According to the FBI, 70 percent of active shooter events that have occurred since 2000 occurred in a business or educational environment. On top of that, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found workplace homicides rose by 2 percent in 2015, with shootings increasing by 15 percent, and those statistics are predicted to rise even more this year. With this rise in workplace threat incidents, it’s more important than ever to have an escape plan for your office.
There are many things you can do daily to help prevent workplace violence and prepare yourself for an active threat at work. Though you may never experience an active threat attack, being prepared for one at all times can help save your life, as well as the lives of those around you.
Practice Situational Awareness
Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Is anything out of the norm? Is a coworker acting strangely? Did someone bring a backpack or other bag to work that they normally don’t? Maintaining situational awareness will help you spot threats before they happen. You can read more about situational awareness here.
Pack Your Go Bag
Your go bag will house everything you need in case of emergency, from your keys and IDs to medication, first aid kits and more. Having this bag with you at all times will make your escape easier. Want to know what to pack in your go bag? Check out that blog post here.
Pinpoint an escape route: Know all the exits in your building and map out escape routes for each situation. With a clear path out of the building, you’ll know exactly where to go at the first sign of danger.
Make it routine
Humans are creatures of habit, and habit can be incredibly helpful in an emergency situation. Make sure to set your go bag and keys in the same place every day – that way you can grab what you need and leave through your pre-planned escape route quickly. Those extra seconds can save your life in an emergency situation.
