What can I do to make things safe, short-term and long-term? Help me make a list

[Anonymous]

I found there was little I could do to make things safe. Mine was clear that they would break windows or get glass out of neighbors recycling to do damage. I resorted to tactics that would delay the ability to attack me and tactics for us to escape.

Also I had no issues with calling 911 and involving the police. But they took time to respond so I needed a great plan. Our community police were much more interested in getting help than punishing. They always took my kid to the hospital. Only issue is that it was in handcuffs but honestly when things are so bad that you have to resort to the police carting your child off, handcuffs become the least of your concerns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:install cameras

window-opening chimes, glassbreak alarms on windows

all meds, knives, and chemicals in locked room or lockbox

switch to an electric stove (less chance of gas leaks, fire, or filling the house with gas)

hardwired smoke detectors and CO monitors

By chemicals do you also mean cleaning supplies? Thank you for this.

You have to lock EVERYTHING up. They make small locks you can install on kitchen/bathroom cabinets and drawers. They look like the locks you see on a filing cabinet. Change all closets to key locks. Lock all doors when not in use. If you walk into the living room you should see couch, table, tv. No lamps, pillows, blankets, or other items that can be thrown or used to hurt themselves. Eliminate everything. In the dining room a table and chairs. Kitchen a table and chairs. Literally nothing is accessible without a key. You might even consider locking all but 1 bathroom. I’ve seen kids rip toilets out of the floor, depending on what you need consider everything. You can get covers for wall tvs that prevent them from being broken. Take away all mirror’s and replace with plastic mirrors, no pictures or picture frames. You can use those wall stickers for decoration. Door alarms or internal deadbolts. Windows alarms or bolted shut. Think of it as nothing is safe if it can be thrown. Buy heavy duty furniture keep it minimal. This is the kind of furniture I’d get:



Minus the pillows, curtains, pictures, etc. “this end up “ Company makes it. You can’t rip the cushions and you can’t flip the furniture (you’d have to be very strong). Also waterproof if they throw something. They make beds, dressers, dining sets, etc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Remove matches and lighters

For storing items, safes are more expensive, but heavier than lockers, making them harder to pick up and throw. I prefer one with a keypad because keys can be stolen

I was about to purchase one of those medicine lock boxes but safes make more sense. Thank you!

For medicine you want to double or triple lock it. Find a room you can keep locked majority of the time. Inside that room put a large locked cabinet. Inside that cabinet put all the meds for the child in a tackle box with a lock on it. Keep other meds in another box, keep your own meds in a separate box. Keep your first aid kit in there with some ipicac, narcan, etc. Don’t ever let your keys out of your sight. Keep poison control number handy.

[Anonymous]

What are the doctors saying? Medication? Institute? What is the child diagnosed with? What therapy is the child in? What is school like?

I have a ton of questions but I guess I am thinking long term. Short term, call the police. Long term, you have to have a plan for your child. Your other children need it

[Anonymous]

OP, this is hard. I just want to say that you’re doing a great job. You’re reaching out for help and redoing your while life to help your dc. Hang in there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Remove matches and lighters

For storing items, safes are more expensive, but heavier than lockers, making them harder to pick up and throw. I prefer one with a keypad because keys can be stolen

I was about to purchase one of those medicine lock boxes but safes make more sense. Thank you!

This is PP. Just remember that lock boxes and safes can be seen as an offense or an escalation on your part. So plan carefully how you talk about it, where you put it, etc. Like a PP said, you can't make any home totally foolproof. You need a behavioral plan too.