Keeping Your Family Safe During a Terrorist Attack

While many of us in the UK and around the world anticipate future terror attacks, few of us will have considered any type of family emergency plan in place. It is highly unlikely that any of us will forget the 7 July 2005 London bombings (often referred to as 7/7) and most recently On 26 June 2015, an Islamist mass shooting attack in Tunisia to mention only a few. (Follow this link for more examples)

After attacks and incidents such as these, often ask themselves how can I keep my family safe and ask, “What would I do?” So, if we think or believe terrorist attacks are inevitable, why do so few of us prepare themselves? The answer may lie in the term “terrorist attack” itself.

There is no single, universally accepted, definition of terrorism. One definition of Terrorism is the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.’” It is difficult to be fully prepared for something when it’s not clear exactly what it is that you’re preparing for or when it is going to happen.

Examples of Acts of Terrorism :

• Assassinations
• Kidnappings
• Hijackings
• Bomb scares and bombings
• Cyber attacks (computer-based)
• The use of chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological weapons

High-Risk Targets for Acts of Terrorism:

• Military and civilian government locations
• International airports
• Large cities
• High-profile landmarks
• Large public gatherings
• Water and food supplies
• Utilities
• Corporate centers
• Mailings (explosives or chemical/biological agents may be sent through the mail