Security Tips

The following lists are not exhaustive but rather a general guide of things to bear in mind that could help to keep you safe/safer while at home, at work, or while travelling. There are many opposing views, thoughts and opinions on what to do and not do and when to do and not do. If one has safety or security concerns or needs, one should consider seeking the advice and or counsel of a law enforcement or private security professional.

While some or many of the items listed can be adopted for multiple situations some apply more specifically to a certain topic. There is, generally speaking, no right or wrong but usually a good and better. Many are situation dependent.

While at home

»Close drapes/blinds/curtains. There can be many reasons and times to do so but generally speaking at night and when your residence is vacant. Sometimes only in the room or rooms where you are and are wanting privacy.
»Scan windows prior to opening doors. This is always a good habit, whether at home, at the office, or a hotel.
»Confirm identity of person prior to opening doors. Aside from visually identification, which may be all you need, a challenge-pass system can help to verify the legitimacy of the person attempting entry or passage.
»Position lighting between you and the window. In so doing, you make it more difficult, sometimes impossible, for a person peering from outside the window to determine your identity. Depending upon the lighting condiditons, the observer may not be able to ascertain your position, nor even actually see you. It's similar to having a bright flashlight shined into your eyes.
»Consider placing a destructible object on the window ledges/sills. A person attempting entry now has to cope with removing the obstacle without alerting you to their presence.
»Leash your dog(s) within “striking distance” of doors, windows and other perimeter breach areas as a stand-off tactic.
»Establish an early detection/warning system around your house/property. There are many early warning devices available for purchase, in-person or by mail/delivery. While most of these involve physical placement of such devices, they can prove to be quite useful.
»Establish an escape plan. Always a good idea, especially when travelling. Your escape plan should be developed over the course of time and tweaked/refined over the course of your travels. Even if you don't travel, or don't travel a lot, a so called home-invasion plan, similar in useage as your escape plan, should be developed. Your home-invasion plan could also include an escape plan.
»Establish a hunker down plan. Similar to the escape plan, this plan would detail and encompass what, how and when an otherwise necessary escape from your residence is impractical or impossible.
»Vary which light(s)/electronics remains on/off within your residence. Simple but effective means at keeping potential intruders who are not intent from figuring out your routine.
»Automated outdoor lighting with manual on/off switch is almost a must for houses. Similar can be done in an apartment/condo setting. If your dwelling does not already have such a feature, and you reside in an apartment or condominium, often a satisfactory temporary installment agreement with management can be had.
»Keep obstructions (shrubs, plants, trees, etcetera) as far from points of entry (windows, doors, etcetera) as possible. While they can provide cover from casual observation they can also provide cover for the very person or persons whom you are attemtpting to detect.
»Establish an alternate, safe location for extra key(s). Not just for your vehicle or vehicles but for your house (or apartment) and any out buildings you may have on your property. When any of those keys goes missing you may wish to consider changing the locks.
»To the extent you can, park your vehicle in a secured facility. It's simply an extra layer of security, especially if the facility ia staffed.
»Keep ready weapons in readily accessible areas. If keeping those weapons secured in a storage device make sure the device has an easy to remember and easy to use panic mode of operation. Does no good to have your weapons for self defense secured if you are unable to access them when they are needed.
»Stock up on essential items. These items are different from comfort items. Such essential items might include long shelf life edibles, jugs of water, extra bars of soap and sanitizer, toilet paper, bandages, extra batteries of the various types necessary to power your electronic devices, candles, lighters, matches, flashlights, etcetera.
»Ask your neighbor to keep an eye on the place. Always a good idea to develop a good rapport with your neighbors. Often times you will not have to ask them to keep an eye on your place when you leave your residence.

While at work

»Filter phone calls (co-worker asks "Who is calling" and checks to see if you are in/available, for example).
»To the extent that you can, vary your parking spot.
»To the extent that you can, vary your times of arrival and departure.
»Consider a carpool.
»If you are legitimately concerned about your safety, do not take pubic transportation.
»Park near an entrance/exit. This allows quicker ingress/egress. Better still, if you can, park nearest you can to the parking garage elevator or building entry.
»Perform a walk-around of your vehicle prior to entering -- look inside the tire wells, look underneath your vehicle, look for anything unusual to your vehicle's normal state or anything that is different or does not belong. This does not have to take a long time and, practiced enough, can become a second nature five to fifteen seconds safety check -- even if it only turns up a flat tire.
»Scan the area around your vehicle prior to exiting your vehicle. You just never know when someone, intentionally or otherwise, has ill intent towards you.
»Glance out the office windows periodically -- you never know when you may observe someone or a situation out of the normal.
»Establish duress system of challenge and pass codes as a means to verify one's identity, safety, or duress. This can be incorporated into a cell phone's quick access dialing features. Perhaps a particular sequence of digits and or symbols displayed onto a pager.
»Check the external security system camera monitors prior to departure. Always a good idea. Of course, if your facility has someone monitoring the cameras you might assume that person would alert you if there is reason to take precautions. Regardless, you can always that person as you depart if they observed anything unusual.
»Call, text or email someone at work that you are on your way there. If you don't arrive within a given period of time that person can always begin the escalation protocol.
»Ask a co-worker or the local security guard for an escort to/from your vehicle. Never a bad idea.

While travelling

»Take a travel buddy. Always a good idea.
»Visit pertinent Local, State and or Federal agency websites for pertinent information to your travels prior to departure.
»Notify the U.S. (or friendly) State Department if you find yourself in a situation not being handled by local authorities.
»If there is a friendly military base nearby, drive to it, reporting to the guards why you are seeking their aid.
»Know the laws pertaining to possessing, transporting, bearing, concealing weapons
»Contact a trusted local source, private or public, for logistics needs. You never know when this could come in handier than you thought.
»Hire a trusted local guide. This can be indispensible in navigating safely and turning a trip of a lifetime into a nightmare.
»Leave your vehicle in gear while at stops -- when not parked. In a panic situation you may forget to put the vehicle back into gear, preventing you from making a safe escape.
»Lock your vehicle doors and roll up the windows while driving. During the summer time it is tempting to roll down the windows. Sound advice says whether travelling at home or abroad, keep the windows up and the doors locked.
»Check your vehicle mirrors frequently. If you're paying attention you may notice that you are being surveilled by more than "security" cameras. If such is the case, you have probably been "marked" -- at which time it is time to go to plan-b and notify local authorities with as much detail as you can.
»Remain in your vehicle, with the engine running, if you have been boxed in or an attempt has been made for you to pull over and stop -- unless you are able to determine that the requesting party is a verifiable and legitimate police authority. Otherwise, to the best of your ability, do not comply with their request and do everything you can to get away.
»Carry photo-copies of critical documents, such as your passport in the event your identity documents go missing. When not in use, secure them in safe storage.
»Keep important/critical items in front-facing pockets (preferably trousers). Be wary of your belongings and your surroundings when a stranger attempts to chum up to you for no good reason. For this and other reasons, travel as lightly as you can -- especially when touring the area.
»Tuck sensitive/critical items inside socks, shoes, your belt.
»Survey the area you are staying. It is alwasys a good idea to get to the immediate area you are staying -- the layout, points of entry and exit, what types of establishments are adjacent, what types of people frequent, etcetera.
»Close drapes/blinds/curtains -- especially when bedding down. This may spoil your view should you wake up but it can, at the very least, interrupt hostile surveillance.
»What is normal? Suspicious person/activity does not equal criminal nor intent. It is a good idea to establish early on what and who are considered normal for the area you are visiting. If you spot something or someone out of the normal, it may be nothing, it may be something. Simply be aware.
»Don't rely solely upon the physical security measures utilized by most hotels/motels/hostels when it comes to securing your room door; consider utilizing a reliable door-stop, or two, during your sleep.
»Carry a concealed weapon -- if permitted legally. If not legally permitted where you are, seriously consider your alternatives.
»Carry personal defense expedients (improvised weapons) in-vehicle and on-person. Well designed types will look inocuous to most people but could prove to be the deal breaker.
»Carry an emergency road-side kit -- if you can. These days, most people don't think of much when they see a vehicle on the side of the road. And, for safety sake, could prove the difference at night.
»Take a printed map of the area you are travelling. Often times, a printed map of the local area is more up to date than electronic versions, are more detailed, and better scaled/easier to read. You can glean a lot from local tourist maps which can be acquired at information centers and most hotels.
»When in Rome, do as the Romans do, so the saying goes. By do doing, you blend-in more and, potentially, gain the affection of the locals -- who could prove to be your saving grace.
»Have/take/carry a flash-light with flash and or strobe capability and intensity switch. This is not only good for night navigation when on foot but can prove to be beneficial when needing to distract and either attack or slip away.
»Alternate/vary your position in traffic. Much as the saying about not being a static target. You may be a target but don't be a static target.
»Establish a lost/separation rally point. Getting lost or separated happens more often than is talked about. By utilizing agreed upon rally points, much potential distress can be avoided.
»Dress to your environment. This goes for more than just weather conditions. To the best of your ability, don't look like a tourist.
»If you are considering taking public transportation, consider utilizing a verified driver/escort service -- if your budget allows. A private service allows for far fewer distractions, higher to substantially higher degree of security. It is in the private firm's best interest to make sure you are safe and secure. If you take the private driver/escort route, just remember to tip liberally when it's over. Because, if you enjoyed your otherwise hassle-free, safe and secure travel it is not unreasonable to suspect that the trip was as it was due, at least in part, to the private driver/escort.
»If money allows, consider hiring a reputable private security driver service or a bodyguard (or two, or more). Just make sure that the person or persons in question are actually more than menacing looking and big. That's all fine but does nothing to help when SHTF.
»If in trouble, notify law enforcement and or drive/walk briskly to a populated public area. A person genuinely in trouble is far more likely to be safe, or safer, if in the "company" of others.

In general

»Be confident -- not cocky nor arrogant.
»Be aware of your surroundings. Often over-stated but rarely heeded.
»Knowing your limitations, and the situation, will determine whether fight or flight is appropriate. Unless it is your duty to remain and fight, removing one's self from a potential trouble spot is always preferable to engaging. Live for another day, as the saying goes.
»Listen to your inner voice. Many times this has been stated and in various methods: movies, books, etcetera. Unless you're paranoid, your inner voice is telling you something.
»Don't not be afraid to ask for help. You might be surprised at how often people come to your aid when they perceive that you are being treated unjuestly.
»Plan for up to the worst case scenario. If you don't, you're not planning and preparing, you are deluding.
»Remain calm/keep your bearing. If you are panicked, you are very likely not thinking clearly.
»To the extent that you can, vary your route(s), locations, and time(s). Doing so makes hostile surveillance more difficult, and can make discovering hostile surveillance easier for you or your security team.
»Know your habits and be willing to change them temporarily. This goes to hostile surveillance and those with ill intent toward you.
»Know (research) who you are dealing with. Many a scam and otherwise potentially bad situation have been avoided by delving into another's persona and stated claims.
»"Look around" corners. Another way of expressing this is to "look ahead" when turning corners. You never know who or what lies in wait for the person who is not alert.
»Let somebody know where you are going, how long you intend to be gone/there, and when you expect to be back. This goes back to someone else knowing your itinerary per the escalation protocol.
»Check-in at prescribed intervals. This may sound like the purview of security, intelligence and military personnel but it can prove to be a lifesaver or just a reduction of distress for others. Either way, it is never a bad idea to check-in with another at prescribed intervals.
»Do not accept rides from strangers. This, as so many things taught us by our elders, should go without saying. But, you may be surprised at how few people actually adhere to this "street rule"

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