No one wants to think about an intruder in their home, or any other attack, but it is a real possibility. So, instead of thinking it won’t happen to you, it’s better to plan now so that in the event something does happen you and your family will be ready for whatever comes. One of the best ways to do this is to simply establish a family protocol for what to do when something happens. This can include defining roles, outlining an action plan and agreeing on where to meet. Let’s take a look at what you can be doing now to help prepare for an attack we all hope never comes.

Defining roles

Who is going to call the police? Who is going to alert the others? Who is going to try and create a distraction? Talking these things out beforehand can make the difference between keeping your family safe or finding yourself in grave danger. Time is of the essence during an attack, so knowing who is doing what will help save time and allow everyone to get to safety more quickly. It will also help limit confusion and commotion, which will make it easier to hide from the intruder and get somewhere safe without them finding you out.

Outlining an Action Plan

In addition to determining who will do what, it is important to figure out what you will do in each situation. You will act differently if a burglar enters your house or if there is an escaped convict the loose (something that could be a real threat for people living in towns near prisons). You may want to get out of the house or you may want to lock it down. Everything is situation-dependent, and the more you prepare, the less you will need to think about when danger strikes.

Choosing Where to Go

The primary goal when there is danger is finding safety, but you may not always find safety in the same spot. For example, if you are going to stay in your home (or can’t leave), which is the most secure room in the house? Which is the least? Should you consider building a safe room?

Or, if the danger means you need to leave the house, you should agree where everyone will meet. It may be at a neighbor’s house or somewhere else nearby, but the point is to pick somewhere where everyone can get to easily without exposing themselves too much. It may not be possible for everyone to escape at the same time, so having a pre-determined safe spot in mind is a good way to ensure everyone can get away from the danger, even if it’s not possible to do so together.

Hopefully, these plans will go unused; no one wants to think about needing to find safety when in the comfort of their own home. But it’s a crazy world out there, and taking a little time now to prepare could pay huge dividends down the road.