Staying safe while travelling to and from bookings

As a mobile professional who is always on the go, staying safe while commuting to and from your bookings is an essential part of your general safety. Here’s a reminder of the app features as well as general safety guidance to bear in mind when you’re on the road. 

 

Here are your Hero app safety features:

 

Quick access to calling emergency services

If you're ever in an unsafe situation that requires immediate attention, call 999. You can either

  • dial 999
  • if you have an iphone: Press and hold the side button and one of the volume buttons until the Emergency SOS slider appears. Drag the Emergency Call slider to call the emergency services
  • access the emergency services call button via the safety centre in Hero app when in a booking 

 

Share your location with a loved one

You can either do this via the Hero app for a static pin point of the booking location or via Whatsapp for a dynamic tracker.

 

PeopleSafe

PeopleSafe is a service that connects lone workers to a central team in the event of an emergency. It works using wearable GPS devices, so the team can track your location if anything goes wrong. Find out more here.

 

Urban Support

Once you are in a safespace, use the report button to file a report, speak to an agent over chat, or call the emergency phone line during customer support opening hours. 

You can access this by going to Upcoming Booking > Booking Details > Safety Centre > Speak to us.

 

How to find the safety centre 

Go to the profile section of your app and scroll down and hit the 'Safety centre' button. You'll also be able to quickly access the safety centre during a booking by clicking on the banner at the top of your app. 

Don’t forget, you can also access these features before and after the booking.

 

General safety advice

Here’s some useful safety advice taken from the Metropolitan Police crime prevention guidance to consider when you’re out and about:

 

Be prepared

Plan your route in advance as much as possible. Carry a charged mobile phone and cash. Consider carrying a power bank to charge your device if the battery drains while you're out.

 

Be aware

Try and minimise any actions that affect your awareness of your surroundings. For example, calling or texting, wearing a hood or listening to loud music while you are on the move. 

 

Protect your valuables

Where possible, keep your valuables including your mobile phone, other devices, jewellery and wallet, concealed when you’re not using them. This can be tricky when you're using the app to get to your client so make sure you’re aware of your surroundings at all times.

 

Trust your instincts

Try to avoid walking alone at night in places such as parks and side streets or any unfamiliar environments. If you do have to walk, stick to busy places where there is a lot of activity CCTV and good lighting. Planning your route ahead can help you ensure that you stay on the main roads.

 

Take your own water and snacks

To minimise any potential risk, avoid accepting any food or drink from anyone you don’t know well. If you’re at a booking and the client offers you a glass of water, tea or coffee, we recommend politely declining and consuming your own food/drink. 
 

Only go to the address provided in the booking

If a client sends you a message asking you to go to a different address than the one on the original booking, cancel the booking. Our customer cancellation policy will apply so you don't lose out.

 

Public transport safety tips: 

  • Plan your route as much as possible and stay where there are other people and it’s safely lit
  • Sit near other people, near the driver if you are on a bus or near the guard if you’re on a train
  • Take extra care at crowded bus stops, buses and trains. Keep your bag closed and make sure pockets are not accessible
  • If someone makes you feel uncomfortable, get up and move away