Have you ever considered how a typical Tuesday at your salon can suddenly take a sharp turn in a split second? The power goes out. Darkness surrounds you. A client sits in the chair, half their hair colored, shampoo dripping into the sink. Or maybe someone yells from the back room: “The water’s flooding, everything’s soaked!” Perhaps you discover the back door has been forced open or — worst of all — smoke starts billowing inside the salon, and you need to evacuate immediately.

No, I’m not trying to scare you. On the contrary—I want you to be prepared to handle whatever life throws your way, both personally and professionally. An emergency plan acts like an invisible safety net, giving you peace of mind. That doesn’t mean you need to panic every morning when you walk through your door. It just means you can sleep a little easier knowing you’re ready if something unexpected happens.

Start at square one: what could possibly go wrong?

No need to overthink—simply stand at your salon’s entrance and take a real look around. Consider questions like:

  • Is your building older, with potentially outdated plumbing?
  • Are power outages common in your neighborhood?
  • Do you have expensive equipment that might attract thieves?
  • Are there elevators, stairs, or door frames in poor condition?
  • Is it possible someone could try to pick the lock on your door?

Write down everything that comes to mind. Simply being aware of these risks already reduces half of the uncertainty.
You can also expand this risk analysis to cover your salon’s daily operations: read how to manage your salon so all critical work processes run smoothly.

Your emergency plan — your best weapon when it counts

Here’s the principle: when a crisis hits, EVERY employee should know exactly what to do. No need for complicated instructions. Keep your emergency plan in the salon simple and crystal clear. For example:

  • Which rooms should you EXIT from, and which doors to use?
  • Where to GATHER after evacuation?
  • Who to call? (Make sure 911 and other important numbers are printed and posted visibly both at the front desk and in the back room.)
  • How to quickly notify clients if your salon’s operations are disrupted?

You’ve seen exit maps in hotels before, right? Create a simple one like that for your salon! Imagine this: if a new intern who just started yesterday finds themselves in a crisis, would they be able to act quickly and safely following your plan?

Emergency supplies (and why they matter)

These aren’t luxuries—they’re basic precautions:

  • Fire extinguisher(s)
  • A reliable flashlight (or two)
  • First aid kit
  • A bottle of drinking water and an energy bar in case help is delayed
  • Depending on your area, a backup generator—especially if power outages aren’t rare

Just as you regularly check if shampoos and colors are in stock, do the same with your emergency supplies. Inspect them quarterly—are the extinguishers still valid? Do the flashlights work? Emergencies rarely come with warnings or extra time to check your gear.

Don’t forget: data and documents need protection too!

Emergencies don’t just threaten people—they can also destroy bookings, client records, inventory lists, accounting papers... Imagine having to recreate all that from scratch. Who would you call? Where would you even start?

This is where digital backups come in handy (for example, through SalonLife’s system). With your critical information stored safely in the cloud—not buried in a filing cabinet—you can resume work from your phone at a coffee shop after any mishap, simply by logging back into the system. And if you’re wondering how to pick the right software for your salon, check out our guide to the best salon software.

How to spread the word quickly?

It’s incredibly important to determine how you’ll promptly inform everyone if something goes wrong. A client who receives a text or email an hour before their appointment that the salon is temporarily closed will understand better than someone who arrives to locked doors and an empty waiting area.

What are your options? A fast group email or SMS to all booked clients and employees helps reduce confusion. If you use a modern salon software (like SalonLife’s automated notifications), you won’t have to make phone calls or dig through spreadsheets—just press a few buttons, and the message reaches the right people instantly.

You’re in control, even when it feels like you’re not

If you’ve read this far, pause for a moment and ask yourself: could you stand tall and respond calmly tomorrow morning if the “worst-case scenario” strikes? Having a well-thought-out plan elevates your salon’s safety and gives confidence both to your team and your clients. Whenever possible, practice this plan with your entire staff at least once a year!

If you want to deepen your understanding of how to maintain control and professionalism even during daily surprises, read our overview of the importance of customer service and client satisfaction in your salon.

Next time, we’ll discuss how to manage situations when a team member unexpectedly calls in absent—how to handle staffing shortages effectively. Are you ready for such surprises? Stay tuned!