Security Checklist Before You Leave Your Site for the Weekend or Holiday Shutdown

As Christmas approaches, most Kiwi construction sites prepare for their annual shutdown - often two to three weeks where the site is completely unattended. While it’s a well-earned break for crews, it’s also the highest-risk period of the year for theft, vandalism, and break-ins. Longer downtime, empty streets, and neighbouring businesses also being closed make construction sites a prime target for opportunistic crime.

A single incident over the holidays can delay projects, impact your budget, and create major stress heading into the New Year. The good news? A simple, consistent security routine before you clock off can dramatically reduce the risks.

Here’s your holiday-ready security checklist to help protect your site during weekends, public holidays, and the Christmas/New Year shutdown.

Why Holiday Shutdowns Are High-Risk

The Christmas period combines several conditions that make construction sites especially vulnerable:

• Sites are left empty for extended periods, sometimes weeks at a time.

• Work vehicles and tool trailers aren’t moving, making them easy to target.

• Neighbouring sites and businesses are also closed, meaning fewer eyes around.

• Increased demand for tools and materials during summer renovations and DIY work leads to more organised theft.

• Longer response times over the holidays mean trespassers can spend more time onsite, causing greater damage.

1. Secure All Tools, Materials & Equipment

Tools and materials left out are the number one cause of holiday break-ins. Before the break:

• Lock all tools in secure containers or remove them from site entirely.

• Store high-value materials (like copper, power tools, or plumbing fixtures) in locked units.

• Remove keys from machinery and consider adding wheel locks or immobilisers.

• Cover visible materials to reduce opportunistic temptation.

Holiday Pro Tip:

Do your big “final sweep” the day before shutdown. On the final afternoon people rush, forget things, or leave early. That’s when tools get missed.

2. Inspect Perimeter Fencing, Gates & Signage

Your perimeter is your first line of defence. Before closing:

• Check fences for weak spots, gaps, or movement from wind.

• Ensure all gates lock properly and padlocks are in good condition.

• Add or refresh signage - “CCTV IN OPERATION” and “NO TRESPASSING” signs are powerful deterrents.

Many break-ins happen simply because a site looks easy to enter. Strong, obvious barriers send a clear message.

Holiday Pro Tip:

Add temporary signage like “24/7 Monitoring Active Over Holiday Period.” It creates a psychological barrier even if no one is around.

3. Review Camera Coverage & Functionality

Your security cameras work hardest when no one is onsite, so double-check they’re ready.

• Clean lenses and ensure nothing new is obstructing the view (like scaffolding, materials, or fencing).

• Test night vision and ensure lighting supports clear footage.

• Check the entire perimeter and high-risk areas (storage, access points, vehicles).

• Review recordings from the previous night to confirm quality.

Holiday Pro Tip:

Do a remote camera test on the last business day. Open the live view for every camera before signing off.

4. Confirm Monitoring & Alert Settings

One of the most common holiday security failures is alerts being sent to someone who’s away fishing, out of coverage, or off duty.

Before closing, make sure:

• Monitoring contacts are updated (especially if staff rosters change).

• Your system’s after-hours or full shutdown schedule is activated.

• Everyone knows who is responsible for responding if an alert triggers.

• Consider temporary upgrades to professional after-hours monitoring.

With a long shutdown, you want real humans reviewing alerts, not relying on someone’s phone vibrating in a beach bag somewhere.

Holiday Pro Tip:

Set your system to “holiday monitoring mode” until your return date. Many people forget to update the schedule.

5. Secure Access Points & High-Risk Areas

Beyond the general perimeter, check all internal access points:

• Lock site containers, offices, shipping units, and cabins.

• Remove or lock scaffold ladders and secure upper-level access.

• Block access to material stacks or delivery areas.

• Keep high-value items away from fence lines and road visibility.

6. Review Lighting & Deterrents

Good lighting dramatically reduces trespass.

• Test motion-activated lights.

• Replace bulbs before the holidays.

• Clean solar panels so lighting stays consistent.

• Ensure lights shine on entry points, not into empty space.

Holiday Pro Tip:Motion lighting creates a “surprised startle” moment. It’s one of the most effective natural deterrents.

7. Optional: Notify Neighbours or Arrange Patrols

If your site is located near homes or businesses, let neighbours know you’ll be closed.

For rural sites, consider adding temporary patrols or guard callouts, especially if recent thefts have been reported in the area.

Even simple awareness can add huge value.

8. Final Walkthrough Before Shutdown

Once the checklist is complete, do one slow walkthrough of the site. It takes less than 10 minutes but can save thousands.

Holiday Pro Tip:

Assign one person as the “final lock-up lead” to avoid confusion or missed steps.

Conclusion

A secure site means a stress-free holiday. By following this simple checklist, you can dramatically reduce theft, prevent delays, and protect the tools and materials you rely on every day. It only takes a few extra minutes to safeguard your work and keep your site secure until the new year.

If you want complete peace of mind over the shutdown period, we can help. Contact Spy Tower to arrange mobile tower hire or after-hours monitoring to keep your site protected throughout the holidays.