Ashley Hicks didn’t have your average childhood. Her father was a Secret Service agent, protecting multiple U.S. presidents across his 25-year career. When he wasn’t traveling for work, he drilled his family on safety strategies, which Ashley now shares on her TikTok account (@ashleyy4236). In a video which already has 23,000+ views, Ashley shared several safety tips for traveling with her own children.

Know where the exits are located

Hicks said first and foremost, she takes stock of any building she enters. “Take a few seconds just to note the exits, just in case I need to get out of the store or a place in a hurry.”

I’ll add that buildings with restricted sections (such as a restaurant with a kitchen or a theater with a backstage) often have an exit for that section. If this is the case, it may be the least crowded exit during the panic of an emergency.

Be aware, even while buckling kids in

Hicks notes that the moment she’s buckling her children into their car seats can be an especially vulnerable one. “Another thing I do when I’m by myself loading my kids in and out of the car is I’ll put her in the car seat and then I try and angle myself so that I’m looking out…that way I can see who’s coming at me or approaching me from a parking lot, and I don’t have my back turned.”

The same advice applies to other moments when most people default to ignoring their surroundings. This includes tasks such as fueling up your car or withdrawing cash from an ATM.

Minimize walking distance

Wherever you’re traveling, a bit of planning ahead of time can minimize long parking lot walks. Hicks is especially aware of the long hike to return a grocery store cart. “If I know I’m going to be using a cart, I park as close to the cart return as I can get.”

A plan if the kids get separated

Finally, Hicks has begun to teach her kids to be aware of their own safety. A situation they may well face is getting separated from their parents. Luckily, they have a plan.

“I teach my son to look for the helper: Look for somebody with a stroller. It’s usually a safe bet, and they’re well equipped to handle a child who’s separated from their parent. If you get separated from mom in the grocery store, look for a woman with a child.”

MotorBiscuit has reached out to @ashleyy4236 for comment. You can see her safety tips video embedded below: