How to perform Security tours properly

A flashlight can be a lifesaver in a building with little outdoor lighting in long hallways!

Before you leave your office Always make sure you have at the very least the following items:
-Black Ink Pen (That works)
-Field Notebook
-Radio/Cell Phone
-Watch (Avoid counting on Cell Phone Clocks, if battery goes dead you
won't have a clock!)
-Flashlight
- Even during the day is a good idea to carry one on your belt.
- You never know when power may go off or you may have to enter a dark
room.

Different paths can protect you in dark spots if you avoid coming from the same direction all the time!

Ok, next always remember to not follow the same pattern if you can help it.
- This avoids anyone patterning your behavior in order to do wrong.

When walking down hallways Always walk in the middle. This gives you a chance to react if someone is hiding in a corner/doorway, etc.

Be sure to check every door, even if the shift before you was supposed to have done so.
Never assume someone else did it. Leave knowing you provided your client with the best Security Service money can buy. You do your job.
- We are human and when walking and looking for one reason or another
things can be missed by everyone at one point or another.

When clearing a room if you are able turn the lights on. This avoids as many dark corners as possible. If you turn the lights on, turn them back off when you leave. Remember your there to save the client money.

Always check picture Identification first. If the company has staff picture Id's ask for this first. Politely.

If you see an employee doing something you don't believe they are supposed to be doing always confirm who they are, noting what they are doing in your field notebook.
* CYB- Cover Your Butt First. Better to check and be wrong then not and
loose your job!

You can see how easy it is to disappear almost in a darkened corner. Don't take any unnecessary chances!

When checking areas that are normally dark don't be afraid to use your flashlight to clear as you go around corners. Best safe than sorry.

There are no wimps when it comes to your safety. Your health and safety always comes first.

If you find any issues of Security, Safety or health. Write them down in your field notebook. Remember to note Date, Time you found it, and where you found it. If you can make a diagram drawing to help if you have nothing such as a numbered door to signify where it might be located near.

When checking boiler rooms, etc. Be sure to pay attention for out of the ordinary noises, such as squeaks, squeals, rattles. Once your familiar with the normal operating sounds throughout your building this will be easier to distinguish.

This can a simple wiring melting while the employees are away from the office

Use your nose to smell for out of the ordinary smells too.
- Do you smell gas? propane? If you do, check to see why and notate in
your field notebook.
- Do you smell smoke? Or like something might be burning? Melting
Wiring smells very distinct. Think burning rubber. It is very
similar.

Employees in office buildings will sometimes have a coffee warmer on their desk which they may have left on. Watch for these without snooping. Most have a little red or green light on it. These can short out if left on. I normally turn them off when I find them.
- I worked for several years in Fortune 500 Companies office buildings

Ok you have gotten your round done. Do you have anything written down in your field notebook? If you do get it out and go through it following the time-line as you add it to your Daily Report/Log.

When filling out your Daily Report/Log be general. You want to cover where you have been but, avoid giving anyone who might read it to be able to pattern your tours.
- If they pattern your tours your at one end of the building and they are at the other removing computers. It happens.

Remember to avoid any unnecessary commentary. This report/log may need to be used in Court and the Judge can throw it out if you put too much commentary that isn't necessary.

If you have anything that according to your companies guideline requires an Incident Report do it now if you can. The sooner you do it the less likely you are to forget.