Situational awareness is the ability to be aware of your surroundings and to identify potential threats or hazards. It is an important skill to have in any situation, but it is especially important to be situationally aware at home, at work, and in the community.

At home

Your home should be a safe and secure place, but it is important to be situationally aware even when you are at home. There are a number of things that can happen to make your home unsafe, such as a break-in, a fire, or a natural disaster.

Here are some tips for being situationally aware at home:

• Be aware of your surroundings. When you are coming and going from your home, be aware of who is around you and what they are doing. If you see anything suspicious, trust your instincts and report it to the police.
• Keep your doors and windows locked, even when you are home. This will help to deter burglars.
• Have a fire escape plan and practice it regularly. This will help you and your family to escape safely in the event of a fire.
• Be aware of the weather conditions and have a plan in place in case of a natural disaster.

At work

Your workplace should also be a safe and secure place, but it is important to be situationally aware even at work. There are a number of things that can happen to make your workplace unsafe, such as a fire, a natural disaster, or an active shooter situation.

Here are some tips for being situationally aware at work:

• Be aware of your surroundings. When you are coming and going from work, be aware of who is around you and what they are doing. If you see anything suspicious, trust your instincts and report it to your employer or security personnel.
• Know your emergency exits and have a plan in place in case of a fire or other emergency.
• Be aware of the potential for violence in the workplace. If you see or hear anything that makes you feel unsafe, report it to your employer or security personnel immediately.

Here are some more tips for being situationally aware at work:

• Know your coworkers. Pay attention to their behavior and be aware of any changes in their mood or behavior. This can help you to identify potential problems early on.
• Be aware of your surroundings. This includes paying attention to the people around you, the physical layout of your workplace, and any potential hazards. For example, if you are working in a laboratory, you need to be aware of the potential for chemical spills or explosions.
• Be aware of your vulnerabilities. This means being aware of your physical limitations, your emotional state, and your surroundings. For example, if you are working on a deadline, you may be more vulnerable to making mistakes or taking risks.
• Be prepared to act. If you see something suspicious or feel unsafe, have a plan for what you will do. This may involve reporting the incident to your supervisor, calling security, or leaving the area.

Here are some specific examples of how to apply these tips at work:

• If you see a coworker who is acting erratically or who seems to be under a lot of stress, check in with them to see if they need help.
• If you notice a door that is usually unlocked is now locked, or if you see a new person in the building who you don’t recognize, ask your supervisor about it.
• If you are working alone late at night, make sure that you have a way to call for help if you need it.
• If you are traveling to a new city for work, research the crime rates and take precautions to stay safe.

In the community

When you are out in the community, it is important to be situationally aware of your surroundings. There are a number of things that can happen to make you unsafe in the community, such as crime, violence, or natural disasters.

Here are some tips for being situationally aware in the community:

• Be aware of your surroundings. When you are walking, biking, or driving, be aware of who is around you and what they are doing. If you see anything suspicious, trust your instincts and avoid the area.
• Avoid walking or biking alone at night. If you must walk or bike alone at night, stay in well-lit areas and be aware of your surroundings.
• Be aware of your surroundings when you are in public places, such as shopping malls, airports, and train stations. These places can be targets for criminals and terrorists.
• Be aware of the weather conditions and have a plan in place in case of a natural disaster.

• Be mindful of your distractions. This includes putting away your phone, avoiding loud music, and not talking to people while walking or driving.
• Be aware of your vulnerabilities. This means being aware of your physical limitations, your emotional state, and your surroundings. For example, if you are carrying a lot of groceries, you may be more vulnerable to an attack.
• Be aware of your environment. This includes paying attention to the people around you, the physical layout of your surroundings, and any potential hazards. For example, if you are walking through a dark alley, you should be more aware of your surroundings than if you are walking down a busy street.
• Be prepared to act. If you see something suspicious or feel unsafe, have a plan for what you will do. This may involve leaving the situation, calling for help, or defending yourself.

Here are some specific examples of how to apply these tips in different situations:

• At home: When you arrive home, take a moment to look around and make sure that everything is normal. If you see any open doors or windows, or if you notice anything else out of place, be cautious and call the police.
• At work: If you see someone suspicious in your workplace, or if you hear something unusual, report it to your supervisor or security personnel immediately. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
• In the community: If you are walking or biking alone at night, stay in well-lit areas and be aware of your surroundings. If you see someone approaching you, cross the street or change your direction.
• While traveling: If you are traveling to a new place, be aware of the local crime rates and take precautions to stay safe. This may involve avoiding certain areas, dressing in a non-flashy way, and being careful with your belongings.

It is also important to practice situational awareness regularly. The more you practice, the better you will become at identifying potential threats and hazards. You can practice situational awareness by simply paying attention to your surroundings and being mindful of your vulnerabilities. You can also practice by running through different scenarios in your head and thinking about how you would respond.

Statistics and research to support the importance of situational awareness and its effectiveness in preventing and mitigating risks:

• A study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) found that situational awareness is a critical factor in preventing workplace accidents. The study found that workers who are more situationally aware are less likely to be injured on the job.
• A study by the University of California, Berkeley found that situational awareness is also important for preventing crime. The study found that people who are more situationally aware are less likely to be victims of crime.
• A study by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) found that situational awareness is a key component of active shooter preparedness. The study found that people who are more situationally aware are more likely to survive an active shooter incident.

Here are some specific examples of how situational awareness can help to prevent and mitigate risks:

• A worker who is situationally aware is more likely to notice a potential hazard and take steps to avoid it. For example, a worker who is aware of the location of electrical wires is less likely to accidentally trip over them.
• A person who is situationally aware is more likely to notice suspicious activity and take steps to protect themselves. For example, a person who is aware of their surroundings is more likely to notice someone following them and take steps to avoid being attacked.
• A person who is situationally aware is more likely to react quickly and effectively in an emergency situation. For example, a person who is aware of the location of exits is more likely to be able to escape from a burning building.

Overall, the research suggests that situational awareness is an important skill for preventing and mitigating risks in all aspects of life. By being situationally aware, you can identify potential threats and hazards and take steps to stay safe.

Here are some additional resources for readers to learn more about situational awareness:

Books:

• The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence by Gavin de Becker
• The Art of Awareness: 21st Century Skills for Preventing and Responding to Workplace Violence by Laurence Alison
• Street Safe: How to Stay Safe and Avoid Crime by Gavin de Becker
• Active Shooter: How to Survive an Armed Attack by Chris Sajnog

Articles:

• Situational Awareness: What It Is and How to Improve It by the FBI
• Situational Awareness: A Critical Factor in Workplace Safety by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Situational Awareness: The Key to Active Shooter Survival by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Training programs:

• Situational Awareness Training for the Workplace by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Active Shooter Preparedness Training by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• Street Safe Training by Gavin de Becker