How-to Protecting Your Tobacco Business: How Fog Cannons Can Prevent Burglaries Home / How-to / Protecting Your Tobacco Busine... Tobacco retailers face a constant threat of burglary, with criminals targeting their valuable stock. The use of fog cannons has emerged as a powerful and innovative solution to deter burglars and protect your tobacco business. This article explores the effectiveness of fog cannons in preventing tobacco burglaries and provides valuable insights on their installation, operation, and benefits. Understanding the Tobacco Burglary Problem Tobacco products are highly attractive to burglars due to their high resale value on the black market. Burglars target tobacco retailers for various reasons, including: Lucrative Target Tobacco products are easy to sell on the black market, for a high price. Criminals view tobacco retailers as a source of quick cash and potential profit. Low Risk Traditional security measures like alarms and surveillance cameras have limitations. Response times for law enforcement may not be fast enough to stop burglars in the act. High Demand There is a consistent demand for tobacco products, making it a sought-after commodity on the black market. To minimize these threats, tobacco retailers need innovative security solutions like fog cannons. How Fog Cannons Work Fog cannons, also known as security fog systems or smoke screens, are advanced security devices that deploy a dense, non-toxic fog when triggered. This fog obscures vision and disorients burglars, making it almost impossible for them to see or steal valuable items. Here’s how fog cannons work: Activation Fog cannons are connected to an alarm system, motion detectors, or panic buttons, and can be integrated with all at the same time. When a breach is detected, the fog cannon activates. Rapid Deployment The fog cannon releases a dense, harmless fog within seconds. The fog fills the targeted area, reducing visibility to almost zero. Disorientation Burglars become disoriented and confused due to the thick fog. They often flee the premises, abandoning their criminal activities. Benefits of Using Fog Cannons Deterrence Fog cannons are a powerful visual deterrent for potential burglars. The prospect of immediate disorientation and capture deters most criminals. Protection of valuables Fog cannons protect your valuable tobacco inventory. Burglars cannot steal what they cannot see. Rapid Response Fog cannons reacts immediately when the chosen activation method is triggered. Provides valuable time for law enforcement to respond. Minimal Damage The fog produced is non-toxic and leaves no residue. You can find our approvals and certifications here. It does not harm your tobacco products, store fixtures, or equipment. Cost-Effective Installing fog cannons is a small investment, compared to the burglaries they can stop. They require minimal maintenance and offer long-term security benefits. Watch how a fog cannon makes thieves flee from a tobacco shop. Choosing the Right Fog Cannon System Selecting the right fog cannon system is crucial for the effectiveness of your tobacco store’s security. Consider the following factors when making your choice: Size of the Store The size of your tobacco store determines the number and placement of fog cannons. Usually only one Fog Cannon will be needed for tobacco stores. Larger stores may require multiple units for optimal coverage. Alarm Integration Ensure that the fog cannon system integrates seamlessly with your existing security alarms. All PROTECT Fog Cannons work with all alarm systems. A high-quality alarm allowing quick activation is crucial to stop burglaries in progress. Fog Thickness and Duration Different fog cannons produce varying levels of thickness and duration. Choose a system that suits your specific security needs and layout. This depends on room size and if point-protection or full-protection is wanted. Your local distributor will always be ready to help you out with finding the right PROTECT Fog Cannon for you. You can find your local distributor here. Maintenance and Reliability Opt for a fog cannon system that requires minimal maintenance and offers long-term reliability, like our PROTECT Fog Cannons. Choosing a lower quality fog cannon can lead to mistakes when the machine needs to be reliable. Thereby, it can be a good idea to invest in quality, as the return usually is much larger. Regularly serviced systems ensure they function when needed. Remote Monitoring Some fog cannon systems offer remote monitoring and control, like the PROTECT Fog Cannons. We offer multiple different monitoring solution, which you can read about here. This feature allows you to manage your security remotely, enhancing convenience and peace of mind. Fog Cannon Installation and Maintenance Proper installation and maintenance are essential to ensure the consistent effectiveness of fog cannons in protecting your tobacco business: Professional Installation Consult with your security company for the installation of fog cannons. You can find your local PROTECT distributor here. Professionals will assess your store’s layout and recommend the optimal placement of units. Regular Maintenance Schedule routine maintenance and inspections to keep fog cannons in top working condition. Maintenance includes checking the levels of fog fluid and the system, ensuring the integrity of the fluid, and testing activation systems. Training Ensure that your staff is trained to operate the fog cannons, e.g., with a panic button solution. Read our article on panic buttons here. Effective use of the system can save your business from potential burglaries. Read our comprehensive article explaining Fog Security to learn even more. Protecting your tobacco business from burglaries is a great concern. Traditional security measures often fall short, making innovative solutions like fog cannons an attractive choice. These systems are cost-effective, highly efficient, and provide peace of mind for both retailers and customers. Fog cannons deter burglars, protect valuable assets, and create a safer environment. By choosing the right system, ensuring proper installation and maintenance, you can significantly reduce the risk of tobacco burglaries and safeguard your business’s future. Invest in the security of your tobacco store and embrace the power of fog cannons to prevent theft and ensure the longevity of your business.