- Email: [email protected]
Planning for your personal safety
Planning for your personal safety Planning for safety is especially important for those in the health care fields. Your hours of duty may be around the clock. Your place of work may be located in any kind of neighborhood. Your uniform sets you apart from others, and you may have to park in remote areas. In addition, you may attend conventions and trade shows outside your own city, such as the 1980 AORN Congress in Atlanta. Chances are that so far you have avoided becoming a victim of street crime. If so, consider yourself lucky. But luck helps only so long. That's why it pays to be smart and plan ahead for your personal safety. Here are some safety tips to help you plan for safety while you attend Congress and when you return home. In a hotel Lock every locking device on your door any time you are in the room. Special locks can be purchased just for this purpose. Know all pertinent emergency telephone numbers within the hotel, as well as the city. Lock all valuables in the hotel's safe de-
Marshall Robinson is a security consultant based in Dallas.
412
posit boxes. Do not flash around large amounts of cash or jewelry. (This is true anywhere.) Be wary of strangers approaching you in the lobby, cocktail lounge, or dining facilities. Never open your door to a stranger. Keep friends and relatives back home informed of your whereabouts and phone number. You and your parked car Install a burglar alarm. If you can't afford one, at least attach an alarm sticker. It could work. Always lock purchases in the trunk. Always lock your car, even when you are away from it for only a short time. When returning to your car, check to see that the lock buttons are still down. Check the back seat area before getting in. At night, shine aflashlight throughout the car. Approach your vehicle day or night by looking in large circles around the vicinity. A criminal could be waiting nearby for your return. Driving your vehicle Drive with all doors locked and windows open only enough to allow ventilation. When waiting alone in a parked car, keep the engine running and the car in gear. This goes for intersections as well. If you have a breakdown at night, stay in the car with all doors locked and windows rolled up. Flash emergency lights and wait for a police officer. Do not hitchhike or accept help from strangers. If someone tries to force you off the road, blow your horn continuously and keep driving-to the nearest public place. Don't get out of your car until you know it's safe.
AORN Journal, February 1980, V o l 3 1 , No 3
In an elevator 0 Stand as close to the controls as possible. 0 If another passenger attacks you-hit as many floor buttons as you can. Every stop the elevator makes is an opportunity for you to scream, escape, or get help. 0 Never walk up or down the stairwells, except in an emergency. This is a favorite hiding place for looters, purse snatchers, robbers, and rapists. Walking at night If your plans call for a risky but avoidable walk, avoid it. 0 Stay away from dimly lit parks, alleys, and shortcuts. 0 Walk with an air of confidence, even if you don't feel confident. 0 Avoid stopping strangers for directions; this is a tip-off to your vulnerability. 0 Keep a flashlight and whistle ready at all times. 0 Walk away from building fronts and doorways. Walking close to the curb gives you more vision and maneuvering space. 0 If you feel you are being followed, cross the street and speed up your pace. If you can't shake your follower, shine your flashlight, blow your whistle, and run to the nearest house or business for help. In public transportation 0 Sit as close to the driver as possible. If you need directions or other information, ask the driver, not your fellow passengers. 0 Have correct change in hand at all times; avoid opening billfolds or purses in front of strangers. 0 Don't get off at a stop that looks suspicious-or with a fellow passenger who looks suspicious. Money 0 Carry as little cash as possible. Make use of credit cards and traveler's checks. 0 Don't carry all your money in the same place. Keep a few dollars and some change in an unusual place for taxi fare or phone calls in an emergency. 0 If possible, get by without a purse. If not, a shoulder-strap type is the safest. Always turn the flap toward your body. Keep your wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket. Keep the wallet as thin as possible. 0 Carry two wallets-your real one and
another one with some expired credit cards and a couple of dollars in it. If a thief demands your wallet, offer him the fake one. 0 Be wary of all types of con games, bar tricks, or any form of gambling. Plan 0 Wherever you go, find out ahead of time what type danger you may face. 0 Look alert, even if you're lost or confused. Criminals seek victims who are off guard. 0 In crowds, be especially watchful of your wallet or purse. 0 Watch strangers carefully. 0 Dress to be able to move quickly. Don't wear confining skirts, long coats, or platform shoes. 0 If you are confronted, keep calm; look for escape. Get a good description. If your life is in danger and opportunity presents itself, attack.
Marshall Robinson
Badges required Congress badges will be requirgd for admission to all Congress sessions, AORN functions, the exhibit area, and exhibitor hospitality suites. The badges must be worn at all times. Badges are obtained at registration and are for use during the entire week of Congress unless otherwise noted. Only Congress registrants may attend official Congress functions and exhibitor hospitality suites. Registered Congress attendees are requested not to ask exhibitors to admit nonregistered friends or spouses.
Credentials Committee meets Sunday The AORN Credentials Committee will meet from 3:45 to 5 3 0 pm Sunday, March 9, in Room 214, the Parliamentarian's office, on the second level of the Congress Center. The Committee will meet with chairmen of delegations or chapter presidents whose delegate information did not reach Headquarters before the deadline.
AORN Journal, February 1980,Vo131,NO 3
413
Marshall Robinson is a security consultant based in Dallas.
412
posit boxes. Do not flash around large amounts of cash or jewelry. (This is true anywhere.) Be wary of strangers approaching you in the lobby, cocktail lounge, or dining facilities. Never open your door to a stranger. Keep friends and relatives back home informed of your whereabouts and phone number. You and your parked car Install a burglar alarm. If you can't afford one, at least attach an alarm sticker. It could work. Always lock purchases in the trunk. Always lock your car, even when you are away from it for only a short time. When returning to your car, check to see that the lock buttons are still down. Check the back seat area before getting in. At night, shine aflashlight throughout the car. Approach your vehicle day or night by looking in large circles around the vicinity. A criminal could be waiting nearby for your return. Driving your vehicle Drive with all doors locked and windows open only enough to allow ventilation. When waiting alone in a parked car, keep the engine running and the car in gear. This goes for intersections as well. If you have a breakdown at night, stay in the car with all doors locked and windows rolled up. Flash emergency lights and wait for a police officer. Do not hitchhike or accept help from strangers. If someone tries to force you off the road, blow your horn continuously and keep driving-to the nearest public place. Don't get out of your car until you know it's safe.
AORN Journal, February 1980, V o l 3 1 , No 3
In an elevator 0 Stand as close to the controls as possible. 0 If another passenger attacks you-hit as many floor buttons as you can. Every stop the elevator makes is an opportunity for you to scream, escape, or get help. 0 Never walk up or down the stairwells, except in an emergency. This is a favorite hiding place for looters, purse snatchers, robbers, and rapists. Walking at night If your plans call for a risky but avoidable walk, avoid it. 0 Stay away from dimly lit parks, alleys, and shortcuts. 0 Walk with an air of confidence, even if you don't feel confident. 0 Avoid stopping strangers for directions; this is a tip-off to your vulnerability. 0 Keep a flashlight and whistle ready at all times. 0 Walk away from building fronts and doorways. Walking close to the curb gives you more vision and maneuvering space. 0 If you feel you are being followed, cross the street and speed up your pace. If you can't shake your follower, shine your flashlight, blow your whistle, and run to the nearest house or business for help. In public transportation 0 Sit as close to the driver as possible. If you need directions or other information, ask the driver, not your fellow passengers. 0 Have correct change in hand at all times; avoid opening billfolds or purses in front of strangers. 0 Don't get off at a stop that looks suspicious-or with a fellow passenger who looks suspicious. Money 0 Carry as little cash as possible. Make use of credit cards and traveler's checks. 0 Don't carry all your money in the same place. Keep a few dollars and some change in an unusual place for taxi fare or phone calls in an emergency. 0 If possible, get by without a purse. If not, a shoulder-strap type is the safest. Always turn the flap toward your body. Keep your wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket. Keep the wallet as thin as possible. 0 Carry two wallets-your real one and
another one with some expired credit cards and a couple of dollars in it. If a thief demands your wallet, offer him the fake one. 0 Be wary of all types of con games, bar tricks, or any form of gambling. Plan 0 Wherever you go, find out ahead of time what type danger you may face. 0 Look alert, even if you're lost or confused. Criminals seek victims who are off guard. 0 In crowds, be especially watchful of your wallet or purse. 0 Watch strangers carefully. 0 Dress to be able to move quickly. Don't wear confining skirts, long coats, or platform shoes. 0 If you are confronted, keep calm; look for escape. Get a good description. If your life is in danger and opportunity presents itself, attack.
Marshall Robinson
Badges required Congress badges will be requirgd for admission to all Congress sessions, AORN functions, the exhibit area, and exhibitor hospitality suites. The badges must be worn at all times. Badges are obtained at registration and are for use during the entire week of Congress unless otherwise noted. Only Congress registrants may attend official Congress functions and exhibitor hospitality suites. Registered Congress attendees are requested not to ask exhibitors to admit nonregistered friends or spouses.
Credentials Committee meets Sunday The AORN Credentials Committee will meet from 3:45 to 5 3 0 pm Sunday, March 9, in Room 214, the Parliamentarian's office, on the second level of the Congress Center. The Committee will meet with chairmen of delegations or chapter presidents whose delegate information did not reach Headquarters before the deadline.
AORN Journal, February 1980,Vo131,NO 3
413