Workplace Violence Considerations for Safety

As society changes with the struggling economy, more and more people are losing jobs due to budgetary cutbacks. This problem is directly associated with workplace violence and it’s time for all of us to start thinking about our personal safety while at work.

Emergency response procedures are a vital element in protecting employees. As a veteran police officer, I have been personally involved in active shooter incidents, fire, assaults, and medical calls all occurring at commercial properties. Assuring your employer has an emergency action plan for commonly encountered incidents will no doubt save lives and prevent the incident from being worse. If your employer does not have a documented plan, develop one among your coworkers to include communication and keywords to discreetly identify trouble. Make frequent changes to passwords as employee rosters change with termination and attrition.

Proper placement of security cameras can prevent theft and be a major investigative tool in the event of a physical attack, particularly when they are placed frequently traveled areas or high occupancy around the office. Fake or dummy cameras have been known to be somewhat effective, however when it comes down to an incident actually occurring, they do not video the incident rendering them useless.

Making a small investment into your personal safety is always a good idea and considered as an insurance policy to good health. There are many personal defense weapons on the market that can be purchased for a reasonable amount of money. Some of these weapons include Tasers, Stun Guns, and Personal Defense Sprays. Another good self defense device to keep around the office is personal alarms. Audible personal alarms are capable of emitting a 120db tone to alert others of trouble or draw attention to you when confronted by threatening conditions. Personal defense weapons and tools have given people around the country the confidence to protect themselves when needed.

Every workplace has specific dangers within their own industry. The fact is, some industries are more susceptible to these events than others, although no industry is completely safe from violence. Having a solid action plan and the tools necessary to deploy it go a long way. Criminals prey on vulnerability and rely on all of us to be heavily involved in our work so we do not notice the signs of violence. A good action plan shows confidence and determination to survive which in turn deters crime.

Quality surveillance equipment is essential in fighting workplace violence. The days of the old affordable black and white VHS tapes are long gone and completely unreliable for investigative purposes. Quality digital video recording equipment is the last line of defense when it comes to identifying criminals. Remember that workplace safety extends beyond physical altercations, sexual harassment and other issues; the methods for addressing these should also be clearly outlined in the employee handbook too.

Criminal activities can take place anywhere and at any time, including offices and other commercial properties, homes, and outdoors. By keeping your personal safety in mind wherever you go, you can be prepared for these possibilities. Whether your office is protected by security guards or not, the personal safety of ever ne on its premises must be overseen by quality video recording equipment capable of identification in low light conditions.

Please visit us at www.stuntechproducts.com or Email Us form more information.

Are Personal Defense Plans Really Necessary?

Many of us sit at home every evening and watch news of rape, carjacking, and personal attacks which happen on a daily basis, yet we have all succumbed to the belief that this will never happen to us or one of our loved ones. As a veteran police office, I can honestly tell you this is a common problem in society. We must take alternative actions to protect ourselves. Personal defense weapons are an inexpensive alternative to becoming a victim of a violent personal attack.

Society and cost of living has made it necessary for many of us to work longer hours or sometimes multiple jobs. These issues place us in vulnerable positions because we constantly have other things on our minds other than our personal safety, we rely on local law enforcement to keep us safe. The reality is simple though. Law enforcement consists of proactive enforcement with officers concentrating on high crime areas and reactive responses to reported crimes. Although proactive enforcement deters crime, career criminals prey on vulnerability and patterns we set for our daily routine. Simply put, you are your own first line of defense. Here are three tips to keep in mind to ensure your safety:

1. Be proactive. Understand that at some point in your life, you may be confronted by a criminal. Rather than waiting to become a victim, develop an action plan for safety. Start by changing your routine frequently. Have multiple routes to and from work and home to avoid being followed home by criminals. Arm yourself with a stun gun, a canister of pepper spray, or Taser and train yourself how to use it properly without hesitation. Make your home more secure with home safety alarms and other products. Taking action now should be considered as a cost effective insurance policy into your personal safety. You owe it to yourself and your family.

2. Practice your techniques. Many people who carry personal defense weapons believe they are safe simply by possessing the item. You MUST practice using the device you purchase. If you do not know how to use the product, it is rendered useless when you need it. Be prepared to use it without hesitation. A quality personal defense weapon can save your life in the event of a personal attack.

3. Be aware of your surroundings. Take the time to look around before you get out of your car. Be aware of persons in the area who appear to not fit in. Park in well lit areas of the parking lot. At night park towards the front of the lot near the building. If necessary, drive around the lot until a parking space becomes available . Often times these areas are covered by surveillance cameras.

Making a few changes in your life is an easy start to defending yourself against crime. Criminals rely on our busy schedules and vulnerability and often time follow us around to learn our routine. Change things up a bit and don’t get in the habit of doing the same things daily. Always remember your personal safety is the most important part of your daily routine.

For more information on personal defense weapons, please visit us online at www.stuntechproducts.com or Email Us.