Ashley Hicks, a mother of two from Greenville, South Carolina, shares the safety practices instilled in her by her father, a former Secret Service agent. Growing up under his guidance, she learned to navigate life with a heightened awareness of potential risks. This upbringing taught her valuable lessons about personal safety, leading her to adopt strategies that many may overlook, such as avoiding putting her children’s names on their backpacks and being cautious about social interactions. Her father’s emphasis on “stranger danger” and emergency preparedness has shaped her perspective on safety, which she continues to prioritize as a parent.
As a child, Hicks was educated on the importance of having plans and codewords for safety. For instance, her father taught her that if someone else were to pick her up, they must provide a specific codeword, ensuring she could confirm their identity. This approach extends to her own children; she plans to teach them their names and addresses so they can seek help if they ever become separated. Hicks reflects on how these lessons have made her more vigilant than others, as she considers the worst-case scenarios in everyday situations, always striving to stay prepared and avoid feeling caught off guard.
One of the most impactful lessons from her father was the significance of positioning oneself in a public setting. Hicks avoids sitting with her back to the door, a habit she adopted from her father, who emphasized the need to be aware of exits and possible threats. This consciousness not only helps her feel secure but also allows her to visualize any potential emergencies. Furthermore, she doesn’t let a stranger into her home, especially when being a single woman, and prefers to organize meetings in safe public spaces like police stations to minimize risks.
Hicks also advocates for practical safety measures, such as maintaining a security system. When finances posed challenges during her student years, her father advised her to use stickers to give the impression she had a security system, making her less attractive to potential intruders. Her proactive mindset extends to securing her environment, such as parking under streetlights when out late, illustrating her commitment to safeguarding her family. Understanding her father’s caution as an adult, she now appreciates the need for such precautions, particularly regarding her children’s safety.
As a parent, Hicks has developed nuanced approaches to ensure her family’s security. She emphasizes the need to remain vigilant while managing tasks like buckling her toddler into the car seat. By positioning herself in a way that allows her to keep an eye on her child and her surroundings, she minimizes vulnerability. For instance, she suggests angling the car door to create a barrier between herself and potential threats, demonstrating her strategic thinking in everyday scenarios.
Hicks’s husband, Michael, shares her commitment to safety and carries a registered firearm when they go out. Together, they reinforce the importance of awareness and preparedness in their family dynamics. Ultimately, Hicks’s father aimed to educate rather than instill fear, equipping her with knowledge that empowers her to navigate the world more confidently. Her story underscores a broader conversation about personal safety, highlighting the necessity of being proactive to protect oneself and loved ones.
