emergency

Safe Exit Strategies

A practical guide for leaving safely—either briefly or permanently.

exitemergency

SAFETY PLANNING

Leaving quickly

These options focus on getting out fast with minimal preparation.

Identify the nearest exit in each room you regularly use.
Practice moving from common areas (kitchen, living room) to the safest exit in your mind.
Keep keys, phone, and a basic ID (or copy) in one consistent, easy-to-grab place.
Choose clothing and shoes that are easy to move in and keep a spare set hidden if possible.
Decide in advance where you would go first if you needed to leave without notice.
Consider a small “go item” (like a tote or folder) that can hold:
- Photocopies of key documents
- Prepaid card or small cash if available
- List of important phone numbers
Plan how you would leave if doors were blocked (for example, through a back door, garage, or ground-floor window).
Identify a simple phrase to use with a trusted person to signal that you are leaving quickly and may need help.

These steps focus on times when the other person is not at home or is distracted.

Note regular times when the other person is usually away or occupied.
Decide which of those times is the safest window for you to leave.
Gather and pack items gradually so it is less noticeable:
- Important documents or copies
- Medication and prescriptions
- Small personal items that matter most
Store packed items in a place that is:
- Quick to reach when you are alone
- Unlikely to be checked often
- Possibly outside the home (trusted person, locker, vehicle)
Check your phone settings:
- Location services and sharing settings
- Backup codes for important accounts
- Any tracking apps or shared accounts
Ensure you have:
- Safe transport options (car, rideshare, taxi, public transit)
- Enough fuel or fare to reach your first destination
- A backup option if your main plan fails
Before leaving, quickly check:
- Keys, phone, ID, payment method
- Any essential items for work, school, or medical care

These options focus on planning around children’s needs and safety.

Know where each child usually is at different times (school, daycare, activities, home).
Identify the safest and most predictable time to leave with them (for example, “after school pickup” or “during daycare hours”).
Prepare a small bag for each child if possible:
- Change of clothes
- Essential comfort item (small toy, blanket, or photo)
- Any medications or medical items
Keep copies of each child’s:
- Birth certificate
- Health card or insurance information
- Important school or medical contacts
Plan how you will move with children physically:
- Who walks, who is carried, who uses a stroller or car seat
- How to keep hands free for keys and doors where possible
Consider simple instructions for older children that do not share full details, such as:
- “If I say we are leaving now, put on your shoes and jacket right away.”
- “If we get separated, go to [specific safe person or place].”
Check school or daycare policies about:
- Who is allowed to pick up the child
- How to update emergency contact information
- Any required documentation to change pickup permissions
Plan what you will say if a child repeats information to the other person; keep explanations simple and safety-focused.

Backup routes are alternative ways to leave if your first plan cannot be used.

Map at least two exit routes from your home:
- Primary route (fastest and most direct)
- Secondary route (less obvious but still safe)
Review how to exit:
- Through front and back doors
- Through garage or side gates
- From ground-floor windows that can be opened safely
Notice possible obstacles:
- Locks or deadbolts that are hard to open quickly
- Furniture or items blocking doors or windows
- Areas where you could be easily cornered
Plan routes away from the home:
- Where you would walk or drive first
- Safe public places nearby (stores, libraries, clinics, community centers)
- Points where you could change direction if followed
Consider different times of day:
- Daytime: busier streets vs. quieter side roads
- Nighttime: areas with better lighting and visibility
Include digital backup routes:
- Alternative accounts or devices where you can communicate safely
- A secondary number or email for trusted contacts
Review your plan with a trusted person if it is safe to do so, or compare your options with information from services listed on sites such as DV.Support.

These steps focus on using a vehicle safely as part of your exit plan.

Keep the car ready when possible:
- Fuel at least partly filled
- Basic maintenance up to date if you can manage it
- Spare tire and simple tools accessible
Store non-obvious essentials in the car if it is safe and will not raise suspicion:
- Basic clothing layer or blanket
- Small amount of water and snacks
- Copy of important phone numbers written on paper
Plan where you will put:
- Keys (consistently in one location you can reach fast)
- Phone charger (car charger if possible)
- Any necessary car seats or boosters for children
Think through how you will leave by car:
- How you will reach the car without drawing attention
- Which direction you will drive first
- Where you can stop briefly if you need to regroup
Consider digital and tracking issues:
- If your car has a tracking app or shared account access
- Navigation history that might show destinations
- Any devices in the car that can share your location
If you do not drive or share the car:
- Note nearby public transit routes and schedules.
- Identify taxi or rideshare options and how you would pay.
- Plan walking routes from home to the nearest safe pickup point.

Any exit plan can be adjusted over time. You can review and update these options as your living situation, work, or family arrangements change.