Personal Safety Checklist
Exercise 1: Self Evaluation of Caution
Conduct this self-study to identify areas of your life where you can reduce the chance that you might be a victim of Type 1 violence.
In the street:
1. Do you usually walk assertively? _____
2. Do you look confident, vigilant, unafraid? _____
3. Do you act as if you know where you’re going? _____
4. Do you walk on the outside of the sidewalk, away from doorways and shrubs? _____
5. Do you keep your purse or briefcase near you or across your chest to prevent someone from grabbing it? _____
6. Do you wear comfortable clothing that will allow you to run? _____
7. Do you think through the routes you frequently walk? _____
8. Are you aware of the location of public, all-night places, police,
fire stations? _____
9. Do you vary your route to be less predictable? _____
10. Do you carry your keys in your hand ready to enter your car? _____
11. Do you have some basic self-defense skills? _____
In your car:
1. Do you keep the following items in your vehicle? _____
flare, white rag, first aid kit, flashlight, tool kit,
a charger for your cell phone, and spare tire/jack?
2. Do you people know when to expect you? _____
3. Do you keep your car doors locked while driving? _____
4. Do you check the back seat of your car before entering it? _____
5. When driving in unfamiliar neighborhoods, do you make sure you have very clear directions or GPS is functioning? _____
6. Do you have a reliable vehicle? _____
Text 3: Workplace Security Measures:
Following is a list of workplace security measures that we should all take if possible. Check off the security measures that are in effect here.
qKeep the office and parking lot as brightly lit as the law allows.
qReport any suspicious persons outside the office to police.
qMake sure you’ve posted the police & fire department numbers by your phone with your address.
qKeep an eye on hidden corners, and lingering customer or clients.
qIf appropriate, post signs that inform customers that you have limited cash on hand.
q*Keep all doors to the offices locked except those absolutely necessary for customer or clients toThis should be primarily ONE door.
qDo not let employees leave work alone after dark.
qPark your car in a place that’s well lighted if you leave after dark.
qLeave valuables at home, and have employees do the same.
qAvoid stairwells and enclosed areas if leaving work late.
Text 4: Following are steps you should take if confronted by a robber:
qIf you are robbed or assaulted at gunpoint, stay calm and speak in a cooperative tone.
qDon’t argue with the assailant.
qDon’t offer resistance.
qHand overYour life is much more important to us!
qDo not try to stop the assailant, or try to be a hero.
qAlways move slowly, and explain what you’re doing to the assailant.
qThe robber wants to get the money and run. Do anything you can to aid his quick departure.
qPay close attention to the assailant, noting hair color, eye color, height & weight, moles, scars, tattoos, limp, etc.
qLock the doors after you’re sure the intruder has left.
qCall the police ASAP and call your area supervisor immediately thereafter check to confirm that other employees, or clients are okay.
qDo not open the doors until the police arrive, and don’t touch anything the assailant touched.
qOnce the police arrive, offer them your complete cooperation.
Exercise 2: Think of a situation outside a building, where you’ve in and/or around the Company’s offices and parking structure. Ask yourself the following questions:
1.What are all the possible avenues of escape?
This includes more people, better lit areas, and help.
2.What are the number, proximity and identity of people nearby?
3.Where are the large objects that can service as barriers?
This includes cars, fences, concrete buffers, or other obstacle.
4.Where are the smaller objects you can pick up and use as shields, or “weapons of opportunity”, if the need arises? This would include, purse, briefcase, or walking cane. You can scoop up handfuls of dirt, sand, gravel, or pocket change to fling.
5.What time of day? Are there many people within range who could see or hear you?
6.Are you parked under a light that works? Are all the lights in the parking structure operating? (If not, tell Maintenance or Human Resources)
7. Evidence of substance abuse, such as bottles or drug paraphernalia?
Text 5: What to do (non-verbal communication), when confronted by a threatening individual?
1.Project a confident and attentive demeanor.
a.maintain eye contact; avoid averting your gaze
b.assume a neutral facial position, calm and attentive
c.keep a relaxed, alert posture, back straight, feet shoulder witdth apart, and weight evenly distributed
d.minimize extra movement; keep hand gestures to a minimum, especially jerky movements
2.Mirror calm.
a.breath deeply and slowly from your diaphragm
b.use positive and affirming internal self-talk
3.Position yourself for safety.
a.keep a minimum distance of two arms lengths between yourself and a potential threatening person
b.angle your body 45 degrees; by angling your body, you present fewer vulnerable areas of your body (Keep your face forward)
c.keep your hands free and in front of your body; this way, your hands are free for blocking, should the need arise
d.position yourself behind a barrier, if possible
