that would otherwise be laying outside and exposed.

13. Marking property

Another way to deter crime or help in recovery is by setting up an owner applied number (OAN) program. This system helps return stolen property using a unique 10-digit number, identifying the province, county and owner.

The permanent number can be stamped on everything from tractors to tools. Equipment can be recovered from anywhere and make it easier for police to identify. Numbered identification aids vendors who buy in second-hand goods to check if they are purchased the stolen property.

14. Change your routine

Criminals are cunning and are always looking for ways to exploit a potential chink in the armour. While your farm may be secure, there are times where you can be a soft target. Having predictable routines and having to stop and leave the vehicle to open a gate, for example, make one vulnerable to crime. Other situations include drawing cash or visiting the bank; the routine should also be varied.

Are you looking to promote your business?

South African safety and security businesses can create your free business listing on nichemarket. The more information you provide about your business, the easier it will be for your customers to find you online. 

Registering with nichemarket is easy; all you will need to do is head over to our sign up form and follow the instructions. If you require a more detailed guide on how to create your profile or your listing, then we highly recommend you check out the following articles.

• How to create a nichemarketer profile
• How to create a nichemarket business listing

Recommended reading

If you enjoyed this post and have time to spare why not check out these related posts and dive deeper down the rabbit hole that is safety and security.

• Get Your Safety & Security Business Listed Online
• Best Reasons to Invest in a Home Security System
• Reasons Why You Should Install Transparent Burglar Bars

Tags: Security , Farming