The holidays are upon us and while everyone is busy with work and personal plans, it pays to take a moment to review safety practices for yourself and loved ones. During seasonal festivities, it is easy to forget that emergencies can happen. When they do, the best way to minimize impact is to be prepared and maintain a security mindset.
A proactive approach to personal safety includes the following:
Remember that holiday sites and shopping areas are ‘soft targets.’
Public places where large numbers of unarmed people gather are particularly vulnerable to bad actors and may attract lone wolf actors who are drawn to unpredictable situations. Stay alert when in these locations.
Prepare to think differently in a crisis.
Understand that you will experience cognitive dissonance. The brain automatically sorts new information (like disaster warnings or gunshots) and categorizes it into known experiences or existing beliefs about safety and normality. Most people have not experienced a crisis and it takes prior planning to recognize cognitive biases when they occur.
Have a plan.
Always look for the closest exit. Take a few brief moments to plan your escape in case an emergency happens – and then plan a back-up route in case Plan A is blocked. If a situation requires immediate action, this prior planning can counteract freezing and equip you to leave the situation ASAP.
Taking time to think about personal security will ensure that you and your family have a safe holiday season.