Workplace Safety

Workplace Safety TROOPER CRISTY PULLEN ILLINOIS STATE POLICE 217-786-7105

What does an offender look for? ? ?

Let’s Look Today At Three Areas of Concern: • Safety in your home/hotel room • Safety on the street/work • Safety in your car

The Four A’s • Awareness- Be aware of surroundings • Alertness- Be alert to unusual activities • Avoidance- Avoid problem areas • Act- Take action on information gained in this program

Passive Resistance • Talk • Yell Fire • Pretend to Have Chest Pains/Abdominal Pains • Feigning Sprained Ankle/Seizure • Falling Limp/Fainting • Vomit/Urinate • AIDS/HIV ?

Active Resistance ? • Break Away • Run • Fight • Possible Weapons: • Keys • Combs • Mace?

The Crime Triangle! ? ABILITY DESIRE OPPORTUNITY

What Does Your Employer Provide? • Agenda • Buddy System • Check In and Out • Cellular Phone ?

WORK SAFETY • KNOW YOUR CLIENTS • IDENTIFY ANY PROBLEMS YOU MAY HAVE TO DEAL WITH • TAKE A CELL PHONE • GO IN DAYLIGHT HOURS • IF SOMETHING SEEMS WRONG FOLLOW YOUR GUT INSTNCT

II. SAFETY AT WORK • Always be aware of your surroundings • Walk briskly with your head up, near the middle of the sidewalk • Carry pepper mace & security whistle • Keep your options open

What’s Wrong With This Picture?

WHEN AT ALL POSSIBLE • Use the “Buddy System” - • Vary your route and times • Avoid desolate areas • Carry your mace/whistle • Resist the temptation to wear a personal stereo (Walkman) • If you think something is suspicious ahead, cross the street before you get there

I. Home Security • Starts with a home assessment: • Take pictures or video of your home • Mark valuables with your SS# • Record serial numbers • Equip windows & doors with deadbolt locks – sliding patio doors with pins & tension braces

Let’s Look Outside… • Are your shrubs & trees trimmed back? • Do you have a high fence in the backyard? • Is your garage door fully closed & locked? • Do you hide a spare key? • Do you have adequate outdoor lighting? • Is your alarm properly installed & working?

Have You Considered?…. • Obtaining a large dog… Or Maybe…

Creating An Illusion… • Dog food/water bowls in a conspicuous place • “Beware of dog” signs in yard • Electronic Barking Dog device

Light timers Mail/newspaper pickup when away Answering machine, possibly with male voice Use peep hole – not door chain Never admit a stranger to your home Weapons in house Use initials in phone book, on mailbox Never enter your home if anything looks out of place Other Home Safety Considerations:

III. Automobile Safety • Keep your car well maintained at all times – this is your first line of defense! • Maintain at least a half-tank of gas if possible, particularly in winter months • Always carry a map of the area in which you are traveling, an emergency phone number list and a Send Police sign • A cell phone is your best tactical weapon

If Your Car Breaks Down… • Pull the car as far to the right as possible • Stay inside – with doors locked - and place a cell call to the appropriate emergency # or put your Send Police sign in the window • Do not accept a ride from strangers – ask them to call the police (or advise that police are on the way) • You can drive slowly on a flat tire if necessary

Stranded Motorists • Do not stop for a stranger • Use cell phone to report roadside problems • Go to next exit and call • Call 911 or *77 to report the problem

Car Jackings or Bump and Robs • Stagger car at intersections • Stay away from inside (curb) lane • Lock doors • Do not pull up too close to vehicle in front of you

Summary • Make safety a habit- EVERYDAY • Make the criminal’s job harder- not easier • Just like a seat belt, the information we have talked about today can not help you if you do not use it

Let’s Be Careful Out There!

Workplace Safety