Safety blanket

“Safety blanket” is a term used to describe a physical thing a person uses to feel safe and comfortable. This comes from children’s desire to carry a blanket around with them. Linus in Peanuts carries around a blanket; that’s his “safety blanket.”

As we grow older, we don’t carry around a physical blanket. However, we use “safety blanket” to mean anything (or any other person) that gives a feeling of safety and comfort. Many people say their spouses are their safety blankets. Others say that photos and other memories are like a safety blanket.