Situational Awareness: A Key to Your Safety | HuffPost Women Becoming more aware: A few tips on keeping you and your family safe 57 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<94B21628CD0A253A4D83801808161FB6>]/Index[49 25]/Info 48 0 R/Length 60/Prev 70674/Root 50 0 R/Size 74/Type/XRef/W[1 2 1]>>stream Watch Your Back. 3. Situational awareness is often discussed, but it's acknowledged how so few people know what it truly represents and why it's tremendously important. My office recently participated in a safety training class. Defensive precautions includes avoiding walking alone at night, not letting people follow you, and avoiding any form of intoxication from drugs or alcohol while in public. Does it matter that the light is red? To avoid last minute moves, scan the road 1015 seconds ahead of your vehicle so you can see hazards early. No more shuffling through papers or tracking down a handbook thats often locked away in a filing cabinet. Carefree yet cautious. Drive either ahead of or behind the other vehicle. Give yourself this time by keeping a "space cushion" on all sides of your vehicle. If other children are nearby, make sure you can see them before backing up. Public officials have records of where you live for tax and property ownership purposes. Do not respond to conversation from strangers on the streetcontinue walking. I went into the store. What about someone screaming for help? Ultimate Guide to Construction Management, perception of the elements in the environment. To learn more about the family of Guard911 apps with the only Hero911 officer network of 65,000+ nationwide law enforcement officers, contact our helpful team today for your no-obligation conversation. Exits: Always be aware of your exits, and have an exit strategy. By being mentally prepared, you can have the upper hand. Have an exit plan. Remind them to be aware everywhere they are. After working with you to understand your specific needs, we evaluate potential solutions to determine which best meets your operational and financial requirements. Stay safe this spring break by following safety tips from the Institutional Access and Compliance Office. 4. It's being aware of what is going on around you in terms of where you are, where you should be, and what in your surroundings could potentially be a threat to your health or safety. Go to the store on a different day. What to Look For when Buying a Stun Gun [2020 Buying Guide], How Martial Arts can improve discipline in Children and Adults. This widens your monitoring range for detecting anything out of the ordinary. %%EOF We can give you your valuable time back with 365 prepared toolbox talks just like this one about watching your surroundings, all delivered from our iOS and Android apps to your workers' phones, so your workers are focused, productive, and accident-free. Ask yourself if you have the proper tools, training and PPE to perform the task safely. Safety Awareness While Driving OMAG Being aware of potential hazards is the best way to turn an incident into a near miss. Watching Your Surroundings | Toolbox Talks | SafetyTek This is to be prepared and know how to respond if you are confronted. Look at the task in front of you. In the 21st century your biggest distraction is your smartphone. Relaxed awareness is not tiring, and it allows you to enjoy life while rewarding you with an effective level of personal safety. Of course they wont. 5 Welding Safety Tips - LWS Manufacturing & Welding Exuding an aura of confidence, awareness, and capability, regardless of how you actually feel, can help broadcast to any threats that you are an undesirable target, and increase your personal safety. The Keys to Defensive Driving (for Teens) - Nemours KidsHealth Backing up is always dangerous because it is hard to see behind your vehicle. Do you know how to learn or improve this skill? Situational awareness is not some magic pill that will automatically prevent an attack. Quotes about Awareness of Surroundings 19 Picture Quotes 5 Written Quotes We are gifted with freedom, but with that freedom comes the reality of the unknown and the responsibility to be aware of our surroundings and on guard against those who would do us harm. It can make you more aware of your surroundings, it can give you a different perspective on things, and can also make you see risks. 3. Keep your head on a swivel looking for potential hazards. Frequent practice is vital, as no two situations are the same, and every environment provides unique conditions that will challenge your adaptability. We both know they arent going to notice a potentially dangerous situation. Whether youre a citizen or law enforcement officer, adopting these five safety tips daily which really boil down to situational awareness and proactive diligence empowers you and forms habits that may help save your life or someone elses in the case of an emergency. Self-Defense Advice for Women: 10 Basic Safety Tips - Mom with a PREP Watch for large vehicles because they can gather speed very quickly. One of the most effective ways to do this, short of enrolling in formal classes or self-defense training, is by practicing everyday situational awareness. No. Carry your wallet inside your coat, or in a front pocket. Because of the way forklifts work, overloading can cause the rear wheels to rise off the ground and can make the whole machine fall over. So, the question becomes, what can we do to be safer? Do not be a tailgater! U.S. Pat. At freeway exits, do not drive alongside other cars. This means avoiding the distractions mentioned earlier. For more information about partnering with Raymond Storage Concepts and how we can satisfy your parts needs, pleasecontact ustoday. If someone stops to help, stay in your locked car and ask them to call the police, sheriff or a tow truck service. If you pass the same point before you finish counting, you are following too closely. Check your mirrors often. Always be aware of your surroundings, vigi-lant of activity around you and attentive to individuals approaching, walking purposely and with confidence. As mentioned earlier, situational awareness is a critical skill. Tech Support Intuition: Trust your gut. Don't stop to aid motorists by the side of the road. Jamey Noel. Be aware of your surroundings, and be alert to who is near you. Situational awareness is the ability to identify, process, and understand what is happening around you, while thinking ahead to prevent or mitigate potential safety incidents. Be alert to pickpocketers on crowded buses; check your purse or wallet if someone is jostling, crowding or pushing you. 10 Safety Tips to Teach Your Teenager The Better Mom Disconnecting from the cyber world will be most beneficial if you concentrate on being more present and meditating each . When walking, stay in well-lit areas and walk in numbers, if possible. If you are out shopping and you notice someone frequently and they appear to be overly observant of or interested in, or acting out of normal (remember, point 4), trust your gut. Always be aware of your surroundings. Report all suspicious persons and activities to the proper authorities (office manager, building security, law enforcement). Login. Be aware of your surroundings. 3 Ways to Stay Safe Around Heavy Equipment - ConstructConnect I told him I didnt have any. Be sure to always wear a breathing mask if your space has debris or dust, or if you have to deal with toxic or dangerous chemicals or fumes. 7 Ways of Practicing Everyday Situational Awareness | ATR [emailprotected] (618) 973-9174, The number of workplace shootings is increasing at an alarming[], Missouri School District Heightens School Emergency Response & Communication Are[], In regard to stopping killers in these uncertain times, before[]. Situational awareness: Preparing your team for the unexpected. 12 Parking Lot Safety Tips Every Driver Should Know! That is why getting familiar with the layout of buildings you are making smart safety sense. The first level, tuned out, is similar to when you are driving and are engrossed in thought and arrived somewhere in your vehicle without even thinking about driving there. Moak says this is a great practice and encourages everyone to be aware of their surroundings when leaving a mall or grocery store. 2007. Guard911 is here to help. If you suspect you are being followed, go into an open store or a Public Safety Safe Haven and have the clerk call the Police or Public Safety right-away. The reason? Successful situational awareness requires a proactive and flexible mindset, which can be achieved through regular practice. If team members see each other doing it then they will all follow suit eventually. Your brain goes into auto-pilot and you slowly stop consciously processing your surroundings. Following large vehicles that block your view ahead. Workplace Safety Tips Every Employee Should Know - eSafety Also be aware: "Familiarity breeds contempt" 1. How to increase awareness of your surroundings. Blind spots can hide a motorcyclist, a vehicle or a bicyclist. Safety and Situational Awareness: Staying Present and Focused The more space you allow between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead, the more time you will have to see a hazard, and stop or avoid that hazard. Leave a little earlier. If youre already thinking about it, then you are more likely to do it in a defensive scenario. Drive far enough behind the car in front of you so you can safely stop; especially in inclement weather, give yourself plenty of reaction time. Situational awareness is a critical foundation for successful decision making in most situations that you can be put in at work. 15. Play the what if game. It is a smart way to cultivate safer practices in your everyday life. Although a purse-snatcher's intent is to steal the purse, your personal safety may depend on not clinging to it. He started yelling at me louder. What Pocket Knife does MacGyver Use to be Prepared For Everything? Are you still searching for toolbox talks on google and then taking that information and re-packaging it for your safety meeting? When people are in an area where there is potential danger (which, in reality, is almost anywhere), they should go through most of the day in a state of relaxed awareness. Login is Emory's authentication tool for logging into multiple web systems and applications. Any person wishing to rely on the information present on this site should consult with competent legal counsel before doing so. Always stay within a group when possible. What would you do? 7 top tips for a safe night out | Crimestoppers If your car breaks down, open the hood and attach a white cloth to the car antennae. Don't allow loud distractions to stop you from keeping your eyes on your surroundings, rather than one direction. Keep in mind, carrying a weapon still isnt a magic pill. Leave a little later. Regularly exercising your senses can make them keener, which can help you avoid unsafe situations, determine threats faster, and pick up on critical information more quickly during emergencies. Constantly staring at the road just in front of your vehicle is dangerous. Do they talk with you and then everyone can see? Even practicing one of these skills on a regular basis can exponentially increase your situational awareness. Habits and Safety - Safety Talk Ideas Avoid all shortcuts and isolated areas. Allow other coworkers to give you ideas of what could and could not work in situations. Like if a job is too risky for one person to do it, or if a machine seems faulty. PDF Be Aware of Your Surroundings -Safety Talk Be alert of your surroundings. Make safety a revenue generating part of your company through increased productivity and save thousands of dollars avoiding expensive injuries, lawsuits, and claims. We hope these tips can be of value to you as 2019 begins, and we wish you a happy (and safe!) On the freeway, be ready for changes in traffic conditions. Every single day for the past 30 years, at least three workers don't make it home and thousands more experience a serious injury. You should learn to look at things with a 360-degree focus, not just from your view. The 7 rules of virtual meeting etiquette every - GoTo.com Blog How SchoolGuard Panic Button Helps Protect 6500 Students, Guard911 & Lt. Col. Grossman on Stopping Killers. When you know your surroundings, you can take better notice of the things that are out of the ordinary. Tips for Staying Aware of Your Surroundings - Fazer Defense Below are some tips that can improve your situational awareness. Keep your belongings in front of you and hold close to your body with both hands. Lose the tailgater as soon as you can. You need to practice this level of awareness when you are driving on icy or slushy roads. Be aware of locations and situations which would make you appear vulnerable to crime, such as alleys and dark parking lots. Allow extra room ahead, do not brake suddenly. Situational Awareness: Teaching Employees to Stay Alert on the Job You can, and should, carry all the tools and weapons you need. If you are being tailgated, be careful! Keep all electronic devices in an inside jacket pocket. Follow these parking lot safety tips whenever you find yourself in a parking lot on foot. When walking, keep to commonly traveled routes. Dont make yourself vulnerable. Failure to observe your surroundings before welding can drastically increase the risk of fire . Panicking adds to the chaos and breeds knee-jerk reactions, causing people to abandon all protocol and enter a fight-or-flight mentality. Slow down gradually or merge into another lane to prevent being hit from behind by the tailgater! Reading body language is a huge factor in training your perception of your surroundings. About Know where your kids are. Consider these tips: Keep your distance. Consider, whether you need to tell someone or react. Always lock your car doors after entering or leaving your vehicle. Protect your Back: Utilize walls and other barriers to protect your back and sides and maximize your field of vision, taking care not to back yourself into a corner. It has to be a conscious effort for everyone to have a 360-degree view of situations and show others the importance of doing so. The fourth level of awareness is high alert. This principle can also be applied to travel routes, and being conscious of obstacles, choke points, alternate routes, and so on. Adjust your work setup so that you face a window or are exposed to plenty of light. Even listening to music can be a distraction and a safety hazard. If you are biased on your views it can lead to risks for you and your coworkers. Facebook can wait. 9 Tips to Improve Situational Awareness in the Workplace - Border States You talk with others about safety. While situational awareness may not seem like a big deal to you it can help you on a job site. Take safety and emergency drills seriously. Do not be afraid to yell for help if they don't stop. Be cautious and aware of your surroundings, And . Be alert to your surroundings and the people around you. Can you see what others are seeing? Do not be afraid to speak to someone to ask them to not come closer if approaching you in a parking lot. 1. Motorcyclists can fall more easily on these surfaces. Senses: Practice engaging all your senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste) to their fullest extent to increase your personal safety. No. Where could I escape? Premeditating such responses can help them to become second-nature in the event of an actual emergency, making your response more effective. Situational Awareness: See Danger Before It Sees You - Survival Mom Stay Aware-Whenever you are walking in a parking lot (or anywhere else that cars typically drive), you should remain hyper-aware of your surroundings. And again, remind them about instincts: If they don't have a good feeling about a certain person, they should approach . If you work at a school, on any type of campus, or if your workplace needs an active shooter plan, Guard911 apps are a one-of-a-kind active shooter mobile safety alert technology that facilitates adoption of these safety tips. people pushing trays of items in a cafeteria), be alert when using stairs or ladders, while walking along corridors etc. Trust your gut. 13 ways to enhance your personal safety via situational awareness Then, if they spot something out of the ordinary that could be a threat or hazard, they can dial up to a state of focused awareness and take a careful look at that potential hazard or threat. Whether you're at home or at work, following an emergency plan will help you keep the situation in control as much as possible. Look both ways even if other traffic has a red light or a stop sign: Look to the left first, since vehicles coming from the left are closer to you than vehicles coming from the right. While wearing headphones, can you hear foot steps behind you? This doesn't mean you should be paranoid or stop enjoying your time out in public or at work, it's simply about practicing and mastering situational awareness - a skill that could save your life or someone else's. situational awareness for self-defense purposes. When another driver makes a mistake, you need time to react. Only use your devices after youve determined you are in an area or situation where it is safe to do so. Your aggressor will be surprised at your response, take advantage of that. For example, when you reach across a table to grab a pencil, you use proprioception to know how much. This doesnt mean you should be paranoid or stop enjoying your time out in public or at work, its simply about practicing and mastering situational awareness a skill that could save your life or someone elses. 2. endstream endobj 50 0 obj <> endobj 51 0 obj <> endobj 52 0 obj <>stream Notice other people their body language, eye contact, posture, stride. Understanding Your Surroundings While Driving, refer to the Basic Speed Law in the Speed Limits section. Educate yourself concerning prevention tactics. So even if you are distracted while driving, your mind knows which roads to take and can get you there. Here are some of my take-aways (expanded with some of my own thoughts and comments) that may be useful to you: 1. The police need the eyes and ears of all citizens. Proceed With Caution A warehouse is a busy place, with many different things going on at once. Being able to stop a task and make adjustments as needed is necessary. The best way to keep yourself and others safe is to identify the hazards in your workplace and be aware of your surroundings. Be alert to your surroundings and the people around youespecially if you are alone or it is dark. It serves two useful purposes. Invest in workplace safety and you can expect cost savings such as reduced workers' compensation costs, medical expenses, avoiding citations, and reducing unplanned work stoppages caused by occupational injuries. If you work alone or after business hours, keep the office door locked. Just because it is safe one day does not mean it will be safe every day. Maybe he isnt so innocent. Change lanes. Also, do not be afraid to speak loudly to someone so that you can get the attention of others nearby. Learn how your comment data is processed. You should allow a four-second or more cushion when: If you follow too closely and another driver cuts in front of you, just take your foot off the gas. Schools and businesses MUST be prepared for an act of terrorism and they MUST act quickly when faced with it. hWmo9+YHF]th%@ PV{0`pp8b(/HZQ`4p%&h^ `N'dHT^9-|Qug>>I)%A86pF~ yJME!7Rin>AxY1 You see a bus, school bus, or a placarded vehicle at railroad crossings. How is workplace safety evolving in 2022 and beyond? Manage - If you feel that the operation is unsafe, stop working. Stay in well-lighted areas as much as possible. In these active shooter situations, theres no room for complacency. Someone may step out from between them, a vehicle door may open, or a vehicle may pull out suddenly. Denial is a save now, pay later scheme. Schools and businesses that continue to be in denial must realize it is not a matter of if they will face an active killer or an attempt of mass violence, but rather when. Lt. Murphy. Its also affordable, extremely easy to use, and proven to save lives. It is important to note that situational awareness, being aware of ones surroundings and identifying potential hazards and dangerous situations, is more of a mindset than a skill. However, when was the last time there was a drill to ensure every person in the establishment knows what to do? Watch for signals from other drivers. At least half of the crimes in the Unites States go unreported, either because people don't think the police can do anything about it, or because people don't want to get involved. To provide you with the Top 5 Tips for Staying Safe, Guard911 consulted safety expert, Lt. Brian Murphy, a 23-year former Oak Creek, Wisconsin police officer who trains law enforcement officers on situational awareness techniques and strategies, as well as educating citizens on what it means to be aware of your surroundings..