Employee Wellness: Tips for Healthy Living

With busy schedules and lifestyles, keeping the mind, body and soul healthy can be a major challenge. Securitas would like to offer these tips to help everyone live a happy, healthy, safe and balanced life:

• Get Physical – Exercise not only helps you build muscle, lose weight and gain self-confidence, but it's vital in maintaining a healthy heart. And, don't think you need to spend hours at the gym to achieve a new physical you. From strength training and cardio workouts, to walking the dog or taking the stairs – anything that gets your heart pumping will benefit your health.

• Stress is a Mess – Over time, stress can lead to serious health issues such as obesity, depression and even death. Wellness experts suggest that when you start seeing red, instead think blue – as in blueberries. Antioxidants found in the tasty fruit fight stress hormones. Also, don't forget to breathe. Inhaling a deep breath for 5 seconds then exhaling for another 5 seconds can help clear your mind and enhance blood circulation.
• LOL, Laugh Out Loud – Build your immune system through laughter! Health-increasing hormones like endorphins are released into your body when you laugh. Additionally, laughter works your abdominal muscles.
• Eat Healthy – We know we should eat healthy, choose the ideal proportions or foods and food groups to eat according to your body size and structure.  For more information, please reference Canada's Food Guide.

• Get Plenty of Zzzzzz's – Between work, family and extra activities, it's sometimes difficult to get the necessary 6 to 8 hours of sleep per night. Be sure to avoid caffeine or exercise right before bed. Instead, try reading a book or mediating.

• What's Up, Doc? – Going to the doctor only when you're sick isn't going to cut it. For both your physical and mental well-being, it's wise to have a routine annual physical examination. Especially if your family has a history of health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure, getting regular check-ups can help prevent or detect serious health issues.

• Yoga-tta Do It – Yoga, an ancient practice of stretching and breathing techniques, has become a popular exercise for both men and women. In addition to releasing positive energy, yoga prevents injuries, promotes flexibility and can add relief to a stressful day.
• The Right to Recreation – You schedule meetings and appointments each week, so why not schedule time for recreation? Be sure to set time each week for activities you enjoy. Whether it's dinner with family and friends, or taking the phone off the hook and curling up with a good book, be sure to block out time on your calendar with activities that you enjoy and will rejuvenate you.

Identity Theft: The Digital Doppelganger

"But he that fliches from me my good name/Robs me of that which not enriches him/And makes me poor indeed." (Shakespeare, Othello, Act iii, Sc.3.)

We live in a modern digital world where there exists a growing and unknown threat from cyber thieves. As we approach the end of the summer and begin to prepare for the holiday season, we must realize that we all are at risk of identity theft. In the era of quick internet searches one can find out a treasure trove of information on people with nothing more than a name and maybe an address. Understanding and awareness is what can mean the difference between proactively stopping a crime in its tracks or working reactively for months, if not years, to repair the damage.

Learn Proper Work Email Etiquette, Today

What is proper email etiquette while at work?

Ask yourself two questions when preparing a work email. First, “Is it inappropriate?” and second, “Will it offend anyone?” If you can answer yes to either or you are not sure then err on the side of caution and do not click that send button.

The best rule is always use a common sense approach to email then you will not have anything to worry about. In this day and age of social media and digital technology keep your professional and private lives separate. If you would never say it to someone's face then do not send it to their email! 

In this issue:

• What is email etiquette?
• "I deleted it, but is it really gone?"
• Learn clear and concise communication skills

Continue reading...

Spotting Suspicious Activity

The milder weather of spring coaxes green stems to sprout and dreams of travel to blossom. Unfortunately, the weeds of terrorism also sneak out of their underground hiding places and attempt to blend into the crowd of budding spring flowers. Travel experts are forecasting a sunny season for increased tourism in 2015. At the same time, security experts are forecasting a stormy year of increased terrorist activity. Unlike the lovely spring flowers, terrorists cannot thrive in the bright light of day. They prefer to strike from the shadows; blending in with innocent people so as to make detection of their despicable plans more difficult. The challenge for the security professional, and the general public, is to spot the weeds as they are sprouting and rip them out by the roots before they can overrun the flower beds. 

Focus Your Vigilance 

Most tourists tend to be curious and somewhat adventuresome, occasionally wandering off the beaten path to discover new sights and experiences. Terrorists may also be curious and adventuresome when planning an attack. How will you tell the difference between the two groups? You will have to be alert to some subtle differences in behaviour.

Download and Read the complete Spotlight on Security from the following link:

http://goo.gl/05cbD5

* This guide is for informational purposes only and does not contain Securitas Canada’s complete policy and procedures. For more information, contact your Supervisor or Branch Manager.

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Your Guide to Travel Smart & Safe

Are you "leaving on a jet plane," "rolling down the river," boarding the "Chattanooga Choo Choo," or just "cruising down the highway, looking for adventure?" Travel can broaden your knowledge and enrich your spirit. So, let's start packing! But remember to pack more than just your clothes. Pack one of Securitas's core values, Vigilance to help make your travel safe and secure.

One of the very first things you should do is to make a thorough checklist of all the items you need to pack and to take care of before you leave. Did you remember to put a hold on your mail? Did you confirm your hotel reservation? Did you get your traveler's checks? Have you packed any medications you might need? With so many different things to remember, it is easy to overlook something. Making a checklist will help you keep it all straight. In the same way that a good security officer should check their post orders, a good traveler will verify that every item on their checklist is packed or taken care of before they set foot out of the home.

The attached handbook provide you some safety tips on how to travel smart. Click on the Download Link Below for your copy of the handbook.

Three Golden Rules

These safety tips are only a few of the dozens recommended and following them will help make our travel safer. At the root of each of these safety tips are three simple rules that apply to daily living as well as to travel.

• Plan ahead 
• Remain vigilant 
• Use your common sense

Following these three key safety rules and applying the safety tips can help make your travel experience both secure and satisfying. Have a nice trip!

***This guide is for informational purposes only and does not contain Securitas Canada's complete policy and procedures. For more information, contact your Supervisor or Branch Manager.***

Peaceful or Problem? How to Cope with Crowds

A political rally, a rush-hour train platform, a labor strike protest, a rock concert, a department store holiday sale, and a family reunion are different events, but they all have one thing in common; a crowd of people. In most cases, these gatherings will end without serious incident. But sometimes, a peaceful crowd can become a threatening mob. As a security practitioner, you have a duty to protect persons and property, but what can you do if you are faced with an angry mob?

WHAT IS A MOB?

We live in a great country, where people are guaranteed the right to peacefully assemble in groups. These groups, or crowds, are simply a number of people temporarily gathered together for a common purpose. They can range in number from a handful to a stadium full. Crowds are generally peaceful, even crowds of protestors, but circumstances, either random or planned, can change a peaceful crowd into an angry mob. Emotional tensions in a large crowd can be increased simply by the congestion which reduces each individual's personal space. The event which has drawn the crowd can provoke intense emotional responses, such as a political rally or a hotly contested sporting event.

In a highly charged, emotional atmosphere, a crowd can sometimes erupt into an unruly mob if a spark of conflict is ignited. Even normally law abiding citizens can be caught up in the heat of the moment and become members of a destructive mob. This can occur spontaneously, as when a fight breaks out due to pushing or other rude  behavior.  Other times,  it  can  be  deliberately  caused   by   an agitator seeking to enflame the crowd. Tempers can flare up due to adverse weather, delays in gaining access to an event, or the use of alcohol and other drugs that can reduce inhibitions and impair rational thought. As a security professional, you should be on watch for any factor that can turn a peaceful crowd into a violent mob. Stay focused on the crowd and keep your team members and supervisors advised of any conditions that may provoke mob behavior.


PREPARATION FOR ANTICIPATED CROWDS

The possibility of a crowd becoming a mob can be minimized with proper advance planning. Your supervisor should provide you with complete information about the crowd before you go on duty. You will be better prepared to spot and respond to potential trouble if you know about …

• the reason for the gathering or the type of event.
• the area occupied.
• the size of the expected crowd.
• the characteristics of the people in the crowd.
• the identity of potential troublemakers.
• the location of command posts.
• who to contact for assistance—including police, fire, and emergency personnel.
• If your post orders do not cover these specifics, ask your supervisor for the information.

When a crowd is anticipated, supervisors should, where ever possible,  assign  security  practitioners   who  have  had  training  in crowd control, such as the classes available through the Securitas Center for Professional Development (SCPD).

As a uniformed symbol of authority, your presence can have a dramatic effect on crowd behavior and can help prevent the eruption of mob behavior. Maintain a visible presence and follow these guidelines to help you keep order and deter potential incitements of mob mentality.

• Behave professionally – do not swagger, strut, swear, argue, or become hostile in any way.
• Stay focused on the crowd, not the event.
• Do not have physical contact with crowd members.
• Keep calm and alert at all times. Do not show emotion.
• Be polite, but not subservient. You must be seen as being in charge and in control while passively allowing lawful crowd behavior.
• Do not respond to taunts, threats, or agitation.
• Maintain an even tone of voice and do not try to "out shout" aggressive individuals.
• Allow angry persons a chance to "vent" their feelings verbally. Actively listen to the person while waiting for them to pause for a breath and then take advantage of the opening to establish control of the conversation.
• Set reasonable and enforceable limits of acceptable behavior for crowd members.
• Call for assistance, as necessary.

RESPONSE TO A MOB

In the event of civil unrest, your first priority is always your personal safety and the safety of the persons and property you are protecting. Site administrators, supervisors, and security practitioners should take the following defensive steps.

• Use an authoritative but non-hostile tone of voice when addressing a crowd. Maintain an upright, confident, and commanding posture.
• Do not allow yourself to be surrounded by aggressive people. During a time of civil unrest symbols of authority can become targets for the mob's rage. Always be aware of your escape routes.
• Ensure that all site personnel are informed of the situation and are sheltered.
• Move people to pre-selected safe havens and secure the site against trespass and vandalism.
• Maintain visible posts at all open access points, as long as it is safe to do so.
• Restrict access by locking doors, gates, shutters, elevators, escalators, etc. (as per Post Orders).
• Turn security cameras outward to view any disturbances and video tape as much activity as possible. • Use public address systems to keep building occupants informed of conditions. Remember to keep your voice calm and matter-of-fact at all times.
• If there is no immediate threat and transportation is available, consider evacuating the occupants to a safer area.
• If evacuation is not possible, use all available resources to prepare for prolonged habitation. Riots can sometimes last for days.

Be aware that in times of severe civil unrest authorities (police, fire, EMS) may not be able to immediately respond to calls for help. Be prepared to be as self-sufficient as possible.

• First aid and medical supplies should be fully stocked.
• Firefighting equipment should be fully operational and at hand.
• Communications equipment (cell phones and radios) should be fully charged.
• Flashlights should have fresh batteries and replacement batteries should be on hand.

Much of mob behavior has been associated with the anonymity of an individual in a crowd. Recent research has shown that when people are aware that their behavior is being recorded, they are more likely to conform to social norms and less likely to behave in a criminal manner. If you are equipped with a video recording device, make it known to any person you must confront. There is a good chance that the act of being recorded will cause the person to modify their behavior and deescalate the situation.

SAFETY IN THE FACE OF CHAOS

A mob is volatile and often uncontrollable. It can flare up and die down in minutes, or rage on for days. Depending on the specific conditions and circumstances that created the mob, you may be able to successfully restore calm by using the some of the techniques above. But never forget that your safety and the safety of the people you are protecting is your number one concern. If control is not possible, get yourself and others to safety as quickly as possible, immediately call for assistance, and secure the premises to the best of your a If there is no immediate threat and transportation is available, consider evacuating the occupants to a safer area.

Keep calm and collected as you prepare to ride out the wave of human frenzy that propels a mob.

Training Helps You Be Prepared

Mobs are unpredictable. The best way to deal with them is to prepare and train in advance. This article contains a number of preparation tips. You can find more good guidance about dealing with crowds and mobs by reviewing training courses available through the SCPD library and the Learning Management System (LMS) online classes. Working With Crowds, The World of Crowd Safety Management has good tips at http://www.workingwithcrowds.com/north-america-canada/.  Search for information about Crowd Control.

About Securitas

Securitas has been providing security services since 1934. With over 7,000 people in Canada and 310,000 people globally we have the experience and knowledge to offer a broad range of services; including On Site Security Guarding, Remote Guarding, Technology Solutions, Corporate Risk Management and Investigations. Our customized Integrated Security Solutions will meet all of your security needs, large or small. Please visit http://www.securitas.com/ca/en-ca/Services/On-Site-Guarding/ to know more about our Security Guard Services for Temporary Events Crowd Control

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The Dangers of Hypothermia & Carbon Monoxide - Be safe!

So many unique cold weather activities combined with the holiday season, winter can be a joyous time. Many parts of the country are blanketed with dazzling white snow. Sports lovers enjoy an abundance of skiing, ice skating, and sledding. All ages love building snowmen and snow forts for spectacular snowball fights. Winter is fun only so long as you can safely retreat from the cold when needed.

Personal Safety and Warmth The simplest action you can take to stay warm is to add layers of clothing, so be sure to store the clothing you may need in your car while traveling. Cover your

hands, head, face, and feet properly too. Gloves, scarf and boots are a must as well as dry warm, dry socks. Layering properly involves three types of clothing. Your first layer should be made of a fabric that will wick your perspiration away from your body and keep you dry. Thermal, or “long,” underwear is generally best for this layer. The second layer is the insulating layer. The purpose of this layer is to trap your body heat. Fabrics such as fleece or wool are generally best for this layer. The third layer is for protection against the weather. This layer should be of a fabric that will repel outside moisture, but still allow your sweat to evaporate.

Warm and Safe Accommodations

If you have power during an emergency, consider inviting family or friends to stay with you until their power is restored. If you lose power and it is possible for you to travel safely, you should consider staying with family or friends who have electricity or you could stay in a designated public shelter.

Take steps to protect your water pipes from freezing. First fill containers with water for drinking

in case you are without power for an extended period. You can also fill a bathtub with water to use for flushing toilets. Then, shut off the water supply to your house by closing the water supply inlet valve. If you are not able to shut off the water coming into your house, you should slightly open all the faucets in the house so that there is a slight trickle of water coming out of the faucets. Flowing water will not freeze as quickly as standing water. If you have a generator you can use it to power electric space heaters, depending on its power output. Prepare in advance and have ready at least ten gallons of gasoline, stored in approved containers. Remember to never operate a generator inside the home or garage.

You can provide heat with fireplaces, propane / kerosene heaters, or wood stoves. Don’t attempt to heat your entire home during the emergency. It will be more efficient and will make your heating fuel supply last longer if you block off rooms that do not need to be heated and stay in one room during the emergency.

Breath Easy

Make sure that they are properly vented and have a battery-operated carbon monoxide (CO) in the room. CO poisoning kills an average of 430 people every year. CO poisoning can result from the use of improperly vented heating equipment or vents that are clogged or leaky. This includes cracked or blocked chimneys. You cannot see or smell CO. Hypothermia and CO poisoning are both sneaky and deadly. The fumes may be fatal before anyone realizes there’s a problem. If you suspect you’ve been exposed to carbon monoxide, get into fresh air immediately and seek emergency medical care.

The two main threats you will face during a winter storm power failure are the cold and the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning. Become familiar with the symptoms of both and seek medical attention as quickly as possible if you notice the symptoms of either condition. The invisible killer, carbon monoxide poisoning, can be especially dangerous for people who are sleeping or intoxicated.

Additional Information

Be aware of the symptoms of hypothermia http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothermia/basics/definition/con-20020453
Guard against CO poisoning http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/carbon-monoxide/basics/definition/con-20025444
Cold weather clothing tips http://www.army.mil/article/66527/Fight_the_Freeze/.
Safe generator operation http://www.redcross.org/news/article/RedCross-Offers-Safety-Steps-for-ExtremeCold.
Safe space heater operation http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/pdf/extreme-cold-guide.pdf.

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not contain Securitas Canada’s complete policy and procedures.

For more information, contact your Securitas Canada supervisor or account manager at www.securitasinc.ca