Safety Lessons from a Secret Service Family

The daughter of a retired Secret Service agent has shared some unique safety precautions she learned growing up. Ashley Hicks, now 36, reflects on how her father’s long career influenced her outlook on security, particularly for her own children.

Hicks recounts her childhood, mentioning how she was raised to think about safety in a way many might overlook. For instance, she was taught never to accept rides from strangers unless she received a specific codeword. This practice instilled a heightened sense of caution in her from an early age.

As a mother of two young children, aged 2 and 3, Hicks continues to implement these lessons. She deliberately avoids putting their names on their backpacks to maintain their privacy. Additionally, she’s cautious not to turn her back on her kids when securing them in their car seats, a practice that seems routine but holds significant importance to her.

Hicks describes herself as someone who is always observant, aware of her surroundings. She admits to often considering worst-case scenarios, a habit that has stemmed from her father’s teachings. “I think I’m more aware than your average person,” she says, emphasizing that this constant vigilance is essential to avoid being caught off guard.

She recalls the early lessons about the “dangers of strangers,” where codewords became a household norm. “If someone was supposed to pick us up, we needed a code to confirm it. Little details like not having our names on bags were just small steps to keep us safe,” she explains.

Another habit she picked up from her father is to always face the entrance when seated in public places. Hicks believes this position allows for better awareness of one’s environment, especially in case of emergencies. “He always said you should be able to see the door,” she adds.

When it comes to sharing items for sale, she doesn’t meet strangers at home, opting instead for public spots like police stations. Her father’s advice still echoes in her mind: always be cautious about whom you invite into your space, especially when it comes to dating or selling items online. “I wouldn’t have thought to meet anywhere else if it weren’t for his guidance,” she admits.

Hicks also emphasizes the importance of having a security system. When she was a graduate student and couldn’t afford one, her father suggested she might place a sticker on her door to give the impression of having a system in place. It’s these small measures that gave her a sense of security.

Being a parent has shifted Hicks’s perspective significantly. “I used to think he was overly protective, but now I understand why,” she reflects. As she teaches her own kids safety protocols, she can see the wisdom in her father’s cautious approach.

For example, she advises always approaching her children from a certain angle when opening car doors, emphasizing safety and awareness in these everyday situations. “You should always be mindful of how you position yourself in relation to your child,” she explains.

As her children grow older, Hicks plans to ensure they’re aware of their names and address, preparing them for unforeseen circumstances. Her husband, Michael, contributes to the safety narrative as well, keeping registered firearms when they are out together.

Hicks clarifies that her father’s intentions were never to scare her, but rather to instill a mindset focused on safety. The protective lessons stayed with her, shaping the kind of parent she aims to be.

Some of her strict safety rules include:

• Never placing her back to the door in a restaurant or public space.
• Not putting her children’s names on their backpacks.
• Avoiding carrying her children while securing them in their car seats.
• Refraining from allowing strangers into her home, particularly when selling items online.

On the flip side, she actively makes choices like:

• Using a sticker to suggest she has a security system even when she doesn’t.
• Ensuring that her children know their names and address as they grow.
• Staying prepared for worst-case scenarios.
• Choosing to park under streetlights if she’s out late at night.