Domestic Retail Stores and personal security Home / Domestic / Retail / Stores and personal security Security fog sending burglars on the run Businesses that are usually high risk, such as goldsmiths, have long used Fog Cannons™ to secure themselves against burglars. Now more people choose to heighten security with the addition of so-called panic button. This allows staff to trigger the security fog during opening hours if threatened by an intruder. Private individuals employ the same solution as protection against home invasions. “I made the decision to expand my security fog system with panic buttons, so I’m now able to activate the fog during opening hours if the store should ever be subject to robbery again,” says a goldsmith from the city of Holstebro, Denmark. The owner wants to remain anonymous. The business’ traditional alarm system was upgraded with PROTECT Fog Cannons® after two robbers held him at gunpoint a few years back and then escaped with a significant amount of goldworks. The guns later turned out to be fake, but it was impossible to tell at the time it happened. At other robberies, the intruders have used knives or other hand-held weapons. Some goldsmiths as well as other high-end stores have tried to protect themselves with security airlocks. However, the criminals often get through by pretending to be customers and then turn out to be robbers as soon as they are inside. The advantages of the security fog are that it both hides valuables and protects the staff. The Fog Cannons™ are strategically placed in such a way that the fog will be emitted between the shop personnel and the robber; the robber will then have the opportunity to escape through the shop door. Pressing the store’s panic button or assault alarm will activate the security fog. The fog and the assault alarm can also be activated by a control centre if it is connected to the business’ video surveillance camera. Personal security If you use security fog during business hours or even at home, it is primarily to protect the owner and staff during a robbery, where the person under threat will most likely have a panic button under the counter and a remote control. If you choose to install a security fog system as protection against home robbery, the bedroom can act as a shelter. If attempts of assault, robbery, burglary or kidnapping happen, the fog can be triggered so the perpetrators won’t be able to see a thing. Previously many companies, shops and private individuals would simply make use of the security provided to them by the police or security guards. However, the police have many other vital tasks and will therefore not show up, unless security guards verify that a robbery is taking place and dispatch subsequently alerts a unit to attend the scene. Whereas, the security fog works the moment a robbery occurs and is as much a deterrent as police presence. Home robberies The victims of home robberies often describe it as a traumatizing experience, because robbers are often very aggressive and therefore know that the home owner will be scared, confused and uncomfortable. “A Fog Cannon™ can hide valuables and people in a dense fog for up to one hour. However, most intruders will make their escape as soon as the fog appears; resulting in peace of mind for those victimized and short downtime after the burglary, as damage will most-often be minimal,” says PROTECT™. Security fog systems: global success in preventing robberies and kidnappings The use of security fog for personal protection is relatively new, however, in the commercial world there are many successful stories that have emerged from around the globe, where proactive use of security fog systems has served as protection against robbers and kidnappers. Examples include: In New Zealand, the Justice Minister has granted public funds to support the installation of Fog Cannons™ in almost 500 smaller stores, because owners using Fog Cannons™ prevented three robberies over the course of three weeks. In all three cases the intruders ran off without assets and with minimal damage to the stores. Banking and securities company Brinks Panama, specializing in transport and transfer of valuables and securities, has installed Fog Cannons™ with panic buttons from PROTECT™ in their departments as a deterrent to assault, robbery and kidnapping. The security system was put to use at a pawnshop in Panama, as armed obbers threatened the staff and the customers. Yet again, the fog worked, and they ran off without hurting anyone. An armed robber in a Mexican jewelry store was forced to flee as the control center observed the assault on camera and activated the panic button, filling the whole shop with dense fog. In Norway, a number of service stations are equipped with Fog Cannons™ including panic buttons, which have chased away perpetrators. Secure your premises today Enhance your security with PROTECT Fog Cannons™. Contact us to learn how our advanced fog protection solutions can safeguard your business and valuables.