Safety During a Violent Incident

Use these suggestions to safety plan for a violent or explosive incident.

1. Try to move to a place with an exit.  Avoid rooms with no outside access.
2. Try to move out of a bathroom, kitchen, garage or other room with potential weapons.
3. Practice getting out of your home safely.  Identify safe exits including which door, windows, staircase, and elevator to use.
4. If possible, have a bag packed that you store at a friend’s home.  See below for a checklist of items you may want to store somewhere else.  Cautiously make copies. 
5. If safe, identify one or more neighbors you can tell about the violence.  Ask them to contact the police if they hear disturbance coming from your home.
6. Devise a code word with family, friends, children and neighbors when you need the police.  Teach your children how to call 911.
7. Decide and plan where you will go if you have to leave your home.