Sensible suggestions for increased safety at work

When you go to work, don’t leave your crime prevention sense at home. Almost any crime that can happen at home or in your neighborhood can also happen in the workplace. But common-sense prevention skills can help make life at work safer for all.

Here are crime-prevention tips provided by Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station in Calabasas:

Help prevent office theft

and other crimes

•Keep your purse, wallet, keys and other valuable items with you at all times or locked in a drawer or closet.

•Check the identity of any strangers who are in your office. Ask whom they are visiting and if you can help them find that person. If this makes you uncomfortable, inform security or management about your suspicions.

•Always let someone know where you’ll be—whether it’s coming in late, working late, going to the mail room or the photocopier room, going out to lunch or to a meeting.

•If you bring personal items to work, such as a coffee pot, a radio or a calculator, mark them with your name and an identification number.

•Report any flickering or broken lights, dimly lit corridors, doors that don’t lock properly or broken windows. Don’t wait for someone else to do it.

•Be discreet. Don’t advertise your social life or vacation plans and those of your coworkers to people visiting or calling your place of work.

Take a look at

common trouble spots

•Reception area. Is the receptionist equipped with a panic button for emergencies, a camera with a monitor at another desk and a lock on the front door that can be controlled?

•Stairwells and out-of-the-way corridors. Don’t use stairs alone. Talk to the building manager about improving poorly-lit corridors and stairways.

•Elevators. Don’t get into elevators with people who look out of place or who are acting strangely. If you find yourself in a threatening situation, get off as soon as possible.

•Restrooms. Attackers can hide in stalls and corners. Make sure restrooms are locked and that only employees have keys. Be extra cautious when using restrooms that are isolated or poorly lighted.

•After hours. Don’t work late alone. Create a buddy system for walking to parking lots or public transportation or ask security to escort you.

•Parking lots or garages. Choose a well-lit and well-guarded parking garage. Always lock your car and roll up the windows all the way before buckling your belt. If you notice any strangers hanging around the parking lot, notify security or call the police. When you approach your car, have your keys ready. Check the floor and front and back seats before getting in.

Counteracting violence

in the workplace

•Is your office secure? Do you have easy-to-use phone systems with emergency buttons, sign-in policies for visitors, panic buttons, safe rooms, security guards, office access controls, good lighting and safety training?

•Does your employer take care in hiring and firing? Before hiring, are employment gaps, history, references and criminal records thoroughly examined? Are termination procedures defined clearly with attention to advance notice, severance pay and placement services?

•Could you recognize potentially violent employees? Signs of stress that could erupt into violence include depression, frequent absences, talking in a louder-than-normal voice, being startled easily, increased irritability and impatience and concentration and memory problems.

•Are you encouraged to report unusual or worrisome behavior? Is there a clear, written policy that spells out procedures in cases of violence and sanctions for violators? Make sure you know to whom you should report unusual behaviors.

•Do you work in a supportive and harmonious environment? Is there a culture of mutual respect? Does your employer provide an employee assistance program?

For more information, please call Dep. Shawn Brownell at (818) 878-1808, ext.