Exploring Family and Travel Safety with Jason Brick
Jason Brick, the host of the podcast Safest Family on the Block and author of the books like There I Was When Nothing Happened, joined us for an insightful conversation. Jason’s unique background as a martial arts instructor, security consultant, and journalist gives him a well-rounded perspective on safety. Here’s what we learned from our discussion.
Watch: Jason Brick Interview on The Secure Dad Podcast
Life in Crete: A Year of Discovery and Safety
Recently, Jason and his family spent a year living in Crete, Greece. This experience inspired his upcoming book, Safest Family on the Block, which focuses on travel safety for families. When asked what motivated the move, Jason shared that a life-changing opportunity to live abroad earlier in his life sparked a desire to offer the same enriching experience to his children.
"Going and spending significant time abroad in a place where you don’t speak the language or look like everyone else makes you a bigger, better, braver human being," Jason said.
Crete’s culture, described by Jason as “mellow, slow, and gentle,” offered a unique learning environment. One adjustment, he noted, was the cultural norm of not rushing diners in restaurants—a sharp contrast to the fast-paced dining culture in the U.S.
Preparing for Long-Term Travel
Jason emphasized the importance of preparation when leaving home for an extended period:
Securing Your Home
Jason’s home was occupied by trusted family members, which alleviated concerns about its safety.
He upgraded his home’s camera network and established a system for addressing issues while he was away.
Managing Important Documents
Jason stored essential documents like birth certificates and wills in a secure home safe and backed up digital copies in the cloud.
For travel, he carried physical copies of passports and visas, as well as digital backups on a flash drive and in cloud storage. “If your passport gets dipped on the subway, you still need access to your passport,” Jason advised.
Situational Awareness: At Home and Abroad
When discussing situational awareness, Jason stressed the importance of adapting to new environments. “Baselines change,” he said. For example, the loud conversations typical in Mediterranean cultures might seem alarming to outsiders but are perfectly normal.
Awareness Games
Jason shared a family-friendly method to teach situational awareness:
Identify Four People: Pick the person most likely to cause trouble, the one most likely to be in trouble, the most dangerous person, and the safest person to approach for help.
His wife’s version of this game, the “Zombie Game,” involves identifying who you’d team up with in a zombie apocalypse.
“We learn better when gaining information in a game,” Jason said, noting that it’s also less exhausting than constantly being in high-alert “condition yellow.”
Watching Local Cues
Jason’s key advice for travelers: Observe how locals behave. “If you walk into a space and there are no families there, go to a different space,” he suggested. Similarly, if locals abruptly leave an area, it’s wise to follow.
Handling Emergencies While Traveling
Preparation months in advance is critical for managing emergencies abroad:
Research the emergency numbers and customs of your destination. Jason recommended taping the local emergency number to the back of your phone.
Practice emergency plans with your family so everyone has a role. “This is empowering and reduces the chances of additional problems,” Jason said.
In a crisis, Jason’s advice is to:
Remain calm.
Follow the plan you prepared.
Look for help from local resources, including expat groups.
Tips for Safe Transportation
Transportation is often a risky part of travel. Jason offered several tips:
Research Local Customs: Understand the DUI laws and transportation scams in your destination.
Keep a Low Profile: Avoid flaunting valuables or counting money in public.
Use Technology Wisely: Use navigation apps like Waze to track your route and show drivers that you’re aware.
For women traveling alone, Jason suggested calling someone and mentioning details about the driver and route. “This can deter anyone with bad intentions,” he explained.
Encouraging Reluctant Travelers
Jason’s final message to hesitant travelers was encouraging:
“The world is much safer than we’ve been led to believe. There are ways to travel almost anywhere and be safe.”
He recommended taking small steps outside your comfort zone and relying on resources like expat groups and guided tours to ease into travel. “Traveling makes you a bigger, better, braver human being,” Jason concluded.
For more tips and insights, visit Jason’s website at safestfamilyontheblock.org. You can also find his podcast on YouTube. Jason is always happy to answer questions about safety, heavy metal, or tabletop role-playing games.
Also consider reading the travel advisories issued by the Department of State.
