There is no way around it, the life of a security guard is tough, and it can be dangerous. Though there are plenty of rewarding aspects of working in the security industry, it’s fair to say it has its risks. Today we are going to discuss our top 5 tips on staying safe and avoiding potentially hazardous situations whilst you are on duty.
Dress for the occasion
Starting with the obvious first, as a security officer you will be required to work in the rain, snow, mud or even thunderstorms. Make sure you have the right gear for the job. Thermals are a must have if you feel the cold, particularly if you don’t want to restrict movements with a large jacket. If you can’t commit your hands to your jacket pockets, fingerless gloves are always helpful. Further to this, try to find flexible clothing options. As the British weather can only really be described as unpredictable, make sure you are preparing for potential weather changes. Keeping a small umbrella on your person or a coat with a zip away hood will keep the rain off you. Or taking light jumpers/fleeces in the summertime will prepare you for changes in temperature.
When you work in brutal weather conditions, it can seriously affect your health if the proper precautions aren’t taken.
Check your gear
It doesn’t matter what shift you’re working, or how much equipment you will be relying on. Make sure you are checking all the equipment you will be using before you start. If you suspect any faults it needs to be reported before you go on duty. It will also benefit you greatly to come prepared with spare equipment or batteries on shift to ensure you are fully prepared for any gear failure.
Use support
You should never be alone on a job. You may be the only security guard on shift, but if that is the case, you should make sure you have access to a radio, CCTV or an alarm system. It also doesn’t hurt to make sure you have a full battery on your personal phone with the relevant contacts on it. If you are working alone on a job which may have potential for difficulties or may attract troublemakers, the evident presence of security gear will certainly deter these issues. However, it’s always a great idea to have another security officer with you on duty, they are known to make great conversation!
Take in your surroundings
If you are starting a job on a new site, or the environment you patrol has changed. Take a walk around and familiarise yourself with the area you are working in. In a high pressure situation the last thing you need to be dealing with is getting lost or being unsure of your location. If you are working on a construction site, you can scout the area so you can take note of any potential hazards.
Be conscious of your patrol route
Having a predictable route on patrol can be an easy habit to fall into, but this can create a hazardous environment for you. Vary your route, change the areas you patrol and when you do it. This will insure that you catch any potential criminals off guard, instead of them catching you.
When patrolling, regularly stop, look and listen. It’s very easy to become accustomed to the sound of your footsteps or the surrounding sights. Take regular patrol pauses to insure you are taking in all the surrounding information.
It’s important to know your limits as a security professional, but it’s also important to feel as comfortable and prepared as possible for your shifts. We know that there may be dangerous parts of the job, but we hope some of these tips will remind you to be safe and look after yourself.
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