Holiday Safety Tips

The holiday season will be in full swing following the day after Thanksgiving. We’ve officially entered the season of shopping and at times arriving home after dark. As you set out to shop, take a few moments to consider some basic safety rules:

• Park as close as possible to the store or entrance to the mall and in well-lighted areas.
• Lady shoppers: Please have complete control of your purse at all times not leaving it on a counter or bathroom floor. Don’t walk around with an open purse. You leave yourself open to become a target.
• Male shoppers should keep their wallets in a front pocket.
• Try to make arrangements with a friend to shop together. You’re less likely to be victimized when in twos or a group.
• As you leave the shopping center toward your car do so cautiously always be aware of your surroundings. If you feel uneasy, return back to the mall, and have security walk with you to your vehicle.
• When returning home, take notice of your surroundings before getting out of your vehicle. If you notice anything suspicious, pull out of your driveway, and call 911.
• When getting in/out of your vehicle always have your keys in hand and ready.

We urge you to take precautions this holiday shopping season. The key to your personal safety is your own vigilance. All of us at Vinson Guard Service want you to enjoy the Holiday Season and all the Joy and Festivities that go along with it.

Happy Holidays!

Top Ten Ways to Hold a Company Party

There is always a risk involved in holding any company-sponsored function. Serving alcohol compounds the problems. According to a recent study, 36% of employers report behavior problems at their most recent company party. These problems involved everything from excessive drinking to off-color jokes to sexual advances to fist fights.

As a result, about 30% of employers now hold alcohol-free parties. Since most employers still want to hold holiday parties, you can greatly reduce your legal liability by observing as many of the following recommendations as possible:

1. If possible, don’t serve alcohol. This is easier to do if you simply have a catered lunch at the company’s office.
2. Invite spouses and significant others so that there will be someone there to help keep an eye on your employees and, if necessary, get hem home safely.
3. Always serve food if you serve alcohol, and always have plenty of non-alcoholic beverages available.
4. If your party is a dinner, consider serving only wine or beer (plus non-alcoholic alternatives) with the meal.
5. If you do serve alcohol, do not have “open bar” where employees can drink as much as they want. Instead have a cash bar or use a ticket system to limit the number of drinks. Close the bar at least an hour before you plan to end the party. Switch to coffee and soft drinks from there on.
6. Let your managers know that they will be considered to be “on duty” at the party. They should be instructed to keep an eye on their subordinates to ensure they do not drink too much. Instruct managers that they are not to attend any “post party” parties.
7. Consumption of alcohol lowers inhibitions, and impairs judgment. This can result in employees saying and doing things that they would not ordinarily do. Remind employees that, while you encourage everyone to have a good time, your company’s normal workplace standards of conduct will be in force at the party and misconduct at or after the party can result in disciplinary action.
8. Hire professional bartenders (don’t use supervisors!) and instruct them to report anyone who they feel has had too much. Ensure that bartenders require positive identification from guests who do not appear to be substantially over 21.
9. Arrange for no-cost taxi service for any employee who feels that he or she should not drive home. At management’s discretion, be prepared to provide hotel rooms for intoxicated employees.
10. Never, never, never hang mistletoe! Yep, we’re not kidding. Take a look at number 4 again, and you’ll see why.

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DHS Proposes Plan to ID Departing Visitors

According to Department of Homeland Security officials a proposal is being finalized that would allow Airport Security to collect fingerprints or eye scans from all foreign travelers at U.S airports as they leave the country. If initiated the plan would take effect in two years and allow the government to track approximately 35 million U.S visitors leaving the country. A senior DHS official said, "This would add a level of certainty to the departures of one category of people who came into the U.S. The DHS plans to send the proposal to the White House next month for review and in hopes of being included in President Obama’s next budget.

Source: The Washington Post

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Border Arrests Decline Again

Federal data shows the number of people caught trying to illegally enter the country has dropped by more than 23 percent in the past year. Government officials said the downturn of the economy and rising jobless numbers are huge factors in the decline, but also noted investment in border security since 9/11 have helped drastically. U.S Border arrests have fallen nearly 67% since the year 2000. In the past five years, the U.S has almost doubled the amount of border patrol agents, as well as using a combination of patrols, fences, electronic sensors and pilotless drone aircraft to help deter individuals from illegally entering the country.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

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QUOTE:
"Let your hopes, not your hurts, shape your future." - Robert H. Schuller