For additional risk management techniques, or if you have any questions, feel free to contact Universal Insurance – we are happy to help.
[gap]If you can believe it, busy season is BACK and now, more than ever, it is important to be prepared.
Busy season means a lot of things: additional staff, increased inventory, and the best part – more traffic through your doors. Unfortunately, break-ins and robberies occur frequently these days and small businesses are often the targets. It would be nice to be able to assume that your business will not be robbed, that your customers will not steal, but no business is immune to crime and many times after the holidays, crime rates increase.
[gap]Keep these crime prevention tips mind, not only when you close your salon, but during business hours as well:
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- Install additional locks on doors and windows.
- Install and use a central station alarm system – make sure setting the alarm is part of the opening and closing procedures.
- Use the stickers that the alarm companies give you to put on your front door or window.
- If you cannot have multiple employees on shift, consider installing surveillance cameras to monitor activity while they clean or walk guests to their rooms.
[gap]Keep your place lit.
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- Leave some lights on – lighting in your salon at night could deter a burglar.
- Add censored night lighting or a motion detector.
Befriend your neighbors – nosy neighbors can be a burglar’s worst enemy.
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- Keep an eye on other businesses and hopefully, they will return the favor.
- Contact the police if you notice suspicious behavior at neighboring businesses.
- Let neighbors know if you are expecting any deliveries at unusual hours or of any activities that are not part of your normal schedule.
[gap]Be conscious of your salon keys.
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- Do not hide an extra set of keys at the salon’s front door and do not make it common knowledge where the extra set is hidden.
- Keep keys in a safe place outside of the salon where you or your salon manager can find them.
[gap]Keep your landscape well-groomed.
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- While you may need your landlord’s help with this one, make sure all trees and shrubs near doors and windows are trimmed to eliminate hiding places for intruders.
[gap]Be aware of what is being said about your business.
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- Do no advertise how it’s “busy season” or that you have extra cash in your drawer.
- Do not announce trips to the bank or an overstock of inventory.
[gap]Protect your valuables.
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- Keep your cash on hand minimal; deposit daily or lock it in a safe.
- Lock other valuables in a safe after hours or take them home every night.
- Put retail items out of sight at night if possible.
- Inventory valuables annually and photograph them. Mark items for I.D. purposes and keep the record in a secure location.
[gap]If a robbery occurs during hours, instruct your staff to:
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- Stay calm.
- Cooperate with the intruder and try to comply with requests.
- Not be the hero or confrontational.
- Contact 9-1-1 as soon as possible.
- Keep a hand-help panic device at the front counter and make sure staff knows how and when to use it.
[gap]Hopefully, these tips can help guard against potential loss and give you some good ideas to reduce the chances that your business will be the victim of a crime.
All of us at Universal wish you and yours the best in 2017, and a safe and successful busy season!
