Personal Security Tips

TVA Police offer personal security tips to help employees, visitors, vendors and contractors to stay safe on TVA lands and waters.

Be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Know where you are and who is nearby. Park and walk in well-lit areas. Avoid walking near shrubbery or other objects that obstruct your vision or could be used as hiding places for perpetrators.

Walk with confidence.

Uncertainty and distraction are your enemies. Perpetrators look for easy victims. Avoid texting or talking on your mobile phone; don’t have your hands full.

Make eye contact.

Don’t be too confrontational with others, but do look them in the eye. This, too, demonstrates confidence.

How would you respond if approached?

Be prepared by having a plan in mind. Would you run? Where would you go? You may need to kick off your shoes and drop things you’re carrying. It’s a good idea to practice that at home.

What if you can’t run?

If you are physically unable to run, of if there is nowhere to go, you may need to defend yourself. What do you have on your person that can be used as a weapon?

Be vocal and loud; yell don’t scream.

If someone approaches you and makes you uncomfortable, give clear verbal instructions. For example, “GET AWAY FROM ME!” Don’t scream, YELL. Screaming originates in your throat, but yelling comes from your diaphragm.

Fight or flight?

There is no right answer to that question. It depends on the individual and the situation. Each of us has to make our own choice.

Trust your instincts.

You have to weigh your personal safety against feeling foolish or offending someone else. If something feels wrong, it probably is wrong.