Have Fun, But Be Safe!

2012 is almost over and before we know it, it will be tomorrow, January 1, 2013.  But before we end the year, there are still safety tips and news we want you to consider as you ring in the new year with family and friends.

The Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) has a program, "Drive Sober, Georgia", where Georgians can call to receive free rides to get you home safely from big celebration like New Year's Eve parties.  The mobile app (compatible for iPhone and Android) is downloadable and you can use to reach partner companies in the Savannah area. 

 

This year, another option is AAA and Bud Light Tow To Go program.  This program allows you to call an 800 toll free number and they will find a partner taxi service in your area to take you home safely.  There is still a fee, but your life is way much more than any cost of a ride home.

 

(855) 2-TOW-2-GO or (855) 286-9246

We are so looking forward to 2013!  The blessings have been full in 2012 and we want to work with YOU in 2013.  So please, have fun but be careful.

Stay Safe!

~From the Saber Family

Saber 2012 Halloween Safety Tips

Every year, Saber provides safety tips to the community to ensure Halloween is a fun and safe celebration for the kids and adults alike.  This year is no exception.  Below we've provided great safety tips for trick or treating, parties, costume safety, driving tips and more.  Saber wants you to enjoy your Halloween, but always Stay Safe!


Having a Party?

Try something different this year.  Include healthy items on your party menu.  What about a veggie tray or fruit tray for the kids?  Believe it or not, they will enjoy it.  Try not to put too much sugar sweets on the menu.  And don't forget to check with kids' parents about any food allergies.  You might want to substitute something else on the party menu.



Got your costume?
Costumes are tradition in Halloween so be careful about the costume you purchase for kids.  Make sure it has some reflective lighting or buy additional reflective lighting for the costume.  Ensure that it is just the right size.  You don't want to have your kids trip on their costumers.  Masks are cool, but be sure they don't restrict any breathing and flame resistant.  Costume accessories can be very just as dangerous.  If your kids have swords or sticks or whatever, make sure they are not too sharp where they bump into another kid and hurt them or themselves.  Use your knowledge to decide what is best for your kids.


Trick-o-Treating?

Try providing coloring books, crayons, pencils or pens instead of candy.  Kids are going to fill-up on candy so need to try to limit the amount of candy they receive. Besides, coloring is fun!  They'll appreciate it.  Keep your driveway, stairs well lite for the trick-o-treaters.  You don't want any accidents.  Teach your kids never to take shortcuts and stay with the group.  We want the kids to have fun, but be safe while they're trick-o-treating.  Have that conversation about strangers before your kids go trick-o-treating?  It won't hurt to review some of the already safety tips you have with your kids all year around.  And finally, take a flash light with you.  It will be dark and just an extra precaution.


Driving this Halloween?
This is Halloween and there will be kids in the streets so slow down.  Wherever you have to go is not so important that it cost someone their life.  Be extra aware on the road for those trick-o-treaters. 


Below is a list of additional resources for this Halloween. 
Halloween Safety Guide
Halloween Health and Safety Tips from the CDC
Halloween Safety Tips from the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children
Halloween Safety Tips from American Academy of Pediatrics
Lucky 13 Tips for a Safe Halloween from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration



From Saber Security, Happy Halloween and Stay Safe!

Security Through Collaboration

Global security in the forefront of recent news regardless to whether it is on the other side of the globe, how does global security issues affect Savannah?

Savannah is major eastern U.S. shipping port with imports and exports that are great in quantity and in dollars.  We are truly affected by global incidents.  Why?  When the U.S. State department increases the threat level alert, this often affects traffic and public transportation including buses, ports and airports.  These are typical target spots especially for terrorists because they assume these are vulnerable areas.  Rest assured, all major ports in the U.S. have their own security threat levels and if the U.S. department has raised the country's threat level to 5, theirs is at 10.  Many transportation hubs like international airports, shipping ports and bus depots have their own protocols in place to ensure the safety of our citizens, but also their employees.  They DO NOT take these security threats lightly. 

 

Through specific security procedures, technology and personnel, rest assured, our borders are safe.  No matter how many challenges we are faced daily, our border patrol, coast guards and military work together to ensure that our citizens are safe.  It may take a village to raise a child, but it takes a community of law enforcement and security organizations to keep our citizens safe.

 

Stay Safe!

 

Back To School Safety Tips

2012-2013, a new school year is upon us and schools have yet another challenge to keep their kids safe!  But we can do our part as a community to keep our kids safe to and from school, while they're at school and once they get home from school.  Parents, review the list below as a family.  Make sure everyone has your undivided attention.

Going to/from school

Walkers
- Be alert when you're walking to school
- Cross only at cross-walk
- Depending on your age, hold an adults hands when you cross the street
- Walk, don't run
- Walk on sidewalks and paths ONLY
- Never take short cuts
- Never talk to strangers

Bikers
- Wear your helmets ALWAYS
- Ride with the traffice, not against the traffic
- Use proper hand signals when turning
- Use bike paths

Drivers
- Slow down
- Watch out for kids
- Stop for buses at bus stops
- Give pedestrians right of way
- Don't use your cell phones
- Don't text and drive


Keep safe and healthy at school
- If you're sick, stay at home
- Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer throughout the day
- Plan healthy lunches
- Don't use your cell phones during class
- Do use your cell phone to call your parents if you have to stay after school


A great list but in no way complete.  You know your kids, you know your schools and you know your community.  Talk with each other and keep each other informed.  This is the best way to practice safety and keep everyone safe.

Stay Safe!

Safety Tips for Savannah's Heat Wave

by Bernard S. Robinson

Savannah and most of the country has experienced record breaking temperatures so early in the Summer.  The coastal empire especially has high temperatures not only because of the heat, but the humidity makes it often times unbearable.  The heat index makes it feel as though it is 110 degrees in Savannah which is very dangerous for everyone, but especially for those asthmatics, elderly and other breathing conditions.  Saber just wants to provide the Savannah community and surrounding coastal areas with heat safety tips to stay safe.

Heat Wave Safety Tips:
1. Drink plenty of fluids - If you are involved in heavy exercise, drink 2-4 glasses each hour.  Avoid alcohol or cold beverages to prevent stomach cramps.  These types of drinks can cause you to lose more fluid.

2. Wear sunscreen outside -If you're outside for long periods of time, use sunscreen to prevent sun burns.  SPF 15 or higher is better.

3. Dress cool - Wear light clothes when at home or outside. Your clothes should be light-weight, loose-fitting and light color to keep cool.

4. Avoid strenuous exercise - Unless you are an athlete, try to reduce your activities. If you must exercise, then choose the coolest time of the day to reduce muscle spasms, stomach cramps and more.  If you feel dizzy, light-headed, nausea, headache or heart rate up, then you should slow down, get in a cool area and have someone call 9-1-1.

5. Replace your salt and minerals - When you sweat, you loose salt and minerals that your body needs so you need to replace them by drinking sports beverages or work with your doctor to see what is best for you.  Don't take salt table unless instructed by your doctor.

6. Buddy Up - Always walk or travel with someone in case there is an emergency, then that person can call 9-1-1 or if your friend is in need of help, you're there to help him/her.

7. Check on those most at risk - The elderly, kids and pets are more vulnerable during these times.  You should check on them regularly to ensure their body temperatures are normal.  Often times, they do not realize that they are overheated, so it's always best to have frequent watch over them.

8. Take frequent breaks - If your job is working outside, take frequent breaks and hydrate. Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke which is very dangerous and can be fatal.

9. Eat small meals and more often - When your body breaks down the food, it creates metabolic heat. The bigger the meal, the more the metabolic heat.

10.  Call 9-1-1 in emergency - If you are ever unsure about how you feel or how someone else feels, your safest bet is to always call 9-1-1.  Emergency response teams always have the best trained people and latest equipment to manage emergencies while they get you to the hospital.


These safety tips is just preventive measures to help educate the community in being safe during the summer and in this incredible heat.  Saber is part of the Savannah family and always pass along information that will help everyone Stay Safe!


Contributing Author Profile:
Bernard S. Robinson is Managing Director and Principal Consultant of RSC (Robinson Security Consultancy).  He has partnered with Saber since its infancy and continues to provide security and safety advice to Saber and global clients.  Bernard blogs about safety, security, industry alerts and practices.

Ode To Saber ... by A Saber Employee

When one of your clients pays your company a complement or highlights your work in an article or a quote, it does wonders for a company's rating and reputation.  However, when one of your employee's goes out of his or her way to complement your company, it means not only are you a desirable company to work for, but you have earned the respect of your employees which only enhances the relationship between management and employees and strengthens the work you bring to each client.  But we have the privilege of an employee of ours to go out of his way to write a poem (part 1 as we understand it) that tells the perspective from the employee and how much our employees love Saber.

Without further adieu...

I love Saber

How do you know?

Because, When I came to the company they allowed me to grow.

I started on River Street, guarding the train.

It was a night for me to remember, because all night I worked in the rain.

The shift, I believe was from 7-7.

I thought now how can I work 12 hours without hearing from heaven?

I closed my eyes but they popped wide open.

The Voice said to me, my word has been spoken;

You are safe for tonight not a soul shall come near,

Your future with Saber will prosper this year.

Now be reminded that this was the month of December.

His word spoken that night, I will always remember,

He said SAVANNAH is growing; it’s time for a change.

Who shall guard this beautiful city? Saber’s the name.

The words I‘ve given to Saber they follow them well.

The next company we shall strengthen shall be Newell.

To be continued…….

Author, David Williams

Site Supervisor, Saber Security 
City of Savannah Parking Garages

Saber Leaping Forward

Today is February 29, 2012 a Leap Year!  And Saber is right on point.  We are looking at this day as our chance to leap forward in the Savannah Community as we've done in the past.  We will work hard on standing out from our competition and continue to have a positive impact in the community.  Through training, hiring professional staff and custom client service, we are sure to have a fabulous 2012.

Training has always been key in providing our clients with security professionals that know the industry, execute procedures and keep our clients assets secure.  We don't just push our staff through training before they are on site, but we provide annual refresher courses and invest in more industry training as well. In addition to the state mandated 24-hour security officer training, our security officers are trained in defense techniques, firearms training, emergency response, safety awareness and much more.  Saber believes that a well trained security officer is a reliable security professional. 

Security professionals begin with dedicated talent pool.  We pride ourselves in sifting through a large pool of candidates and selecting prime professionals that take their jobs seriously.  Since 9/11, security cannot be seen as the previous misconceptions of stationary security guard that sign you in when you visit an area.  Security professionals must engage with the clients on a daily and regular basis (people skills), they must have knowledge of the site operations and high alert especially in emergency situations where responsiveness is critical to providing quality service.  Saber prides itself on the great security professionals that we take the time to put through our selection process and provide basic security guard training as well as site training to cater to each client. 

We provide our clients with customized service because each client is different and have different security needs.  Whethere it is a special event, securing a facility or providing security during transport, Saber customizes the service to fee every client and their budget.  Budget is always a top priority with our clients, but rest assured, we may negotiate a great deal, but we never compromise in our services.  It is against everything we stand for and does not reflect our mission which is to provide impeccable security service to each client. 

So, as we leap forward today, on this day, February 29, 2012, we hope we leap together.  We are servicing the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan community and hope you engage with us in helping keep Savannah Safe. Community engagement at a local level makes a strong impact in such a global city.  Remember, we're right beside you.

Stay Safe!

Security & Safety 2011 Year In Review

2011 was presented with many security issues in travel, event protection, campus safety, physical security and more.  Saber reviews 2011 safety and security challenges so that we are more prepared in 2012.

Travel
So many controversy on the scanners for luggage and body this year, but most recently, WSAV reported a man trying to snuggle poisonous snakes on a plane from Argentina bound for Europe was caught by X-Ray scanners. Or Alec Baldwin's anger management challenges on a US Airways flight that caused so much havoc on and off the plane.  Reports of food poisoning, people falling off and modern day pirates on cruise ships takes the safety and security to the sea.  Crashes and rail jumps on our railways. And let's not forget the number of car accidents and fatalities in 2011.  Did you know that the U.S. Census Bureau maintains all this statistical data for transportation accidents, incidents and fatalities?  You can read more at U.S. Census Bureau website.

Event Protection
As weddings, graduations, promotions, openings, campus parties and other celebration were kicking off, Saber was on many security details for many events in Savannah.  We had to hire two event security managers particularly to cover special events in the city so that the party wouldn't get too out of hand while still allowing party goers to have fun.  Safety and fun can go hand-in-hand.  Our protection detail included


Campus Safety
Saber provided many security details for Georgia Southern University (GSU) greek parties on and off campuses. The goal is always to keep the students safe and educate those on safety and security measures. Campus safety has been on the rise in the last decade with many on campus shootings, hazing, students missing after parties, binge drinking and more. As always, Saber is constantly training in new security techniques, investigative procedures and working closely with local law enforcement agencies as well as campus police.  At many GSU greek parties, Saber officers were there to check I.D.s, monitor the party inside and outside for any alcohol or drugs, and just ensure that everyone was safe so they can enjoy the party.  We want everyone to have a good time, but not at the expense of their lives or putting others in danger.

Physical Safety & Security
Safety and Security starts with security monitoring, access control and education.  Saber provides many physical safety and security service to a number of offices, plants, construction and industrial sites in Savannah and surrounding areas. In 2011, companies have tried to find ways to maintain the high level of safety and security at their work sites and protect their employees while reducing cost.  Saber provides a creative way to produce both in remote monitoring. Through physical security cameras at client site, Saber can monitor the site remotely via computer software. This is a huge reduction in cost for security officer man hours. Additionally, we can record daily activities for later investigations if needed.  Remote monitoring can also reduce insurance cost for an organization.

 

Plans for 2012
So as we complete our first month in 2012, rest assured, Saber is consistently thinking of how we can improve the services that we offer, but what new offerings can we provide the Savannah community. One of our main committment this year is Community Partnership. As we've learned as an organization, it is beneficial for everyone that Saber works with the community as a partner to prevent crime and promote safety. We will continue to improve our services through continued education and training for all of our employees to provide top notch service to our current and future clients.  But we also know that community involvement helps build safety and security awareness and strengthen and promote partnership.

Stay Safe!