Parents will do anything to keep their children safe, and some have come up with surprisingly clever ways to do it. From secret phrases to emergency signals, these tricks help kids ask for help without drawing attention — and sometimes they’ve even saved lives. One girl was rescued after using a hand signal for danger she learned online.

Many parents shared their own safety codes. One dad, worried about being forced to steal money, taught his kids to ask, “Is Grandpa okay?” — even though both grandfathers were gone. Another family used a code word for strangers picking up the kids, but the dad kept forgetting it, so anything related to “birdbath” became acceptable.

Some families created food-based distress signals. In one home, asking for pizza meant “pick me up soon,” while asking for fish and chips meant “come NOW.” Another parent set a secret text: “I left something upstairs” — even though they lived in a one-story house — as an SOS to come get their child immediately.

Others relied on shared jokes or stories. One girl used the word “velvet” because she once met a creepy man in a velvet tracksuit. Another child pretended to check on her D&D character when she needed to leave a sleepover. Whether through code words, funny phrases, or a parent always willing to “be the bad guy,” these families proved that safety and creativity can go hand-in-hand.