Awareness Guide

Personal Security
Awareness Guide
TVA Police & Emergency Management

Home Security 2
Lights and Locks 2
Security Systems 3
While You’re Away 4
Personal Security 5
Security Awareness 5
Teach your children 5
Travel Security 7
Vehicle Travel 7
Share Your Itinerary 8
Air Travel 8
Travelling Overseas 9
Hotel Security 10
Workplace Security 11
Workplace Violence 11
Weapons 12
On TVA Property 12
Pepper Spray 12
Firearms 12
Emergency Preparedness 13
Emergencies at Home 13
Emergencies Away from Home 13
Attachments
Child Safety Checklist 14
Firearms Safety Guide 16
Workplace Violence Quick Reference 18
Emergency Number Guide 20
Contents
TVA POLICE & EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT · PERSONAL SECURITY AWARENESS GUIDE · AUGUST 2014

TVA’s most important resources are its employees. We at TVA
Police & Emergency Management work very hard to keep our
work environment secure, but we know that security doesn’t
stop there. We want TVA employees and their loved ones to
maintain good security habits all the time. That’s why we’ve
developed this Personal Security Awareness Guide.
Please remember that this document is intended only as a guide. The information
contained in these pages is accurate and up-to-date as of the publication date. However,
some criminals spend a great deal of time and energy looking for ways to get around our
best efforts. For that reason, it’s always a good idea to be aware of current trends.
Devices, products, materials and services mentioned in this publication are intended
only as examples of what is generally available to consumers. TVA does not endorse or
recommend any particular devices, products, materials or services.
TVA POLICE & EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT · PERSONAL SECURITY AWARENESS GUIDE · AUGUST 2014 1

Lights and Locks
Lights and locks are two of the most
effective, low cost security measures
available.
Always make sure that windows and doors
are locked during the night and anytime
you are away from your home.
Lights inside the house create the
impression that someone is home. Lights
outside the house often deter criminals by
making them feel like they can be seen.
Motion activated lights are recommended
for outdoor use.
Always lock garages, garden sheds and
other outbuildings.
Change your locks immediately when
moving into a new home or if your keys are
lost or stolen.
Never leave keys under flowerpots,
doormats or other such places. Criminals
know this trick, too.
HomeSecurity
HomeSecurity

Security Systems
Are you considering a home security
system? There are a variety of options on
the market.
Some companies will install and monitor a
whole-house system for a monthly fee.
Unmonitored systems can be purchased
at most home improvement stores. These
alarms make a loud noise in and around
the home when triggered, but no alarm
company is notified.
Some systems include additional features
such as remote activation.
If you’re considering a security alarm, do
your research and determine which is the
best option for you.
HomeSecurity
HomeSecurity

While You’re Away
Remember to take proper security
precautions while you’re away.
A full mailbox is an indicator that no one
is home. Ask a trusted friend or neighbor
to collect your mail or visit the USPS
website at www.usps.com and request
that your mail be held until you return. You
should also ask the neighbor to pick up
newspapers or suspend delivery until you
return.
If you’ll be gone for more than a few days,
arrange to have your grass cut, leaves
raked or snow shoveled while you’re away.
Using timers for your electronic devices
is another good idea. Having lights and
televisions turn on and off regularly creates
the impression that someone is home.
There are a number of inexpensive options
that can be found at your local home
improvement store.
If necessary, ask a neighbor to
occasionally park in your driveway to
create the appearance that someone is
coming and going.
HomeSecurity
HomeSecurity

Security Awareness
Make security awareness a priority every day.
Avoid distractions and always be aware of
your surroundings. Walk with confidence
and don’t be afraid to make eye contact.
When you’re out after dark, park in well lit
places. If you must leave valuable items in
your car, lock them in the trunk or put them
under the seat. When you’re out shopping,
hide your purchases before driving to
your next stop. If you wait until you arrive,
potential criminals at that location will be
able to see where you hide your items.
Teach Your Children
Remember to teach your children good
security habits as well.
Young children should seek out uniformed
law enforcement or security officers, store
employees, or mothers with children if they
find themselves separated from their parent
or other adult supervisor in a public place.
It’s common practice to warn children about
strangers, but it’s equally important to go
into detail about what strangers look like
and how they might behave. Strangers
don’t always look scary. Sometimes they
pretend to need help with a problem such
as finding a lost puppy. Sometimes they
offer candy or other treats. It’s important to
teach children that these are tricks and that
they should run away as fast as they can to
the nearest safe place/person.
It’s an unfortunate fact that many people
who harm children know their victims well
enough to secure their trust and secrecy.
Children need to know that some things
are never ok (and what those things are) no
matter who is involved. Teach them that it’s
ok to say “no” to an adult in these situations.
PersonalSecurity
PersonalSecurity

Many children arrive home from school
or other activities before their parents
get home from work. For these children,
it’s important to establish a check-in
procedure so that you know your children
have arrived safely.
Make sure emergency numbers are posted
near the telephone and that your child
knows how to use them. An emergency
number guide is located at the end of this
book.
Teach them to never tell callers that they
are home alone.
Make sure they know how to use the door
and window locks.
Teach them to never let strangers into the
home.
Instruct them to never enter the home if
the door is open or if a window is broken.
Instead, they should go immediately to a
trusted neighbor’s home and contact you
from there.
Use the security checklist on pages 14-15
of this book as a guide for teaching your
children about good security habits.
PersonalSecurity
PersonalSecurity

Vehicle Travel
Important things to remember when traveling
by car include making sure that the vehicle is
in good working order. Ensuring that regular
maintenance is performed will help prevent
breakdowns. Have your vehicle serviced
before a long trip.
Consider purchasing a membership to AAA
or some other roadside assistance service.
If you do, make sure to have that number
handy at all times.
Some of these services will respond even
if you are a passenger in someone else’s
car. Do the research and choose the right
option for your needs.
It’s also a good idea to have an emergency
kit in the trunk. The kit should include
blankets, bottled water and protein bars or
some other non-perishable food item. For
longer trips, be sure and pack extra doses
of required medication.
Never leave valuables such as laptops
and other personal electronic devices
unattended in your car. If you must leave
them in the car briefly during your trip,
make sure that they are hidden in the trunk
or under a seat. When you reach your
destination, take them inside with you.
And always lock your car – even if you only
step away for a minute.
TravelSecurity
TravelSecurity

Share Your Itinerary
Whether you’re traveling for work or for
personal reasons, it’s important to share
your itinerary with a trusted friend or family
member.
If you’re traveling by car, make sure
someone knows which route you’re taking
as well as your departure and arrival times.
If you’re traveling by air, share your flight
information.
If you’re staying in a hotel, give someone
the name and phone number of the hotel.
Air Travel
Air travel can be challenging, especially for
those who don’t do it often. Remember to
keep your bags with you at all times and
never accept bags, packages or anything
else from a stranger. If you observe
unattended bags or items, notify airport
security immediately.
Know that your checked baggage
could be subjected to a routine security
search. Consider using locks that have
been approved by the Transportation
Security Administration (TSA) for your
checked baggage. TSA-approved locks
have universal master keys that allow
TSA employees to open your bags for
inspection. Using locks that are not TSA-
approved can result in the locks being
destroyed during normal security screening.
TravelSecurity
TravelSecurity

Traveling Overseas
There are special precautions that
you might want to take when traveling
overseas.
Consider registering your trip with the U.S.
State Department at www.state.gov. You
should also check the State Department’s
website for travel advisories for every
country that you’ll be visiting.
It’s a good idea to locate U.S. consulates
and embassies near your destination(s)
and write down the addresses and contact
number. Keep the hard copy in your purse
or wallet but also send the information to
yourself in an email.
Make copies of your passport,
driver’s license and any other travel or
identification documents that you have.
Store the copies separate from the
originals and email scanned copies to
yourself. If your belongings are stolen,
you will only need Internet access to get
copies of your documents. That will help
you identify yourself to authorities and
speed up the process for obtaining new
documents.
TravelSecurity
TravelSecurity

Hotel Security
Choose hotels where the rooms can only
be accessed by an interior hallway.
Avoid the ground floor if possible. These
rooms are more easily accessible from
outside the hotel.
During check-in, ask hotel staff not to say
your room number out loud. They should
write it down and hand it to you.
Do not leave valuables in a hotel room
while you’re away. Many hotel rooms are
equipped with small safes. You should use
these for any valuables that you cannot
carry on your person.
Consider leaving the television on and
hanging the Do Not Disturb sign on your
doorknob to create the impression that
someone is in the room. Housekeeping
won’t be able to clean and restock your
room, but you can request fresh towels and
other supplies from the front desk after you
return from your day’s activities.
TravelSecurity
TravelSecurity

Workplace Violence
TVA defines workplace violence as “any
act of physical violence, threat of physical
violence, harassment, intimidation, or
other threatening, disruptive or abusive
behavior that occurs in or originates from
the workplace.”
There are a number of behavioral cues that
can signal the potential for violence. They
include changes in attitude, attendance
problems, declining performance, verbal
outbursts, and substance abuse. Refer to
the Workplace Violence Awareness Card
on pages 18-19 of this manual for more
information.
Any act of workplace violence or
potential workplace violence should be
reported immediately to TVA Police at
1.855.476.2489. In a life-threatening
situation, dial 9-1-1 first and then notify
TVA Police.
WorkplaceSecurity
WorkplaceSecurity

On TVA Property
TVA’s Code of Conduct prohibits bringing
weapons onto TVA property. TVA SPP
14.100 provides information on other
prohibited items.
Pepper Spray
Employees are allowed
to bring pepper spray
onto TVA property in
quantities no greater
than 2.5 ounces. That’s
a small container that
fits easily into the palm
of your hand.
Firearms
Many people purchase firearms as self-
defense mechanisms. They can be very
useful, but mishandling a firearm can
be dangerous, even deadly. If you aren’t
confident using a firearm, you might
consider a different means of self-defense.
If you do own firearms, make sure that you
have the proper permits and that you are
trained to use them. Regular practice at a
firing range or other appropriate location is
always a good idea.
Educate your family about firearms and
make sure that yours are stored properly
so that children and others cannot easily
access them. The Firearms Safety Guide at
the back of this manual lists ten basic rules
for firearms safety.
Please remember that firearms owners
are required to follow all state and local
firearms laws.
Weapons
Weapons

Emergencies at Home
Emergency drills are commonplace in
schools and at most work places, but what
about emergencies at home? It’s a very
good idea to conduct drills with your family
so that everyone has a clear understanding
of the appropriate responses to a variety of
situations including fires and tornadoes.
For more detailed information on
emergency preparedness and response,
visit the Federal Emergency Management
Agency’s website at www.fema.gov.
Emergencies Away from Home
Often emergencies happen when we’re
away from home – parents are at work,
children are at school, etc. It’s important
to have a plan for coming back together
when you’re separated during an
emergency.
If you have children in school, familiarize
yourself with the school’s emergency
policies. It’s only natural to want to get in
the car and go get your kids, but in many
situations that won’t be an option and
making the attempt could do more harm
than good. Know in advance what the
expectations are and make sure to follow
them.
Teenagers and young adults need
guidance as well in order to be prepared
for emergency situations. If they’re away
from home when something happens,
their instinct may be to try and get home.
It’s a good idea to have different plans
for different emergencies, including a
rendezvous point for family members if
going home isn’t an option.
EmergencyPreparedness

SecurityChecklistforChildren Child Safety Checklist
Help your children memorize their
full names, address and telephone
number (including area code). Make
sure they know how to make a phone
call.
Post your telephone numbers, along
with numbers for police and fire
departments, trusted neighbors, and
your local poison control center near
the phones in your home.
Walk around your neighborhood with
your children. Show them safe places
to go during an emergency such
as a neighbor’s house or a nearby
business.
Check your neighborhood for danger
zones and teach your children to
avoid them. Danger zones can
include construction sites, empty or
abandoned buildings, wooded areas
and other places with the potential to
threaten the safety of your children.
Teach your children to never accept
gifts or rides from people that they do
not know.
Teach your children to seek out
security officers, store clerks, or
mothers with children to ask for help
if they become separated from you in
shopping malls or other public places.
Children should never venture into a
parking lot alone.
SecurityChecklistforChildren

Accompany your child to public
restrooms.
Teach your children that no one, not
even someone that they know and
trust, is allowed to touch them in ways
that make them uncomfortable. Tell
them that they have the right to say
“NO” to an adult in this situation.
Ensure that your children are taking
the safest routes to school and
friends’ houses. Teach them to
avoid the danger zones that you’ve
identified.
Never hang a house key around your
child’s neck. That is an indicator that
your child will be home alone.
Teach children to walk confidently and
to pay attention to what’s going on
around them.
Encourage children to look out for the
safety of other children. Teach them
to report anything that doesn’t seem
right.
Teach your children to avoid strangers
who hang around playgrounds, public
restrooms, and empty buildings.
Teach them to write down license
plate numbers and report these things
if they observe them.

FirearmsSafetyGuide Firearms Safety Guide
1. Treat every firearm as if it were
loaded.
Even if your safety feature is engaged,
remember that it’s a mechanical device
and could potentially fail. The most
important safety feature of your firearm
is you.
2. Keep your finger off the trigger until
you’re ready to shoot.
Make it a habit to hold your finger in an
extended position alongside the barrel
of the firearm until you’re ready to fire.
3. Always keep the muzzle of the
firearm pointed in a safe direction.
A safe direction is one in which no
one will be harmed if your firearm
accidentally discharges.
4. Be sure of your target and know
what’s beyond your target.
Know where the bullet will go if you
miss your target.
5. Use proper ammunition.
Using improper ammunition can cause
a misfire. It’s also important to inspect
your ammunition to make sure that it
is not damaged. Do not use damaged
ammunition.
6. If your firearm fails to fire when the
trigger is pulled, handle it cautiously.
Wait several seconds to ensure that the
firearm isn’t going to fire then carefully
unload the firearm.
FirearmsSafetyGuide

7. Always wear eye and ear protection
when shooting.
Continued exposure to the sound of
gunfire can permanently damage your
hearing and small particles emitted
from the barrel pose a danger to your
eyes.
8. Be sure that the barrel is clear
of obstructions before firing the
firearm.
Even a small amount of debris in the
barrel can increase the pressure and
cause the barrel to bulge or burst when
firing.
9. Do not alter or modify your firearm
and have it serviced regularly.
Altering the firearm can jeopardize your
safety and regular service, provided
by a certified armorer for that type
of firearm, is necessary to keep the
firearm in proper working order.
10. Always unload the firearm when
storing it or transferring it to another
person.
The safest way to store firearms is
unloaded and in a separate location
from the ammunition. Transferring a
loaded weapon from one person to
another increases the chance of an
accidental discharge.

WorkplaceViolenceQuickReferenceCard Have you recently witnessed or experienced any of the following?
• Bullying
• Harassment
• Intimidation
• Threats
• Physical altercation
If so, please report them to TVA Police at 855.476.2489.
Things at work that could trigger violent behavior include:
• Feeling harassed or intimidated
• Being laid off or fired
• Requests for help not being taken seriously
• Receiving disciplinary action
• Being overwhelmed by work or personal issues
• Feeling victimized
WorkplaceViolenceQuickReferenceCard

The following are behavioral indicators that have the potential
to lead to acts of violence:
• Excessive tardiness or absences
• Dramatic changes in personality or behavior
• Declining performance
• Need for additional supervision
• Signs of stress
• Inability to concentrate
• Substance abuse
• Refusal to take responsibility
• Unhealthy fascination with weapons
• Identifying with the perpetrators of violence
How can we prevent workplace violence?
• Show concern if you notice that a coworker is struggling. Never shun or gossip about
the person.
• Notify a supervisor if you notice inappropriate behavior.
• Supervisors must address inappropriate behavior before it escalates. Refer employees to
the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Fitness for Duty (FFD) or some other resource.

EmergencyNumberGuide
Mom at work
Dad at work
Mom cell phone
Dad cell phone
Emergencies 9-1-1
Poison Control

For more information about
Security Awareness in general or any of the
individual topics covered in this book, please contact
TVA Police & Emergency Management at 865.632.4762.

TVA Police &
Emergency Management
400 West Summit Hill Drive
WT 2D-K
Knoxville, TN 37902

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