awareness guide

Personal Security Awareness Guide

TVA Police & emergency mAnAgemenT

Home Security 2Lights and Locks 2Security Systems 3While You’re Away 4

Personal Security 5Security Awareness 5Teach your children 5

Travel Security 7Vehicle Travel 7Share Your Itinerary 8Air Travel 8Travelling Overseas 9Hotel Security 10

Workplace Security 11Workplace Violence 11

Weapons 12On TVA Property 12Pepper Spray 12Firearms 12

emergency Preparedness 13Emergencies at Home 13Emergencies Away from Home 13

AttachmentsChild Safety Checklist 14Firearms Safety Guide 16Workplace Violence Quick Reference 18Emergency Number Guide 20

Contents

TVA POLICE & EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT · PERSONAL SECURITY AWARENESS GUIDE · AUGUST 2014

TVA’s most important resources are its employees. We at TVA Police & Emergency Management work very hard to keep our work environment secure, but we know that security doesn’t stop there. We want TVA employees and their loved ones to maintain good security habits all the time. That’s why we’ve developed this Personal Security Awareness Guide.

Please remember that this document is intended only as a guide. The information contained in these pages is accurate and up-to-date as of the publication date. However, some criminals spend a great deal of time and energy looking for ways to get around our best efforts. For that reason, it’s always a good idea to be aware of current trends. Devices, products, materials and services mentioned in this publication are intended only as examples of what is generally available to consumers. TVA does not endorse or recommend any particular devices, products, materials or services.

TVA POLICE & EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT · PERSONAL SECURITY AWARENESS GUIDE · AUGUST 2014 1

lights and locks Lights and locks are two of the most effective, low cost security measures available.

Always make sure that windows and doors are locked during the night and anytime you are away from your home.

Lights inside the house create the impression that someone is home. Lights outside the house often deter criminals by making them feel like they can be seen. Motion activated lights are recommended for outdoor use.

Always lock garages, garden sheds and other outbuildings.

Change your locks immediately when moving into a new home or if your keys are lost or stolen.

Never leave keys under flowerpots, doormats or other such places. Criminals know this trick, too.


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Security SystemsAre you considering a home security system? There are a variety of options on the market.

Some companies will install and monitor a whole-house system for a monthly fee.

Unmonitored systems can be purchased at most home improvement stores. These

alarms make a loud noise in and around the home when triggered, but no alarm company is notified.

Some systems include additional features such as remote activation.

If you’re considering a security alarm, do your research and determine which is the best option for you.


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While you’re AwayRemember to take proper security precautions while you’re away.

A full mailbox is an indicator that no one is home. Ask a trusted friend or neighbor to collect your mail or visit the USPS website at www.usps.com and request

that your mail be held until you return. You should also ask the neighbor to pick up newspapers or suspend delivery until you return.

If you’ll be gone for more than a few days, arrange to have your grass cut, leaves raked or snow shoveled while you’re away.

Using timers for your electronic devices is another good idea. Having lights and televisions turn on and off regularly creates the impression that someone is home. There are a number of inexpensive options that can be found at your local home improvement store.

If necessary, ask a neighbor to occasionally park in your driveway to create the appearance that someone is coming and going.


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Security Awareness Make security awareness a priority every day.

Avoid distractions and always be aware of your surroundings. Walk with confidence and don’t be afraid to make eye contact. When you’re out after dark, park in well lit places. If you must leave valuable items in your car, lock them in the trunk or put them under the seat. When you’re out shopping, hide your purchases before driving to your next stop. If you wait until you arrive, potential criminals at that location will be able to see where you hide your items.

Teach your children Remember to teach your children good security habits as well.

Young children should seek out uniformed law enforcement or security officers, store employees, or mothers with children if they

find themselves separated from their parent or other adult supervisor in a public place.

It’s common practice to warn children about strangers, but it’s equally important to go into detail about what strangers look like and how they might behave. Strangers don’t always look scary. Sometimes they pretend to need help with a problem such as finding a lost puppy. Sometimes they offer candy or other treats. It’s important to teach children that these are tricks and that they should run away as fast as they can to the nearest safe place/person.

It’s an unfortunate fact that many people who harm children know their victims well enough to secure their trust and secrecy. Children need to know that some things are never ok (and what those things are) no matter who is involved. Teach them that it’s ok to say “no” to an adult in these situations.


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Many children arrive home from school or other activities before their parents get home from work. For these children, it’s important to establish a check-in procedure so that you know your children have arrived safely.

Make sure emergency numbers are posted near the telephone and that your child knows how to use them. An emergency number guide is located at the end of this book.

Teach them to never tell callers that they are home alone.

Make sure they know how to use the door and window locks.

Teach them to never let strangers into the home.

Instruct them to never enter the home if the door is open or if a window is broken. Instead, they should go immediately to a trusted neighbor’s home and contact you from there.

Use the security checklist on pages 14-15 of this book as a guide for teaching your children about good security habits.


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Vehicle Travel Important things to remember when traveling by car include making sure that the vehicle is in good working order. Ensuring that regular maintenance is performed will help prevent breakdowns. Have your vehicle serviced before a long trip.

Consider purchasing a membership to AAA or some other roadside assistance service. If you do, make sure to have that number handy at all times.

Some of these services will respond even if you are a passenger in someone else’s car. Do the research and choose the right option for your needs.

It’s also a good idea to have an emergency kit in the trunk. The kit should include blankets, bottled water and protein bars or some other non-perishable food item. For longer trips, be sure and pack extra doses of required medication.

Never leave valuables such as laptops and other personal electronic devices unattended in your car. If you must leave them in the car briefly during your trip, make sure that they are hidden in the trunk or under a seat. When you reach your destination, take them inside with you.

And always lock your car – even if you only step away for a minute.


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Share your itinerary Whether you’re traveling for work or for personal reasons, it’s important to share your itinerary with a trusted friend or family member.

If you’re traveling by car, make sure someone knows which route you’re taking as well as your departure and arrival times.

If you’re traveling by air, share your flight information.

If you’re staying in a hotel, give someone the name and phone number of the hotel.

Air Travel Air travel can be challenging, especially for those who don’t do it often. Remember to keep your bags with you at all times and never accept bags, packages or anything else from a stranger. If you observe unattended bags or items, notify airport security immediately.

Know that your checked baggage could be subjected to a routine security search. Consider using locks that have been approved by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for your checked baggage. TSA-approved locks have universal master keys that allow TSA employees to open your bags for inspection. Using locks that are not TSA-approved can result in the locks being destroyed during normal security screening.


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Traveling overseasThere are special precautions that you might want to take when traveling overseas.

Consider registering your trip with the U.S. State Department at www.state.gov. You should also check the State Department’s website for travel advisories for every country that you’ll be visiting.

It’s a good idea to locate U.S. consulates and embassies near your destination(s) and write down the addresses and contact number. Keep the hard copy in your purse or wallet but also send the information to yourself in an email.

Make copies of your passport, driver’s license and any other travel or identification documents that you have. Store the copies separate from the originals and email scanned copies to

yourself. If your belongings are stolen, you will only need Internet access to get copies of your documents. That will help you identify yourself to authorities and speed up the process for obtaining new documents.


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Hotel Security Choose hotels where the rooms can only be accessed by an interior hallway.

Avoid the ground floor if possible. These rooms are more easily accessible from outside the hotel. During check-in, ask hotel staff not to say your room number out loud. They should write it down and hand it to you.

Do not leave valuables in a hotel room while you’re away. Many hotel rooms are equipped with small safes. You should use these for any valuables that you cannot carry on your person.

Consider leaving the television on and hanging the Do Not Disturb sign on your doorknob to create the impression that someone is in the room. Housekeeping

won’t be able to clean and restock your room, but you can request fresh towels and other supplies from the front desk after you return from your day’s activities.


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Workplace Violence TVA defines workplace violence as “any act of physical violence, threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening, disruptive or abusive behavior that occurs in or originates from the workplace.”

There are a number of behavioral cues that can signal the potential for violence. They include changes in attitude, attendance problems, declining performance, verbal outbursts, and substance abuse. Refer to the Workplace Violence Awareness Card on pages 18-19 of this manual for more information.

Any act of workplace violence or potential workplace violence should be reported immediately to TVA Police at 1.855.476.2489. In a life-threatening situation, dial 9-1-1 first and then notify TVA Police.


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on TVA PropertyTVA’s Code of Conduct prohibits bringing weapons onto TVA property. TVA SPP 14.100 provides information on other prohibited items.

Pepper Spray Employees are allowed to bring pepper spray onto TVA property in quantities no greater than 2.5 ounces. That’s a small container that fits easily into the palm of your hand.

Firearms Many people purchase firearms as self-defense mechanisms. They can be very

useful, but mishandling a firearm can be dangerous, even deadly. If you aren’t confident using a firearm, you might consider a different means of self-defense. If you do own firearms, make sure that you have the proper permits and that you are trained to use them. Regular practice at a firing range or other appropriate location is always a good idea.

Educate your family about firearms and make sure that yours are stored properly so that children and others cannot easily access them. The Firearms Safety Guide at the back of this manual lists ten basic rules for firearms safety.

Please remember that firearms owners are required to follow all state and local firearms laws.


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emergencies at HomeEmergency drills are commonplace in schools and at most work places, but what about emergencies at home? It’s a very good idea to conduct drills with your family so that everyone has a clear understanding of the appropriate responses to a variety of situations including fires and tornadoes.

For more detailed information on emergency preparedness and response, visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s website at www.fema.gov.

emergencies Away from HomeOften emergencies happen when we’re away from home – parents are at work, children are at school, etc. It’s important to have a plan for coming back together when you’re separated during an emergency.

If you have children in school, familiarize yourself with the school’s emergency policies. It’s only natural to want to get in the car and go get your kids, but in many situations that won’t be an option and making the attempt could do more harm than good. Know in advance what the expectations are and make sure to follow them.

Teenagers and young adults need guidance as well in order to be prepared for emergency situations. If they’re away from home when something happens, their instinct may be to try and get home. It’s a good idea to have different plans for different emergencies, including a rendezvous point for family members if going home isn’t an option.


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n child Safety checklist

Help your children memorize their full names, address and telephone number (including area code). Make sure they know how to make a phone call.

Post your telephone numbers, along with numbers for police and fire departments, trusted neighbors, and your local poison control center near the phones in your home.

Walk around your neighborhood with your children. Show them safe places to go during an emergency such as a neighbor’s house or a nearby business.

Check your neighborhood for danger zones and teach your children to avoid them. Danger zones can include construction sites, empty or abandoned buildings, wooded areas and other places with the potential to threaten the safety of your children.

Teach your children to never accept gifts or rides from people that they do not know.

Teach your children to seek out security officers, store clerks, or mothers with children to ask for help if they become separated from you in shopping malls or other public places. Children should never venture into a parking lot alone.


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Accompany your child to public restrooms.

Teach your children that no one, not even someone that they know and trust, is allowed to touch them in ways that make them uncomfortable. Tell them that they have the right to say “NO” to an adult in this situation.

Ensure that your children are taking the safest routes to school and friends’ houses. Teach them to avoid the danger zones that you’ve identified.

Never hang a house key around your child’s neck. That is an indicator that your child will be home alone.

Teach children to walk confidently and to pay attention to what’s going on around them.

Encourage children to look out for the safety of other children. Teach them to report anything that doesn’t seem right.

Teach your children to avoid strangers who hang around playgrounds, public restrooms, and empty buildings. Teach them to write down license plate numbers and report these things if they observe them.


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eFirearms Safety guide

1. Treat every firearm as if it were loaded.

Even if your safety feature is engaged, remember that it’s a mechanical device and could potentially fail. The most important safety feature of your firearm is you.

2. Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot.

Make it a habit to hold your finger in an extended position alongside the barrel of the firearm until you’re ready to fire.

3. Always keep the muzzle of the firearm pointed in a safe direction.

A safe direction is one in which no one will be harmed if your firearm accidentally discharges.

4. Be sure of your target and know what’s beyond your target.

Know where the bullet will go if you miss your target.

5. Use proper ammunition. Using improper ammunition can cause

a misfire. It’s also important to inspect your ammunition to make sure that it is not damaged. Do not use damaged ammunition.

6. If your firearm fails to fire when the trigger is pulled, handle it cautiously.

Wait several seconds to ensure that the firearm isn’t going to fire then carefully unload the firearm.


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7. Always wear eye and ear protection when shooting.

Continued exposure to the sound of gunfire can permanently damage your hearing and small particles emitted from the barrel pose a danger to your eyes.

8. Be sure that the barrel is clear of obstructions before firing the firearm.

Even a small amount of debris in the barrel can increase the pressure and cause the barrel to bulge or burst when firing.

9. Do not alter or modify your firearm and have it serviced regularly.

Altering the firearm can jeopardize your safety and regular service, provided by a certified armorer for that type of firearm, is necessary to keep the firearm in proper working order.

10. Always unload the firearm when storing it or transferring it to another person.

The safest way to store firearms is unloaded and in a separate location from the ammunition. Transferring a loaded weapon from one person to another increases the chance of an accidental discharge.


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d Have you recently witnessed or experienced any of the following?

• Bullying• Harassment• Intimidation• Threats• Physical altercation if so, please report them to TVA Police at 855.476.2489.

Things at work that could trigger violent behavior include:

• Feeling harassed or intimidated• Being laid off or fired• Requests for help not being taken seriously• Receiving disciplinary action• Being overwhelmed by work or personal issues• Feeling victimized


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The following are behavioral indicators that have the potential to lead to acts of violence:

• Excessivetardinessorabsences• Dramaticchangesinpersonalityorbehavior• Decliningperformance• Needforadditionalsupervision• Signsofstress• Inabilitytoconcentrate• Substanceabuse• Refusaltotakeresponsibility• Unhealthyfascinationwithweapons• Identifyingwiththeperpetratorsofviolence

How can we prevent workplace violence?

• Showconcernifyounoticethatacoworkerisstruggling.Nevershunorgossipaboutthe person.

• Notifyasupervisorifyounoticeinappropriatebehavior.• Supervisorsmustaddressinappropriatebehaviorbeforeitescalates.Referemployeesto

the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Fitness for Duty (FFD) or some other resource.


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e Mom at work

Dad at work

Mom cell phone

Dad cell phone

Emergencies 9-1-1

Poison Control


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For more information about Security Awareness in general or any of the

individual topics covered in this book, please contact TVA Police & Emergency Management at 865.632.4762.


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TVA Police & emergency management 400 West Summit Hill DriveWT 2D-KKnoxville, TN 37902

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