| Although occasional museum heists make front-page | | | | to open the case, the alarm will sound. This may also |
| news, most small museums grapple with more | | | | be a good option if visitors frequently come near |
| routine, day-to-day security issues. Armed thieves | | | | doors meant for employees only. Off-limits areas |
| with an eye on iconic masterpieces are not the only | | | | may also be protected using a Safety Beam, which |
| security risks faced by museums. While institutions | | | | sounds an alarm if a specified line is crossed. These |
| such as the Smithsonian have large security forces, | | | | motion-activated alarms are also an ideal choice for |
| the smaller community museum may be underfunded, | | | | protecting your museum at night. |
| with little to no budget for security improvements. | | | | If you have valuable objects in your museum, |
| Luckily, there are several simple devices that can | | | | consider effective security screening procedures for |
| ensure that both the museum's collections and its | | | | the entrance of the museum. A handheld metal |
| employees and visitors are well protected. | | | | detector can protect you from armed burglaries. If |
| The first step is to stop unwanted visitors from | | | | your museum has a collection of metal objects, |
| breaking in. Place security cameras (either dummy or | | | | similar security screening at the exits can ensure that |
| real) near the entrances to your museum. Surveillance | | | | small pieces do not walk out in someone's pocket. It |
| cameras should also be placed indoors near | | | | is also a good idea to have a bag and coat check |
| particularly valuable artifacts as a theft deterrent | | | | near the door to prevent opportunities for theft. |
| measure. Wireless cameras are ideal for museums | | | | Museums should be worried not only about potential |
| looking for a cost-effective solution, because you'll | | | | theft, but also about the safety of museum staff |
| avoid needing to drill into the walls or run wires. | | | | and visitors. Install plenty of safety lighting near the |
| Dummy cameras have a proven psychological | | | | floors so that people can find their way around and |
| benefit, while surveillance cameras can catch | | | | to the exits if the lights go out. Don't forget about |
| perpetrators in action, helping your museum retrieve | | | | emergency kits placed in convenient locations. Your |
| stolen artifacts and catch perpetrators after the fact. | | | | museum should have emergency supplies in areas |
| Protect doors and windows with simple wireless door | | | | that will be easily accessible during any emergency, |
| and window alarms, which can be installed in just | | | | such as a medical incident or a natural disaster. |
| minutes with no modifications to the existing | | | | If your museum can't afford a million-dollar security |
| structure. These types of alarms can also be used as | | | | overhaul, don't despair. Even museums with small |
| personal alarms or 'panic buttons' for museum | | | | budgets can do a lot to prevent theft in the |
| employees, and can be placed in convenient locations | | | | museum. For less than a hundred dollars, you can |
| around the building, such as at the front desk or in | | | | outfit your museum with simple security measures |
| the offices upstairs. In addition, they can be used on | | | | that will go a long way towards protecting your |
| the openings of exhibit display cases. If a visitor tries | | | | collection, your staff, and your visitors. |