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Holiday Safety Tips

Keep Yourself and Your Workplace Safe during the Holidays

Decorating around the workplace is the perfect way to get everyone excited about the holidays together. Remember that the same safety rules that you follow at home also apply to the office.

Don't put nails, staples, or pushpins through a strand of holiday lights! Also remember to not connect too many strands of lights together; you run the risk of overheating sockets and blowing a fuse — or possibly starting a small fire.

When leaving work, be sure to turn off ALL lights. Don't leave anything on!

Keep holiday decorations out of the way of paths or other trafficked areas in the office. This will reduce the risk of trips and falls. Make sure no decorations are blocking emergency exits or sprinklers.

For our office party or out of office parties, please make sure that everyone is informed on the responsibility that comes with drinking, and arrange designated drivers. This is a good idea no matter where your office party will be held. Follow these simple rules and your office holiday party should be merry and bright!

By following a few simple safety tips, it's easy to enjoy festive holiday decorations and events at work without having to deal with injuries or damage to property. When preparing to enjoy the holiday season at work, simply incorporate proper workplace holiday safety precautions into the planning process. You'll be on your way to a holiday season that will be remembered as one that is both enjoyable and safe.

Outside of the office we want you to be safe as well.

Awareness: Your first line of defense. Most people think of kicks to the groin and blocking punches when they hear the term "self-defense." However, true self-defense begins long before any actual physical contact. The first, and probably most important, component in self-defense is awareness: awareness of yourself, your surroundings, and your potential attacker's likely strategies.

Use your sixth sense. "Sixth Sense." "Gut instinct." Whatever you call it, your intuition is a powerful subconscious insight into situations and people. All of us, especially women, have this gift, but very few of us pay attention to it. Learn to trust this power and use it to your full advantage. Avoid a person or a situation which does not "feel" safe—you're probably right.

Escape: Always your best option. What if the unthinkable happens? You are suddenly confronted by a predator who demands that you go with them—be it in a car, or into an alley, or a building. It would seem prudent to obey, but you must never leave the primary crime scene. You are far more likely to be killed or seriously injured if you go with the predator than if you run away (even if he promises not to hurt you). Run away, yell for help, throw a rock through a store or car window—do whatever you can to attract attention. And if the criminal is after your purse or other material items, throw them one way while you run the other.

Your right to fight. Unfortunately, no matter how diligently we practice awareness and avoidance techniques, we may find ourselves in a physical confrontation. Whether or not you have self-defense training, and no matter what your age or physical condition, it is important to understand that you CAN and SHOULD defend yourself physically. You have both the moral and legal right to do so, even if the attacker is only threatening you and hasn't struck first. Many women worry that they will anger the attacker and get hurt worse if they defend themselves, but statistics clearly show that your odds of survival are far greater if you do fight back. Aim for their eyes first and the groin second. Remember, though, to use the element of surprise to your advantage—strike quickly, and mean business. You may only get one chance.

Pepper spray: Pros and cons. Pepper spray, like other self-defense aids, can be a useful tool. However, it is important to understand that there can be significant drawbacks to its use. For example, did you know that it doesn't work on everyone? Surprisingly, 15-20% of people will not be incapacitated even by a full-face spray. Also, if you're carrying it in your purse, you will only waste time and alert the attacker your intentions while you fumble for it. Never depend on any self-defense tool or weapon to stop an attacker. Trust your body and your wits, which you can always depend on in the event of an attack.