Daughter of former secret service agent shares all common daily acts he told her never to do to keep safe
You'd probably learn a thing or two if one of your parents was part of a secretive law enforcement agency, and this woman has shared exactly what she picked up from her father.
Ashley, a woman from Washington D.C., revealed that her father was a Secret Service agent and that he advised her to avoid doing a number of things in order to stay safe.
Apparently, these common everyday tasks can put you in danger, according to the 36-year-old American.
She explained that her father spent a quarter of a century protecting key political figures and sniffing out any major threats that would affect the nation's 'financial infrastructure'.
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Due to the tips that he shared, she approaches life and everyday tasks a bit differently to most, though she has a lot of reasoning behind it all.
She explained to the Daily Mail: "The United States Secret Service entails two primary missions: protective services and criminal investigations."
Essentially, the former encompasses the safety of the US President and Vice President, their families, and former Presidents.
The latter 'investigates threats to the nation’s financial infrastructure', as Ashley revealed her father worked on both sides.
But Ashley said that he learned how to keep himself and others safe, passing advice down to her to follow suit, highlighting 'situational awareness'.
What should you avoid doing?
Ashley explained: "When entering a room, take a few seconds to locate the entrances and exits, know what is around you, and who’s around you.
"[He also taught us] to always use our gut - if a situation feels off, it likely is."
Sharing your location publicly, or in real time, can be a hazard to your safety, even if it's only on social media.
She said she would never 'run alone in the dark' and urged people not to think 'it won’t happen to me because I’m too smart, young, strong, etc'.
How to avoid being the victim of a crime
Ashley went on: "[My dad] always encouraged us to have a plan. [I'd also never] linger near my car, in my car, or in a parking lot.
"We were raised to walk with intention, get in our vehicles, lock the door and leave."
At the same time though, while you should be aware of any threats, Ashley said she would not let fear 'stop her from doing what she loves', adding that being the victim of random crimes are low.
Simple things to avoid
Names on backpacks are a no-no, while facing the door in public settings is a must for the 36-year-old.
"You want to be alert. You want your back towards the wall to be able to visualise the entrances," she highlighted.
Listing items on Facebook Marketplace or being picked up at your house by a date are also things you should avoid.
"When I first started dating, my dad would say before you know their intentions, to say 'I’ll meet you there'," Ashley explained, saying that without her father's advice, she would have let them pick her up.
Joshua Nair