12 Days of Christmas Saber Style

The holidays are upon us and it's time for the hustle and bustle of shopping, trip to grandma's house, and lots of holiday cheer.  But keep things in perspective and remember the 12 days of Christmas Safety! 

Saber's version of what Saber officers use and do to keep you safe all year.

On the 1st day of Christmas Santa said to me,
let Saber provide Security;

On the 2nd day of Christmas Santa said to me,
2 golf carts;

On the 3rd day of Christmas Santa said to me,
3 deggy wands;

On the 4th day of Christmas Santa said to me,
4 flashlights;

On the 5th day of Christmas Santa said to me,
5 Certified Officers;

On the 6th day of Christmas Santa said to me,
6 foot patrols;

On the 7th day of Christmas Santa said to me,
7 daily reports;

On the 8th day of Christmas Santa said to me,
8 check points;

On the 9th day of Christmas Santa said to me,
9 employment screenings;

On the 10th day of Christmas Santa said to me,
10 background checks;

On the 11th day of Christmas Santa said to me,
11 safety tips;

On the 12th day of Christmas Santa said to me,
12 happy clients!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  Stay Safe!

Black Friday Top 10 Safety Tips

This year's Black Friday is November 25, 2011.  Retail analysts and economic strategists will be following the numbers, but Saber follows the safety measures that people tend to overlook.  We're passing along Black Friday 10 Top Safety Tips to ensure you enjoy the shopping and not the crime.

Black Friday Top 10 Safety Tips
1.       Don’t shop alone. Safety in numbers.

2.       Remain aware of your surroundings and people in it. Don't be caught off guard.

3.       Dress casual, not gauddy.  Expensive jewelry will attract attention unwanted gazers.

4.       Don’t carry more than you can handle. Too many bags attracts too often.

5.       Don’t leave any valuables out in the open in your car.  Lock valuables in the trunk, out of sight.

6.       If you have to go back in the store, move your vehicle to make it seem like you’re leaving.  Criminals may be watching and you want to make the appearance.

7.       Report any suspicious person or activities to security, management or police.

8.       Do not engage in conversation with strangers that approach you because they will try to disarm/distract you during the conversation.  This is a typical purse snatchers method.

9.       Don’t be afraid to ask for a security escort during shopping. 

10.   Don’t be flashy with money. Try to carry small amounts of cash.  Credit cards can be replaced and notified immediately if they are lost and stolen.

These are just some of the safety tips for shopping.  Enjoy your time, but be wise. 

Stay Safe!


Bernard S. Robinson
Principal Security Consultant
Robinson Security Consultancy

Halloween Safety Tips for Kids

Every year Saber provides Halloween safety tips for kids.  This is just our way to help keep our kids safe while having a good time. 

Costume safety:

• Wear face paint instead of a mask.  You want to make sure kids can breathe easily and with no restrictions. Water resistant is best and watch out for application around the eyes.
•  Make sure costumes don’t drag.  You don’t want kids to trip and fall. 
• Ensure costumes are not tight.  Restricting kids movement may hinder reaction time in emergency situations.
• Check costume tags.  Make sure it is fire resistant.

Neighborhood safety:

•           Keep your homes well lit so that kids don’t trip over anything in the yard, steps or porch.
•           Restrict cars driving during trick-o-treat time.  Have a designated watch patrol in the area slowing drivers down.
•           Partner with neighborhood churches or charitable organizations to help keep environment family oriented and fun.
•           Work as a community unit.  Have community safety patrols report any suspicious activities.  Law enforcement agencies will be on high alert during this time.

Trick-o-Treating (ToT) and Candy safety:

•           Before going out, talk to your kids about safety rules (Don’t talk to strangers, in case of fire “Stop-Drop-Roll”, Talk to police officer if they feel uncomfortable or upset, etc.).
•          Go out in ToT groups. Safety in numbers.
•          Walk on sidewalks. Follow the rules.
•          Carry a flashlight.
•           Have a separate bag for candy from neighbors you know and those you don’t know.  Check the candies for anything suspicious or tampered packages. If unsure, throw it away!
•           Don’t go trick-o-treating too late.  Time should be age appropriate.
•           Let the kids have 2-3 different candies after inspection.  Too much sweet can mean a bad stomach ache later. 

We hope these safety tips will help keep your kids safe during this Halloween so that everyone can have a good time.  Get organized, work together, and watch out for each other. 

Stay Safe!

Emergency Preparedness -- Are you ready?

Are you prepared for a category 5 Hurricane? It is hurricane season and Saber wants to help the Savannah community stay informed on what to do, where to go and where to find information to help you be prepared during emergency situations.

At the local level, everyone should always stay abreast of their local news, law enforcement agencies and CEMA. The federal government has several Fusion centers/installations around the country, but Chatham Emergency Management Agency was also created to management emergencies at a local level. At the state level, Georgia also has a fusion center located in Atlanta metro area and works with other federal and state agencies to ensure execution of emergency procedures are effective, efficient and in a timely manner.

Emergency Preparedness is not merely for natural disasters, but also for terror attacks or power surges from nuclear power plants or even massive accidents on rail, air, sea and land (e.g. forest fires, illness on cruise ships, two rail lines colliding, just to name a few). There are all types of emergencies where everyone seems to be unprepared or have no idea where to get information from. Saber wants to help the Savannah community by providing at least links to help you in your emergency preparedness. The links below are a compilation of federal, state and local agencies that you can go to find information about accidents, what to do in evacuations and love ones who are in dire straits.

But remember, Stay Safe!

Federal agencies
Weather/Natural Disasters
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- Red Cross
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- National Weather Service
- National Hurricane Center
- Disaster Assistance

Safety
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)
- U.S. Homeland Security
- U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA for HAZMAT)

Abroad
- Bureau of Consular Affairs
- U.S. Embassies in foreign countries

State agencies
Weather/Natural Disasters
- Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA)
- National Weather Service Forecast Office (Charleston)

Safety
- Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI)
- Georgia State Patrol (GSP)
- Georgia Homeland Security

Local agencies
Weather/Natural Disasters
- Weather Underground (Savannah)
- Weather.com (Savannh)
- WTOC
- WSAV
- Savannah Red Cross

Safety
- Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA)
- Savannah Chatham Metropolitan Police Department
- City of Savannah
- Chatham County

Back To School Safety Tips

Savannah-Chatham county schools are back in session on August 22, 2011.  As school begins and parents are excited about getting the house back, Saber wants to remind everyone to take time to discuss some safety tips for students.  As everyone prepares their kids for back to school, please sit down with them and discuss some of the safety tips below because it could be a matter of life and safety!

Elementary Kids - Bus Stop safety:
- Parents, please familiarize yourself with surroundings around the bus stop.  Take note of anything out of the ordinary and contact your local law enforcement to check things out. Go over the route to walk from the bus stop with your kids.  Make sure you and your kids are comfortable with the route.
- Kids, remember, don't talk to strangers to or from the bus stop.  Parents, create a safety word just for you and your kids and ONLY you and your kids.  Practice!
- If you are a Latch Key Kid, lock the doors behind you and call your parents to let them know you are home safely.  DO NOT open the door for friends or anyone else without an adult at home.

Middle Schoolers:
- Whether you are walking home from school or the bus stop or even waiting at the school for your ride, DO NOT accept rides from anyone unless you have your parents permission.
- Report any HARASSMENT or BULLYING that happens to YOU or SOMEONE ELSE.  Principal, staff, counselors, teachers campus police and parents are working together to make sure you and other students are safe!

High Schoolers:
- NO TEXTING WHILE DRIVING!  It is not worth your life or someone else!  It can wait!
- While at school, if you notice anyone in the halls that shouldn't be there, report it immediately. 
- If you are at an activity after school, get your parents permission and let them know if you are going to be late.  If something happens, your parents can respond appropriately.  Be responsible!

College Students:
- If you are going out at night, travel in groups or let someone know/friends/roommates where you are going.  In case of an emergency, they can let emergency response teams know where you are.
- Binge drinking is dangerous!  It is not worth your life.  There are plenty of ways to have fun while being safe.
- Store campus emergency numbers on your phone, especially campus police/security. They are there to help and provide escorts if you feel unsafe at any time.

So as school starts back across the country, please be sure to talk Security Shop with your students.  Teachers, it's not a bad topic to discuss on the first day of school.  Let's work together as a community to ensure ALL children are safe.

Stay Safe!


About Us
Saber delivers physical security services for various industries in the southeast region. We provide highly professional security officers for events, facility management, accessibility operations, high-value escorts and executive protection. SSI has presence in municipalities, university campus events, transportation and others. For more information, visit http://www.sabersi.com/.
 

Avoid Crime This Summer

As we enter another Summer in Savannah, Saber wants to pass along information that will help deter crime.  Our new Field Supervisor, Kenny Hibner, has provided a list to help our clients avoid crime.  As a security firm, we are always quick to be reactive to situations that arise.  But, we always want to be proactive when it comes to preventing criminal activities from even beginning.

Crime Avoidance Tips:

• If you make deposits, vary you’re banking routine, carrying the cash in different ways not making the deposit bag to obvious.
• Vary the times and routes you take to go to the bank.
• If you see someone “suspicious” or if you get the feeling that person just doesn’t belong there, report them.
• Keep your front doors and/or windows clear of flyers and posters to allow for a clear view at all times.
• Review emergency procedures with your staff at least on a quarterly basis.
• Keep pathways inside and outside of buildings well lit and clear of obstructions.  This will help prevent slips, trips and falls and will deny anyone from places to hide along these paths.
• Stress to your employees the importance of being aware of their surroundings to avoid unsafe areas as well as help preventing them from becoming a victim of crime.

Keep these things in mind while you are going about your day during this summer.  Pass it along, share it with your neighbors, friends and other businesses.  And remember...

Stay Safe!

About Us
Saber delivers physical security services for various industries in the southeast region. We provide highly professional security officers for events, facility management, accessibility operations, high-value escorts and executive protection. SSI has presence in municipalities, university campus events, transportation and others. For more information, visit http://www.sabersi.com/. 

Be Smart! -- Defend Yourself

Often times we are so lax in our daily activities, we may not pay attention to our surroundings as we should.  Would you know what to do if you were suddenly attacked?  The National Crime Victimization Survey (1) reported in 2006 more than 200,000 women were raped or sexually assaulted.  This is too large of a number to go unprepared for an attacker.  Saber is offering women's self defense classes.  Spread the word.  Tell your mother, sister, aunt, girlfriend, co-worker, everyone, about these classes.  It could save a woman's life.

Be Smart. Be Prepared. Be Ready!

1. NOW (National Organization of Women)

About Us
Saber delivers physical security services for various industries in the southeast region. We provide highly professional security officers for events, facility management, accessibility operations, high-value escorts and executive protection. SSI has presence in municipalities, university campus events, transportation and others. For more information, visit http://www.sabersi.com/. 

Everyone's Irish but Safe

Erin Go Bragh

Savannah has a large Irish Catholic community and why she hosts one of the largest St. Patrick's Day celebration in the country.  This year's St. Patrick's day is filled with great events, traditional parade, family fun and lots of partying!  Saber just wants to remind everyone to be safe during the partying.  Here are a few safety tips to get you through the festivities.

Saber Top 5 St. Patty's Celebration Safety Tips:

1. Family:  Remember this is also a family event.  And although, things are quite different at night, please remember, during the day, be respectful of our kids.  Have fun but not at the expense of the little ones.
2. Hold your liquor: Parties and liquor can be a dangerous mix.  Please be sure you are able to hold your liquor.  Eating helps your body absorb the liquor and minimize the affect on your body. Be responsible!
3. Groups have fun too:  Have a friend or group to party with. It's safer in numbers.
4. Communication Strategy: Make sure you have a plan to meet at a designated location and time.  Also have a backup plan in case of emergency.
5. Awareness:  Be aware of what each other are wearing, and your surroundings.  St. Patrick's day celebration draws large crowds.  Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police will be out.  

We hope everyone has fun this St. Patrick's Day.  The City is predicting record numbers in attendance. 

Stay together,

Stay alert,

Stay Safe!


About Saber


Saber delivers physical security services for various industries in the southeast region. We provide highly professional security officers for events, facility management, accessibility operations, high-value escorts and executive protection. SSI has presence in municipalities, university campus events, transportation and others. For more information, visit http://www.sabersi.com/.

Fostering New Security Relationships in 2011

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) raised the U.S. threat level for domestic and international flights to High or Orange (read more).  The recent violence in Arizona during a meet-and-greet between Representative Giffords and her constituents leave 6 people dead and 13 wounded including Congress woman Giffords.  There is no time to be lax in security. 

Saber is continuing to educate our security officers, staff and our community through education in situational awareness, proper use of a firearm and educating our community by offering a new Women's Self Defense course.  Saber prides itself on providing quality security service to our clients but also encourage community involvement and will continue to work with the Savannah metropolitan community to raise awareness in hopes to prevent crime and promote safety.

Join us this year and every year as we continue our trek through security challenges.  Any classes you have an idea about or want to get involved in our security fairs throughout the year, please contact us anytime.  We welcome the involvement and hope to foster great long lasting "secure" relationships.

Stay Safe!