When I bought my laundromat, safety was the first operational problem I had to solve—not revenue or machines.

The store sits in a busy Food4Less shopping center, which means constant traffic. That visibility is good for business, but it also brings loitering, vandalism, and other issues that come with operating in a city of 200,000 people.

You can’t predict every problem, but you can prepare for the most likely ones and adjust as you learn.

Here are the top five safety measures I focused on as a first-time laundromat owner:

1. Lighting

Lights are not just an aesthetic investment, they serve to eliminate “dark spots”, where loitering thrives.

They also signal that “this place is managed”, making would be vandals uncomfortable.

1. Cameras

Cameras provide an eye on all angles of the store. This is extremely valuable to an owner who is juggling multiple things.

Additionally, cameras provide a visible deterrent to criminalistic behavior.

1. Secure Restrooms

Clean restrooms are a hallmark of a well-run laundromat. Patrons deserve to have a clean restroom to use while using your facility.

The problem is that bathrooms are private rooms open to the public and that makes them attractive to bad actors.

The answer? Secure the bathrooms. Either with an attendant provide key or coin operated lock. This will deter loiterers although they will always be attracted to bathrooms.

1. Disciplined operating procedures

Operating procedures serve two functions:

First, they establish clear rules for cash handling and opening and closing routines, two of the most vulnerable periods in daily operations.

Second, they define exactly how staff should respond during emergencies, including violent or threatening situations.

Clear protocols ensure employees know when to disengage, how to alert authorities, and how to protect patrons until help arrives.

These procedures are designed to reduce confusion, speed response time, and ensure that support is on the way while prioritizing the safety of both customers and employees.

1. Attentive Store Oversight

Nothing replaces the presence and attention of an engaged owner or attendant.

Regular walkthroughs, prompt repairs, and clean floors send a powerful message: this business is monitored and cared for.

That visibility alone discourages nuisance behavior and unauthorized loitering.

A well-maintained store naturally stays more orderly—and safer.

Curious…What (if any) safety measures do you all use when attending your businesses?

Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/machete-wielding-man...