Every time you take your young child into the community, whether at the grocery store, pharmacy, or even for a walk around the neighborhood, their safety is your number one priority.
Babies require so much – car seats, strollers, bottles, blankets, and more. Between feedings and fussing, as the mom to a young child, you're the perfect target for someone who wants to harm others. That's why keeping safety top of mind is crucial.
We spoke to two professionals in the security and survival industries to learn about the safety tips that all moms of young children should practice when out and about.
Avoid distractions
Being distracted while out with your young child will happen, but you want to keep those distractions to a minimum. Gene Petrino, retired SWAT commander and co-owner of Survival Response LLC, teaches people how to survive unthinkable situations.
He says, "Hold your head up and make eye contact with everyone you see. Criminals don't want to be identified and are looking for victims who aren't paying attention to their surroundings."
Reduce what you carry
Along the lines of avoiding distractions, you also want to minimize the items you carry. While the large diaper bag, stroller, car seat, and other items are typical for moms with young kids, it also makes you more vulnerable, and criminals know it.
Glen Bhimi is the CEO of BPS Security, offering corporate security services. He says, "Your best bet is to leave those items in the car if you can and only carry what you need. Criminals are looking for easy targets, and a distracted, over-burdened individual is an easy target."
Another recommendation by Bhimi is to use an infant wrap carrier.
"While strollers are useful, your most secure and safe manner of bringing your infant out with you is to use an infant wrap carrier because it allows you to keep track of your child without constantly having to look back at the stroller," Bhimi adds.
Make a scene
"Criminals do not like attention because it increases the chances of them being caught," says Petrino.
"Yell and scream for them to get away and put up a fight if they attack. Criminals are cowards and want easy prey. Don't let that happen," Petrino adds.
Never worry about making a scene or overreacting prematurely. When it comes to your safety and your child's safety, it's better to overreact than to underreact. It just might save your life.
Always trust your instincts
You might have heard the saying, "Mother knows best," and when it comes to knowing something's wrong, that's often true. It's common for people involved in dangerous situations to have a gut feeling right before it happens. You want to act on that feeling.
Petrino says, "Our brains are hardwired to pick up on threats that we may not consciously realize at the time. Don't ignore those warning signs."
While we wish we could simply enjoy time in the community with our young ones without the threat of harm, crime a sad reality. Implementing these safety practices and more can help keep you, and the little ones you hold dear, safe.
