HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – John Sancenito is a security consultant with Harrisburg-based INA. He says on the heels of the Orlando tragedy and other recent events, we need to change our mindset going forward.

“We think a lot about what we would do if we hit the lottery,” Sancenito said. “I would like people to think what would you do if you were faced with a similar situation as the people at Pulse.”

Sancenito says an attack can take place anywhere and it can happen quickly. He says that we all should be aware of our surroundings wherever we go.

“You should always be prepared when you go to a bar or shopping mall or any location,” he said. “Understand where the exits are, and to have a plan to escape if something happens.”

Sancenito says ordinary citizens are not trained to deal with the chaos of an ambush. He says once panic set in during gunfire, some people made the mistake of taking cover in restroom stalls and didn’t have an avenue to escape to safety.

Sancenito, who travels around the world to consult on various safety concerns, says we all need to take a more aggressive approach in being aware of our surroundings.

“All businesses and individuals need to take this as an opportunity to say they are vulnerable,” he said. “It can happen at work or any location, and they need to have a plan to deal with it.”

Sancenito recommends that people visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s website  to learn more on what steps to take in response to an active shooter emergency.