Do You Have a Family Safety Plan?
As parents, one of our biggest responsibilities is keeping our families safe. But here’s the tricky balance—we want to protect our kids without raising them in fear. Yes, there are dangers in the world, but there’s also so much good. Sunsets, kind neighbors, laughter, answered prayers—these are the things we want our kids to notice most.
Our role is to teach them wisdom and awareness while encouraging them to enjoy the beautiful world God created. When we lead with calm confidence, our kids learn to face life with courage, not fear.
Here are 10 practical ways you can protect your family while also preparing your children to live boldly and safely.
1 – Teach Awareness, Not Fear
One of the first lessons I taught my girls was: “Don’t live in fear, but always live aware.”
People who appear distracted or insecure are more likely to be targeted, while those who stay alert and confident are less vulnerable.
At the park, we practiced observation skills before getting out of the car. I’d ask: “What do you notice? Anything unusual?” Once they spotted a lone van by the bathrooms, and another time a child without a visible parent. These exercises taught them to trust their instincts and pay attention.
Practical tips:
- Lock doors and use alarms.
- Be aware of people and surroundings.
- Trust your gut—if something feels “off,” leave.
- Carry yourself with confidence.
Awareness is one of the simplest and strongest safety tools.
2 – Create an Family Emergency Plan
Kids feel safer when they know what to do. Having a plan reduces panic and builds confidence.
Keep conversations age-appropriate—teach without scaring. Remind them that while bad things make the news, most of the world is filled with good and beautiful things.
Ideas for your emergency plan:
- Take a family self-defense class (this gave my daughters so much confidence!).
- Practice fire drills, safe exits, and meeting points.
- Pack a simple “go bag” with essentials.
- Give every family member a role so kids feel capable, not helpless.
Need help? Click HERE for Free info on Bug Out Bag Essentials
3 – Make a Contact List (on Paper!)
In a world of smartphones, most of us don’t memorize phone numbers anymore. But what if your phone dies or gets lost?
Print and protect an emergency contact list (think baggies). Update it yearly. Keep one copy at home and another in your emergency bag.
Some good contact information to have for reference:
- Local Emergency Management Office
- County Law Enforcement
- County Public Safety Fire/Rescue
- State, County and City/Town Government
- Local Hospitals
- Local Utilities
- Local American Red Cross
- Your Property Insurance Info
Click HERE for a printable Emergency Contact List
Keep important numbers near your phone – These include poison control, pediatrician, your work and cell phone numbers, and a neighbor or nearby relative.
4 – Have a Way to Keep in Touch
Not all kids are ready for smartphones, but they still need a way to reach you in emergencies. Here are a couple ideas that may help.
- The Gabb Wireless Phone. It’s a worry-free phone with only the crucial things a kid needs: talk, text, camera, music, clock, calculator, etc. Basically, no social media and internet. Yay!!!
- Walkie-talkies – great for after-school check-ins if you live nearby.
- Small GPS trackers you can throw into their backpacks or pocket so you can locate them at any time.
5 – Take a CPR / 1st Aid Class
If there was a true medical emergency would you know what to do? Sometimes the few minutes before an ambulance reaches your home are the most crucial ones, and what you know can make all the difference.
To be ready and to help keep your kids safe in a medical emergency, it’s smart to:
Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the abdominal thrust procedure (Heimlich maneuver)
Assemble a first aid kit with emergency instructions
6 – Talk About Stranger Danger
Stranger danger talks can be tough—but they’re necessary.
Instead of making kids fearful, give them simple tools:
- Practice saying “No” firmly.
- Consider a self-defense class for kids.
- Teach them to run, yell, and find help if approached by a stranger.
- Create a family password for emergencies so they know who to trust.
A family password or code for those times you truly need to send someone they don’t know to come get them is very useful. Come up with some phrase that your kids and you can remember in an emergency situation. Then if anyone comes up to your kids and says their mom needs help and they are supposed to get in that person’s car right now, they’ll know to run the other way if they don’t hear the code word.
7 – Discuss Pornography & Sex (Before their friends do it for you!)
Protecting our kids also means preparing them spiritually and emotionally. The average age of exposure to pornography is shockingly young, and if we don’t start the conversation, someone else will.
Helpful resources:
- Good Pictures, Bad Pictures – (teaches kids how to guard their minds).
- How to Talk to Your Child About Sex (faith-based and age-appropriate).
These conversations build an internal filter, which is even more important than external ones.
8 – Put Internet Filters on Devices
You can’t block every negative influence online—but you can set up guardrails.
Tips:
- Place TVs, computers, and gaming systems in shared spaces.
- Limit unsupervised access to devices.
- Use internet filters like Net Nanny, Bark, or Mobicip.
Most importantly, pair boundaries with open conversations so kids know why these protections are in place.
9 – Teach Children About Gun Safety
Even if you don’t own a firearm, your child may encounter one at a friend’s house.
Teach them this simple rule: “Stop. Don’t touch. Leave the area. Tell an adult.”
If you do own firearms, follow your state’s laws and store them securely—unloaded, locked, and out of reach. Portable gun safes for cars are another great option.
Gun safety is less about fear and more about respect, responsibility, and preparedness.
10- Role-Play Different Scenarios
Knowledge is important, but practice is powerful.
Set aside time to role-play safety plans:
- Fire escape drills. (Using an emergency ladder.)
- What to do if a stranger approaches.
- How to call 911 and share their address.
Role-play reduces fear and builds confidence, giving kids the chance to ask questions and rehearse real responses.
Final Thoughts
Protecting your family isn’t about living in fear—it’s about living wisely. By creating plans, having honest conversations, and practicing safety skills, you equip your children to face the world with courage, not anxiety.
Most of all, remember this: you are not alone. God is your family’s protector and guide. As Psalm 18:2 says, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer.”
With His wisdom and your preparation, your family can live safely and confidently—embracing both the beauty and the challenges of this world.
