This Help Sheet will help you to think about planning for your safety in an emergency.
You can also use it to record details of your own safety plan. The information here is a guide to help you think about what may work for your circumstances.
A safety plan is a plan of action covering what you can do to protect yourself if you are faced with an abusive situation. It includes who to contact for help and what to take if you have to leave in a hurry.
Of course, safety planning is not a guarantee of safety, but being prepared will help you take the steps you need to protect yourself in an emergency.
Think about safe places in your local area and how you may get there. Perhaps you can walk to a neighbour’s home or to a local shop or community centre where you can call for help. Think about where you can stay and how to get there. Try to have a few options for places to go where there are people who can help.
It may include essential medications, copies of important paperwork, keys, clothing and other items from your list of things to take in an emergency.
Share your code with trusted neighbours or family members and ask them to call 000 (or another appropriate response) when you use the code.
Think about how pets can be removed to safety and be cared for.
These may include money, spare keys, clothes and copies of important documents. This will help you to leave quickly.
Think about the safest way to get out. Consider danger areas such as where weapons are kept, rooms with only one way out and areas with no telephone.
Do you need to avoid stairs? It can help to visualise and practice the way out.