Advice for security guards on the rise
Tips, Tools & Tactics December 2025 Vol 6
THE HOLIDAY HEAT MAP
It’s easy to get swept up in the holiday hubbub, especially when you’re dealing with frustrated people – and so many more of them than usual!
Common risks during the holidays include:
- Theft from stores or cars
- Vandalism
- Increased potential for injury from slips and falls in icy conditions
- Confrontations with upset people
Lean on your training in holiday environments. Maintaining a calm and professional demeanor instills calm and confidence in the public and may help prevent situations from escalating.
Your presence alone can be a deterrent to holiday-related crime, so be diligent on your patrols, stay alert, and maintain confidence without appearing tense or reactive.
CROWD-SMART FOR THE SEASON
Patrolling high-volume locations requires adjustments to your usual approach. Whether you’re working outdoors at a public skating rink or holiday event or providing security for a busy shopping mall, these key strategies can make all the difference:
• Stay visible. Your visible presence may help to prevent incidents before they start.
• Communicate calmly and clearly. Maintaining a calm demeanor will help to ease tense situations and people. It is essential to avoid knee-jerk reactions as these may amplify tensions. Practice active listening before responding. Often, people just want to be heard and know that you take their concerns seriously.
• Monitor entrances & bottleneck areas. It is critical to keep traffic flow moving to avoid bottlenecks. Monitoring the flow will help you identify problems or suspicious behavior before they become issues.
• Partner with staff. Ensure you check in regularly with store or venue managers to gain critical intel from their perspective. Consistent communication strengthens teamwork, which will, ultimately, make your job easier.
• Know emergency & evacuation procedures. Review emergency plans and protocols before starting a new post. Understand what equipment is available, where it is kept, and how to use it. Know your exit routes and liaise with on-site stakeholders to coordinate responses.
Pro tip: Practice the “Safety Triangle:” Position, Presence, and Preparedness.
WHEN TEMPERS SPIKE: SMART RESPONSE STRATEGIES
Tempers flare quickly during the holidays. Your job is to maintain order and take control of the situation. Approaching each incident with calm professionalism will help to turn down the heat.
Here are some tips to inform your response:
• Control your tone and body language. A calm, even tone and non-threatening body language are essential and will often be the catalyst to dial down the emotional quotient of the situation.
• Acknowledge emotions without taking sides. Empathy and active listening are essential in tense situations. Be non-judgmental, listen first before responding, and try to put yourself in their shoes. It is critical not to jump to conclusions based on your own emotions or unconscious bias. Treat every individual equally.
Phrases to use may include:
“I understand your frustration; let’s find a solution together,” or “Let’s step over here where we can talk without blocking the line.”
• Avoid physical contact unless required for safety. Unwarranted physical contact will almost always ratchet up the tension in a challenging situation—and it may also become a legal point of contention should the altercation escalate.
• Know when to call for backup. Understanding the legal limits of your job will help you avoid safety issues and legal challenges. Call for backup as soon as you know those limits have been reached.
THE PARKING PATROL BRIEF
Congested lots mean more safety risks. It’s not just people jockeying for better parking spots; there’s also a higher potential for theft, assault, and vandalism as thieves target holiday shoppers.
Guard visibility is often enough of a deterrent to prevent these incidents, so prioritize your parking patrols and monitor CCTV alerts to improve response times. Here are a few additional tips to keep in mind:
• Wear high-viz reflective gear to ensure drivers and pedestrians see you.
• Be sure to layer up if you’re working outside in the cold. Choose high-performance winter gear that keeps you warm over long hours.
• Watch for unsafe drivers. Parking rage, road rage, and distracted pedestrians can lead to tense situations, including injuries and vehicle damage.
• Be on the lookout for suspicious behavior, such as people hanging out in the parking lot, looking inside parked cars, following others, or engaging in unusual interactions.
WELL-BEING ON THE FRONT LINE
Surviving the holiday season requires extra effort on your part. The job will be more intense than usual, so to be at your best, you need to recharge.
Our tips cover strategies for your off-days as well as what you can do during your shift to stay alert and ready for action.
On the job:
• Practice 4-7-8 breathing: breathe in for a count of four, hold for seven, out for eight. Do this periodically throughout the day to maintain focus and de-stress.
• Take frequent breaks to stretch your muscles, especially if you’re sitting or standing in one place through most of your shift.
• Liaise frequently with your co-workers, peers, and the client. Doing so will help reduce stress and stay grounded.
• Stay hydrated and don’t skip meals. Bring your own water and food to ensure you are adequately fueled.
On your days off:
• Don’t fill your days off with a crazy schedule (challenging during the holidays, we know!). Prioritize your own well-being, set boundaries, and take the time to rest and recharge so you can come back strong.
• Prioritize sleep. Extreme fatigue reduces awareness and may impact your response time and observational skills.
• Practice wellness activities like exercise, yoga, deep breathing – anything to keep your mind and body tuned and toned.
HOLIDAY READINESS RESOURCES
Are you ready for the chaos of the season?
Besides bracing yourself, there’s plenty you can do to improve your skills and readiness for the unique challenges you’ll face over the next couple of months. Taking these courses provides guards with significant benefits, including the opportunity to lead their teams with best practices.
Our featured courses this month are:
Holiday Conflict & Crowd Management
This two-hour course provides a foundation in crowd behavior and how guards can guide crowd behavior and movement to reduce the need for crowd control techniques.
Verbal De-Escalation Training
Our two-hour course provides best practices on dealing with difficult people in challenging situations – a scenario that has the holidays written all over it!
Happy Holidays from the Defencify Family to Yours
Your professionalism does not go unnoticed. Your firm, co-workers, clients, and the public all benefit from your commitment to providing a safe and secure environment in which they can work, live, and play.
We hope you can use this month’s tips to stay safe and supported through the most challenging time of the year.
Wishing you and yours a safe holiday season from the Defencify team. Explore our continuing education and training options, and let’s all get ready for a secure and prosperous new year!
