ABM SECURITY SERVICES 1440 Regal Row Bld. #200 Dallas, Texas 75247 214-267-5600
RESIDENTIAL SAFETY TIPS Have lights at all entrances. Have a wide-angle door viewer on all exterior doors. Have good locks on all doors and windows and use them! Do not prop entrance/exit doors open. Do not leave your residence unlocked even just if you leave momentarily. Do not use your full name on your mailbox, on an entrance telephone directory, or on your answering machine. Don t hide extra keys in easily accessible places as criminals can find them. Check who is at the door before opening it, and do not open the door to an unexpected visitor. Do not let strangers into your residence to use the telephone. Offer to make the call for them. Ask for photo identification of all repair persons. If you are suspicious, call to verify employment or simply call the Police. Never give personal information to telephone solicitors. Be suspicious of unknown persons loitering in the area of your residence. Always feel free to call the Police. Know which of your neighbors you can trust and depend upon in an emergency. Invest in home insurance for your valuables.
BUILDING AND OFFICE SAFETY TIPS General Doors Valuables should never be left unattended because your possessions can disappear very quickly. Many thefts are simply thefts of opportunity, so do not leave your identification, wallet, purse, laptop, or other valuables in open view. If you must leave your purse or wallet in your work area, lock it in a locker or desk. Do not leave it with your coat on a coat rack. Ensure that the reception area is arranged so that it is difficult for anyone to access inner office areas without first passing by the receptionist. Have staff members come to the front and escort visitors back to the proper areas. Do not allow strangers to wander your office areas alone. Take ownership of your work area. If you detect unknown person(s) within your work area, ask them who they are looking for, or if you can help them. Never assume a stranger wandering around is a staff member. Challenge him/her with: Can I help you? If you do not like the response you get, notify Security, Building Management or Police as per office procedure. Never allow anyone to remove office equipment without confirming the approval of such. If a stranger is from a company servicing your equipment, confirm such with someone of authority. Always lock your office door when you are absent, even if only for a few minutes. Never compromise your security for a colleague who asks you to leave the door unlocked. Always try the door before you leave to ensure that it is locked properly. assume that it is. Never If your area contains expensive equipment or valuable information, consider the strength of your door against being forced open. Additional door security hardware reduces the risk of forced entry. Do not post vacation times or itineraries on your door.
Windows Always keep your windows locked when you are absent. Use window curtains or blinds to conceal the contents. If possible, move valuables to a less visible location. Easily accessible windows create an additional security risk. Consider enhancing your window security by installing additional physical protection such as glass security film or security grills if your window is accessible from the outside. Locks and Keys Cash Deadbolt locks offer the best protection. Do not lend keys or leave keys where they can be stolen. Immediately report all lost or stolen keys as per procedure. Building Directors / Area Access Managers must keep a record of the key distribution. Key duplication should be kept to a minimum. If a large number of duplicate keys need to be issued, consider a card reader system instead. If you move to a new area, have a change in staff or lose keys, consider having the area re-keyed for your own security. Limit access to a safe or key/combination locked compartment where the money is kept. Prevent people from seeing where the cash is kept when reimbursing expenditures. Memorize the combination of the safe. If you write it down as a back-up, secure the combination in a separate location. If your cash box is secured with a key, store the key in a secured location. Always lock up and take the key with you when leaving the area temporarily. Establish maximum float (e.g. $200.00) and deposit excess funds. Do not keep money for deposit over the weekend. Keep a current account of the funds so you know how much money you are supposed to have at any one time. Count the funds at the end of each day.
During Silent Hours Elevators Libraries Do not let strangers into the building. Remember, as an access card or key holder, you are responsible not only for your own safety, but also the safety of your coworkers. Ask the person to use her own key or access card. If you do not like the response you get, notify Security and/or Police immediately. Never prop open doors to locked buildings. If you find a door that is propped open, remove the obstruction. Avoid isolated corridors or hallways. Be extra careful in stairwells and isolated or poorly-lighted restrooms. When entering a room, if you sense something wrong, back off. Return to the safety of your office and call for assistance. Avoid entering an elevator that is occupied by only one other person who is a stranger. In an elevator, stand near the controls and locate the emergency button. If you are assaulted while in an elevator, hit the emergency or alarm button and press as many floor buttons as possible. Do not leave personal property unattended, even for a minute. Backpacks and laptops are favorites for thieves. Keep your personal property in view at all times. Thieves need only a few seconds of your inattention or distraction. Athletic Facilities Secure all personal property in a locker. Invest in a good quality lock. Avoid carrying large sums of money or valuables with you to the facility. Report suspicious people hanging around the locker room to the reception desk.
STREET SAFETY TIPS Never hitchhike! It s not worth the risk! Be very careful using outside ATMs at night or in unfamiliar surroundings. When walking, walk in the middle of the sidewalk and walk facing oncoming traffic. Try not to overload yourself with packages or other items. Keep your hands as free as possible. Do not wear music headphones while walking or jogging. Do not read while walking or standing on a sidewalk. If you carry a purse, carry it close to your body, preferable in front. Carry no more money or credit cards than you absolutely need. If you wear a purse with a shoulder strap, be prepared to let go if snatched. Otherwise you could be knocked down and hurt. Avoid being on the street alone if you are upset or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Know your surroundings and do not be reluctant to report illegal activities and suspicious loitering. Study the neighborhood with respect to routes between your activities. Know where emergency phones are located. Remain aware of your surroundings, whether alone or with a companion. Make use of your senses; listen for footsteps and voices and take note of other people in the area. Be aware that your shoes and clothing may hinder an escape. Think of what to do in case of an attack (e.g. kick off high-heeled shoes). Remember: Avoid traveling alone. Avoid shortcuts.
VEHICLE SAFETY TIPS Motor Vehicle Keep your car in good working order and the gas tank at least half full. When you approach your parked vehicle, visually check the area around the vehicle for any suspicious persons or activity. If you observe anything suspicious walk to where there are other people and call the police. Always park in visible, well lit areas. If you drive a car, attempt to avoid parking next to a larger pickup truck or van. They can be easy to hide behind. Have your keys ready when approaching your vehicle to reduce the time needed to enter. When operating your vehicle, keep the doors locked and the windows rolled up. Drive with all the doors locked. Any valuables in your car should be placed in the trunk or otherwise kept out of sight. Consider the installation of an anti-theft device (alarm system, disable ignition switch, or fuel kill switch). These systems will deter and make it hard for the thief to steal your vehicle. Also, consider locking the steering wheel with The Club or a similar device. Exercise extra caution when using underground and enclosed parking garages. Try not to go alone. When stopped at traffic lights or in traffic, allow space between you and the vehicle in front of you so you can drive away if necessary. If someone approaches your vehicle and attempts to enter, blow your horn to attract attention and drive away. Do not pick up hitchhikers! Do not open your window if someone approaches your vehicle to ask for directions, the time, etc. Keep the door locked. Never leave house keys attached to car keys at service stations or parking facilities.
Do not stop for a stranded motorist. Instead, call the police for assistance. If you have a flat tire, drive on it until you reach a safe, well it and well traveled area. If your vehicle becomes disabled and help is not immediately available, raise the hood of the vehicle (if you can safely do so), attach a handkerchief to the door handle, and then stay in the vehicle with the doors locked and the windows up. Activate your hazard or parking lights. If someone stops to assist you, ask him or her through the closed window to call the police. If you can afford to have one, take a cellular telephone with you when driving. If you are being followed, don t drive home. Go to the nearest police or fire station and honk your horn. Or drive to an open gas station or other business where you can safely call the police. Don t leave your car unless you are certain you can get inside the building safely. Carry in your car: a flashlight, fix-a-flat, maps, cellular phone, comfortable warm clothing, a portable fire extinguisher, first aid kit, empty gas can and a white cloth to tie to the door handle or antenna to signal distress. If you are driving somewhere you are not familiar with, plan your route and check a map before you start out. Public Transportation Beware of conversations. Don t tell anyone on a bus or subway where you are going. Stay awake and alert. Have exact change ready. Sit as close to the driver as possible. If you sense someone is following you when you get off, walk toward other people or to an open business.
LAPTOP SECURITY TIPS Lock it up and keep it out of sight: Never leave a laptop computer in an unlocked office or in plain view inside an automobile. Never leave your laptop unattended even for a few minutes! Do not place your laptop near exterior windows where it can be subjected to a smash and grab type of theft. Consider investing in a workstation-locking device. If you must leave your laptop in a car, lock it in the trunk. In sport utility vehicles, station wagons and vans, safeguard it out of sight. Us an inconspicuous carrying case for storing and transporting laptops. Cases are now designed to look like backpacks, briefcases, even handbags in which you can conceal your laptop. Store shipments of new or unassigned laptops in locked closets or rooms with controlled access and no false ceilings or partial walls. Help trace it: Engrave your name/id or the organization s name/id on your laptop(s). Record the laptop s identification number and keep it in a safe place. Consider investing in tracking software. Some companies guarantee to trace and recover your stolen computer within thirty days or refund you a set financial amount.
Cyber Security Safety Tips Keep A Clean Machine. Keep security software current: Having the latest security software, web browser, and operating system are the best defenses against viruses, malware, and other online threats. Automate software updates: Many software programs will automatically connect and update to defend against known risks. Turn on automatic updates if that s an available option. Protect all devices that connect to the Internet: Along with computers, smart phones, gaming systems, and other web-enabled devices also need protection from viruses and malware. Plug & scan: USBs and other external devices can be infected by viruses and malware. Use your security software to scan them. Protect Your Personal Information. Secure your accounts: Ask for protection beyond passwords. Many account providers now offer additional ways for you verify who you are before you conduct business on that site. Make passwords long and strong: Combine capital and lowercase letters with numbers and symbols to create a more secure password. Unique account, unique password: Separate passwords for every account helps to thwart cybercriminals. Write it down and keep it safe: Everyone can forget a password. Keep a list that s stored in a safe, secure place away from your computer. Own your online presence: When available, set the privacy and security settings on websites to your comfort level for information sharing. It s ok to limit who you share information with.
Cyber Security Safety Tips, continued -Connect With Care. When in doubt, throw it out: Links in email, tweets, posts, and online advertising are often the way cybercriminals compromise your computer. If it looks suspicious, even if you know the source, it s best to delete or if appropriate, mark as junk email. Get savvy about Wi-Fi hotspots: Limit the type of business you conduct and adjust the security settings on your device to limit who can access your machine. Protect your $$: When banking and shopping, check to be sure the sites is security enabled. Look for web addresses with https:// or shttp://, which means the site takes extra measures to help secure your information. Http:// is not secure. Be Web Wise. Stay current. Keep pace with new ways to stay safe online: Check trusted websites for the latest information, and share with friends, family, and colleagues and encourage them to be web wise. Think before you act: Be wary of communications that implores you to act immediately, offers something that sounds too good to be true, or asks for personal information. Back it up: Protect your valuable work, music, photos, and other digital information by making an electronic copy and storing it safely. Be a Good Online Citizen. Safer for me more secure for all: What you do online has the potential to affect everyone at home, at work and around the world. Practicing good online habits benefits the global digital community. Post only about others as you have them post about you. Help the authorities fight cyber crime: Report stolen finances or identities and other cybercrime to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov) and to your local law enforcement or state attorney general as appropriate. Practice STOP. THINK. CONNECT- and encourage others to do it as well this holiday season and beyond.