Salon Security
Burglary and theft account for billions of dollars in losses to businesses each year. This represents an increasing threat for small business owners in all parts of the country. Many salon owners, in particular, have been hit hard by burglary and break-ins during the past year. These types of incidents are cutting across all geographic and economic boundaries.
Fortunately, there are several steps salon owners can take to protect their businesses against crime. For example, many salon owners today have equipped their premises with motion detector alarm systems. This article covers some of the most common measures for reducing the chance of break-ins, such as outdoor lighting, installation of deadbolts and locks and the advantages of various alarm systems. In future articles, such topics as the advantages of engraving and recording possessions, as well as making the most of safes and security closets, will be covered.
Exterior Security
Outdoor Lighting: Good security begins with good lighting. Burglars and thieves thrive on the cover darkness provides, and outdoor lights are an excellent way to discourage their activities. Salon owners can help protect front and rear entrances, alleyways and exterior windows with outdoor lights wired to timers or activated by photocell sensors. More sophisticated systems also are available that incorporate sensors to turn lights on when someone approaches and trigger an alarm if a light is tampered with.
Exterior Doors: Exterior doors are a salon owners first line of defense against forced entry and should be solidly constructed. Thick, solid-core wooden doors are acceptable for exterior use, especially for front door/low-crime areas; however, steel doors offer far greater security and are well worth the additional cost. If the door has a mail slot, consider installing a security door over it that can be locked from the inside after hours.
Hinges: Just as a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, an exterior door is only as strong as its lock and hinges. Replace hinges that have exposed or removable pins with high-security hinges or weld the pins to the hinge so they cannot be forcibly removed. In addition, do not forget the door frame and striker plate. These items also should be upgraded with high-security counterparts to ensure maximum protection.
Door Locks and Deadbolts: Choosing an effective lock for an exterior door is essential for ensuring security. Statistics show that most intruders do not have the time or skill to pick a lock, so it is much easier and more profitable for them to find an easier target. Therefore, installing a quality lock is well worth the time and effort. A good quality pin-tumbler lock, with a minimum of five tumblers, is an excellent choice. Even better are high- tensile steel security door locks, which are difficult if not impossible to pick, even by professional thieves. The installation of heavy-duty deadbolts are strongly recommended for all rear entrances.
When choosing an exterior lock, keep in mind that the standard key-in-knob lock, which is commonly found on many exterior doors, is a very poor choice. This type of lock easily can be defeated by thieves using simple hand tools in a matter of seconds. Many key-in-knob locks also have bolts that can be slipped back with a credit card or plastic strip. If a salon has this type of lock on its exterior door, it would be wise to replace it.
Windows: Unfortunately, little can be done to stop a thief from breaking a window to gain entry to a salon if he or she is determined to do so. Therefore, the best protection is the installation of an interior security system that detects the sound or motion of breaking glass, which is covered in the next section.
Interior Security
An Alarm System: Perhaps the best investment a salon owner can make to protect the interior of a salon is to install a quality alarm system. The best systems utilize motion detectors which, in combination with an off-site security monitoring service, provide round-the-clock protection for a business. When evaluating alarm systems, keep in mind that there are four basic types of motion detectors commonly used:
- Passive Infrared Motion Detectors--These operate by detecting the heat signature emitted by a human body. The sensitivity can be adjusted to help avoid false alarms.
- Photoelectric Motion Detectors--Invisible to the human eye, these detect objects that breaks a beam of infrared light.
- Ultrasonic Motion Detectors--These operate by bathing an area with high-pitched (inaudible) sound. Anyone who breaks the beam will set off the alarm.
- Microwave Motion Detectors--These are similar to ultrasonic detectors and cannot be detected by the human ear or eye. They are a good choice when a large area must be covered.
A reputable security systems dealer should be able to advise you on which type of motion detector is best for your particular situation and budget.
Security Monitoring Services: No matter which type of motion detector salon owners choose to protect their salons, they probably will need to contract with an off-site security monitoring service. (Most areas prohibit the use of systems that dial the police or fire department directly due to the high incidence of false alarms.) When an alarm is triggered, the off-site security monitoring service staff will attempt to determine the cause of the alarm in order to dispatch the appropriate emergency personnel. Note that some services have the capability to listen in via microphones when an alarm is triggered to determine if the break-in was caused by thieves. Some systems also allow the security service to issue a warning through an intercom system that can frighten off intruders, therefore minimizing loss and physical risk to anyone responding to the call.
No matter how large or small a salon may be, securing adequate coverage is essential for protecting a business and peace-of-mind.
Universal Insurance Facilities, Ltd. offers a complete package of coverages specifically designed to meet the unique needs of the tanning industry. Universal's program is underwritten by the American International Group (AIG), one of the world's largest commercial insurance and financial services organizations and is rated A++ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company. For more information, or to get a quick, no-obligation quote, contact: Universal Insurance Facilities, Ltd., P.O. Box 40079 Phoenix, AZ 85067-0079 or call (800) 844-2101 or fax requests to (602) 970-6240. In addition, check out our Web site located at www.vpico.com/universal
