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There are many service businesses that rarely ever have customers show up at their location. Ultimately, deciding between a siren and silent panic button depends on the business and potential risk scenarios at hand. A retail bank or convenient store in which most of the people on staff will be face to face with the perpetrator, a silent alarm could potentially avoid further exasperating the situation. If there is a perpetrator on a school campus or industrial complex, it might make more sense to have an audible siren that warns others of a potential danger. It’s critical that each business or institution evaluate whether a silent alarm or audible siren makes the most sense. Is it safer to have police arrive unexpectedly and catch the criminal off guard? This could potentially result in a hostage situation. Do you want a culprit to hear the siren and potentially try to make a run for it? There is a risk that this might upset the perpetrator and cause them to lash out or inflict immediate violence, or it could encourage them to leave the premises. The next question to ask is if your business should have silent panic button or one that sounds an alarm. On duty police in the area will be dispatched to your location immediately.
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When a robber yells “freeze” an employee should be able to quickly hit the button without anyone noticing. It’s important to place buttons in locations where employees will likely be at the time of a situation. These buttons are small and usually placed in a discreet location, like just under the lip of a desk or retail counter. What is a Panic Button?Ī panic button is a strategically placed or hidden button that automatically alerts police to an emergency situation. Installation of a panic button is a great way to potentially mitigate this danger.Įvery business should evaluate the level of risk and vulnerability in their particular establishment and determine if a panic button is needed. With just about any business there is a chance that an angry or unstable customer, disgruntled employee, someone with a mental illness or a robber will cause or threaten violence in the establishment. Every business owner wants to provide a safe environment for employees and customers.
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