3 Personal Safety Habits I Use Every Day in Public

Safety Tips for Families in Public

Let’s face it—being a parent in public means having a million things on your mind. From wrangling bags and kids to dodging distractions like texts and notifications, staying safe can easily slip down the list. But it doesn’t have to.

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Over the years, I’ve built a few personal safety habits that help me stay aware and protect my family—especially when I’m tired or distracted. These habits are simple, effective, and I practice them every time I leave the house.

Here are the three secure habits I use daily that can help keep you from being a target.

1. Check Around Your Car: The 5 and 25 Yard Scan

Before I ever open my car door in a parking lot, I check my surroundings. I’ve got those little circular blind spot mirrors on my car, and I use them. First, I check the immediate area next to my car—five yards out. Is anyone standing nearby? Hiding? Waiting?

Then I scan 25 yards out to see what’s happening in the larger environment. This gives me a sense of who’s nearby and whether anything feels off.

I didn’t come up with this alone—Patrick McNamara calls this the “Five and 25 Rule,” and it’s stuck with me. It’s a fast, powerful habit that sets the tone for awareness.

2. Look Up and Out—Not Down and In

Our phones are useful, but they’re a huge distraction. If your face is in your phone, you’re “down and in.” That’s the opposite of how we need to be in public. I want my eyes, ears, and brain tuned into what’s happening around me, not buried in a screen.

Besides, staying alert isn’t just about spotting bad guys—it’s about avoiding ridiculous stuff, like tripping into fountains or open manholes (yes, I’ve seen the videos). Your situational awareness keeps you physically safe and socially sharp.

This habit matters even more in summer when we’re watching our kids at the pool. Don’t scroll. Be present. Be up and out.

3. Notice What Doesn’t Fit

The folks at the Human Behavior Podcast call this spotting “incongruent signals.” I just think of it as noticing what doesn’t belong. It could be someone acting strangely, a missing item, or a situation that doesn’t match its surroundings. For example:

Let’s say you’re at Best Buy and a car pulls up near the front—pretty normal. But then three people jump out all at once, wearing hoodies and masks. That’s not normal. They rush inside, leaving the car doors open.

Now you’ve got a decision to make. For me, it’s simple: I get back in my car and leave. Then I call the cops.

Most people in a parking lot are locking their cars, grabbing their wallets, and heading inside. Anything outside of that pattern deserves your attention. It might not be a crime, but it’s something you need to recognize, understand, and evaluate—quickly.

You Can't to Be Switched On 24/7

Let’s be real—none of us are perfectly alert all the time. I’ve studied this stuff for years and even I get tired, distracted, or lost in thought trying to figure out dinner.

That’s why I rely on habits. These security habits help fill in the gaps when my attention isn’t at 100%. They’re simple, repeatable, and they work—even when I’m off my game.

So give them a try. Build them into your day. And remember: awareness isn’t about paranoia. It’s about being ready.

Watch: 3 Personal Safety Habits I Use Every Day in Public