South Carolina daughter of Secret Service agent…
The daughter of a secret service agent has revealed issues she would never do to keep secure – including placing her children’ names on backpacks and having her back to the door in a restaurant.
Ashley Hicks’, 36, dad labored for the Secret Service for 25 years before he retired during the Obama administration.
She was introduced up “considering things that other people don’t think about” and was advised to never settle for a elevate from a stranger unless they gave a code phrase.
Ashley Hicks shared the protection suggestions she realized from her father, a former Secret Service agent. Ashley Hicks / SWNS
Now a mom of two children – aged two and three – Hicks will never put their names on their backpacks to defend their id and avoids turning her back when buckling up her toddler in the car seat.
She says she stays “aware” of her environment at all occasions and considers the “worst case scenario” as she “never wants to be caught off guard”.
Hicks, who works in the healthcare sector, from Greenville, South Carolina, mentioned: “I don’t contemplate myself road sensible.
“It’s been driven into us to have a plan,” Hicks mentioned. “I’m more aware than the average person. It’s about considering worst case scenarios as you never want to be caught off guard.”
Hicks remembers her dad drilling “stranger danger” into her when she was younger.
“We had code names for pick up,” the mom mentioned. “We were told if someone else comes to pick you up they need the code name. We had no names on backpacks. It was little things to keep us safe.”
An image of Hicks and her father standing in entrance of a door at The White House. Ashley Hicks / SWNS
Hicks now never sits with her back in the direction of the door in a public space – in case of any fire, taking pictures or emergency state of affairs.
“My dad always took that position and now I do,” Hicks added. “It’s so you can see. You want to be alert. You want your back towards the wall to be able to visualize the entrances.”
Hicks would also never promote something on Facebook Marketplace as a solo girl residing alone.
If she did need to meet a stranger, she was taught to organise the assembly at a police or fire station.
“My dad always said don’t let a stranger come to your house,” Hicks mentioned. “When I first started dating, my dad would say before you know their intentions to say ‘I’ll meet you there’. If it wasn’t for my dad I probably wouldn’t have thought twice about letting them pick me up. It does take away the naivety of growing up. You’re always preparing for the worst case scenario.”
Hicks was at all times taught to have a security system and when she couldn’t afford one as a graduate pupil her dad prompt she put stickers up to recommend she had one – to make her much less of a goal.
Hicks claimed she is at all times conscious of her environment. Ashley Hicks / SWNS
If she has to be out late in the darkish alone she’s going to attempt and park under a road mild.
Now as a guardian, she understands why her dad was so cautious.
“Growing up I thought he was so overprotective,” Hicks mentioned. “Now I totally get it. A big one is the safety of putting your kids in their car seats with your back turned. If you’re with your kid and by yourself park close to the buggy park.”
“Open the car door so it makes an angle and put your back against the door hinges facing towards your kid. You’re facing your kid but your chest is out towards the parking lot. You can pull the cart in front of you too. No one can hide behind you because of the angle,” Hicks continued.
Hicks and her husband, Michael, have two children. Ashley Hicks / SWNS
Hicks will also drill into her children their names and addresses when they’re outdated enough so if they get separated, they will get help.
Her husband, Michael, 36, who works in gross sales, will also carry a registered firearm with them if they exit.
Hicks says her dad never needed to “scare” her but desires them to bear in mind so they will keep secure.
Things Hicks will never do:
Have her back to the door of a restaurant / public space.
Put her children’ names on their backpacks.
Turn her back when buckling her child into the car seat.
Let a stranger come to her home – e.g. from Facebook Marketplace.
Things she’s going to do:
Have a security system or buy stickers to make it appear like you could have one if you possibly can’t afford it.
Make sure her children know their names and addresses by coronary heart when they’re outdated enough.
Prepare for the worst case state of affairs.
Park under a road lamp if she is out late at evening alone.
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