Working Late? Keep in Mind These Security Tips

Working late into the night or on the weekends is a common aspect of many jobs. And with days getting shorter, chances are you may often get to work or leave work when it’s dark outside. In these situations, it’s important to take precautions. What can you do to protect yourself? Below are some security tips to help keep you safe after hours.

Communicate your plans.
Let your family, your boss, and security personnel know that you will be working late. You can often ask security staff to check on you periodically. Then, keep in contact with your family, calling every so often while you’re working. And when you leave the building, it’s important to tell your family and security personnel when you have safely left.

Remain visible.
If possible, arrange to work late when others are also working late so that you’re not alone. Before all of your co-workers leave, check to make sure all the doors are locked and no one is in the storage areas or restrooms. If you do have to work alone, try to stay in the main, well-lit areas of the building, avoiding stairways, back alleys, and other less traveled areas of the facility. If possible, try to keep the lights on throughout the building, not just in your workspace, so as to deter criminals and so that you can better see if someone is approaching your area. Keep your cell phone with you at all times. It’s a good idea to stay in an area or move your workspace to an area that can be seen by the company’s security system and surveillance cameras. Before it gets dark, move your vehicle close to the building in a well-lit area that isn’t visibly blocked by trees or shrubs.

Be aware of your surroundings.
Notify security or the police if at any time you see something suspicious inside or outside the building. If there are security personnel on staff, ask them to escort you to your car when you leave. When you leave, have your vehicle keys ready to unlock your door. Be careful to check inside and around the outside of your vehicle for anyone who could be hiding. A small flashlight can be helpful for checking under and around your car. Lock your door immediately after you get inside the vehicle. Avoid carrying a lot of packages or bags to your car at night so as to keep your hands as free as possible in the event of an emergency. If you plan on working late but usually dress up for work, it may be helpful to change before you leave, wearing clothing and footwear that would allow you to easily run away in an emergency. You might also avoid wearing expensive or flashy jewelry that could attract attention from robbers.

Criminals can often prey on a person’s predictability, so it’s good to occasionally vary when you arrive at and leave work and the routes you take to and from work. You should, however, always take routes along main roadways, not traveling in isolated areas, especially after dark.

Keep these few safety and security tips in mind as you work late this fall and winter. To ensure that your employees are always safe after hours, make sure your Tulsa or OKC security system is up-to-date and working properly. Mac Systems in Tulsa and Oklahoma City can design, install, and maintain the right security system for your facility, giving you and your employees peace of mind, especially when working after hours.