Top 10 Safety Tips for Women Living Alone
By Simone Smith
Solitary living can be great fun. Women living alone enjoy more space, greater freedom, and a cozy retreat reserved all for themselves.
That said, living alone has some drawbacks in addition to perks. The biggest downside of solitary life involves personal safety, as women on their own do not have roomies or family to regularly check in on them or keep an eye out for suspicious activity.
To contend with matters of safety, there are some very simple fixes women living alone can employ to ensure their personal security. The major actions one can take are outlined below.
Always Lock Up
Depending on where you live, it might not be de rigueur to lock doors. If you are a woman living alone (or anyone, for that matter), I recommend playing it safe and locking up at night. Even if you do not care for your personal safety, locking up at night can protect your financial safety- after all, even your renter's insurance will not cover you for stolen goods if you did not properly lock up.
Simply make a habit of locking entrances to your home every time you come inside. That way, you won't be so likely to get distracted and forget to lock your doors before going to sleep. Also, be sure to lock your windows whenever they are closed.
Get Curtains
One excellent benefit enjoyed by women living alone is that they are free to dress however they like, presumably because nobody else is looking. But here's the thing- if you don't have or use your curtains, the whole world can see you.
Whether you want to stave off pervy peeping toms or simply keep your tendency to wear stained old sweats and college sweatshirts a secret, it is a good idea to utilize the brilliant masking technology afforded by curtains. This is a simple, but very effective fix.
BONUS: Curtains conceal not only you, but also your expensive widescreen television and large display of diamonds! If folks can't see things, they won't be so tempted to steal them.
Regularly Check in with a Safety Buddy
There is a common joke / unspoken fear amongst women living alone that at some point they'll choke/trip on something and be left alone to die, only to be consumed by pet cats/dogs and discovered two weeks later by neighbors. Clearly there is some danger in living alone in that if something goes wrong - if you don't make it home, or get very sick, or injure yourself - there will be nobody there to notice.
Because there is nobody else to check on you, the best thing to do is create your own check-in system. A protected Twitter feed that you update regarding your whereabouts and that your closest friends and family members follow.
Get Motion-Sensitive Outdoor Lights
A friend of mine once had an issue with someone lurking about outside her bedroom window at night, which is incredibly creepy. Being a very busy and important professional, she did not have time to stake out on her roof with a shotgun to wait for the offender to return, so she installed motion-sensing lights outside her house instead.
The solution is simple and effective - when intruders trip the lights, they get spooked and take off. What's more, whoever is inside will see the lights turn on and will know to be on the lookout. As a note, just be careful to make sure these outdoor lights to not disturb your neighbors.
Install a Home Security System
Many home security system companies market directly to women and it makes complete sense - when one has nobody else to check in on them of some jerk decides to swing by and break a window, it might be nice to have backup.
Much of what these systems offer involves peace of mind - one can simply rest easier knowing that there is backup. But if one lives alone in a somewhat shady area, home security systems could be life-saving - either as a deterrent, or, in a worst case scenario, as a line of final defense.
Meet Your Neighbors
If you get to know those who live around you, you may have some extra people looking out for you. When you move to a new place, make a point of getting to know your neighbors - perhaps bring over some freshly baked cookies or take some time to chat with them when you see them out and about. At the very least, you'll get to know those who live in your neighborhood. At the very best, your neighbors will keep an eye out for you- and you might even make some great friends!
Get a Dog or Cat
Many people consider pet dogs to be home security systems, and for sure, some dogs can offer protection, but it is the friendship and companionship that many pets offer that really makes a difference. Aside from keeping women living alone feeling less, well, lonely, pets also do wonders when it comes to alleviating stress. So if you have the time, resources, and space (and if your landlords allow it), consider getting a pet!
Bonus Tip: Mix it Up!
While you might be monitoring neighborhood patterns, other people might be monitoring your patterns. It is much easier to burglarize a home, snoop around, or engage in other questionable mischief when one knows the patterns of one's victim. By varying your routine and making your patterns unpredictable, you can make yourself less of a target.
Monitor Neighborhood Patterns
A lot of scares can result from seeing a suspicious car or person lurking about at night, and while some of these scares are legitimate, many result form simply not knowing who belongs around your home and who does not.
A simple way to resolve this issue is to pay careful attention to cars, people, and other patterns that take place near and around your home. This way, you will be more likely to take heed when something is not quite right.
Watch Those Keys!
It might seem convenient to give copies of the keys to your home to various friends and helpers, such as cleaning people or delivery people, but be extremely careful when managing your keys. Ideally, only you and people you might consider to be emergency contacts will have keys to your home. That way, you're less likely to be a victim of theft or home invasion... plus you won't be rudely interrupted by over-friendly friends who just decide to let themselves in when they're in the neighborhood!
Bonus Tip: Manage Private Information IRL
Though many of us are concerned about personal information that shows up online, it is equally important to make sure that offline personal information is equally protected. Shred personal documents before putting them out in your recycling, and do not put your phone number or driver's license on personal checks.
Manage Your Social Media Presence
It may be fun to check in on Foursquare and Facebook everywhere you go, but doing so in an uncotrolled manner may let a few too many people know about your whereabouts. Tweeting that you're all alone in your apartment with all the windows open or something... might be a bit unsafe. Also, announcing your impending trip out of town on public social media channels is practically an invitation to thieves who know where you live to help themselves to your collection of expensive electronics/rubies/Star Wars figurines.
Even if all of your social media channels are protected and only friends can see them, you may still want to limit the information you share regarding your present whereabouts. Even friends might ultimately turn on you- clearly that sounds paranoid, but a surprising number of kidnappings, assaults, and murders each year are perpetrated by individuals who know their victims.
Use Common Sense
In the end, it is simply a good idea to keep one's wits about onself- whether living alone or not.
I hope you have found these tips to be helpful, and if you have used any other tactics to protect your personal safety in your own home, feel free to share them in the comments below!
Comments
LOL thanks Hyphenbird! I forgot to edit that before publishing and wrote it just before eating! Must have been a vegetarian slip.
hahahaaaha.... wow what a nice way to receive a feedback Simone. I like you for your funny ways. A sense of humor makes our day. It's morning here in India and I have just checked your hub which is a fantastic guide for women who live alone. Will remain useful to many for years to come.
Humor beats seriousness in my book! Thanks, Soni2006!
Simone, These are useful tips that you've shared here. I was single for a number of years and found what you said about locking up to be quite important, even if you're just going down to the laundry for a moment. You might come back to find an unwelcome guest waiting for you. And about keys, when you use valet parking or have your car serviced, only give them the key to your car and not the whole ring. If someone has the time to rifle the contents of your glove box they may discover where you live and make a duplicate of your house key. Very useful hub. Voted up.
Oh, that's a very smart tip about the keys, PegCole!! Thanks for reading the Hub :D
I have done so many of your tips when I was a single mother. I have a live in boyfriend now and I still do safety things. I am also a Security Guard and know what to do. The curtains are a great way to be safe. I also like the lights too. The other day someone banged on my door and I did not open it, I just said who is it, they did not respond. I said again in a mean tone who is it, they spoke in Spanish, and my boyfriend said get out of here we don't know you. They were the maintaince men, as we told our office and they said they were sorry for disturbing the wrong apartment. I got to the bottom of it fast. They will not do it again. Great hub.
Wow onceuponatime66! I would have been really freaked out if someone banged on my door like that O_O It's a good thing that happened when you were with someone else and not alone, hahaa.
Very good tips. I also never go out alone at night, and always pay attention when walking to my car alone.
Oh yes, those are very smart and important precautions to take!
I lived on my own in the city for years and never thought much about such things. Then I moved to an unfamiliar part of town, and really felt I had to change my ways. Thanks for the pointers.
Thanks for stopping by, RedElf!
Great info.
There are two other tips I have to add. Don't be a creature of habit. If you have easy to follow patterns that some weirdo can track, you automatically become more vulnerable.
Avoid putting your DL and phone number (as well as unit number for apts or condos)on personal checks.
Wonderful tips for our women, they are alone in their house they should be secured to the bad guys. Maybe you don't understand how you help those single women. Outstandingly appreciated, great hub.
GREAT additions, 2FarGone! I'll add them to the Hub!
And thanks naturalsolutions and ColmbnQn!
I signed up for email notices from my local Police Department about area crime trends, major crimes, and especially about new scams perpetrated in town in order to get into homes - like fake AT&T survey takers that knock on the door and want to come in and case the place for valuables as they pretend to survey the resident. It's pretty useful as well.
Great Hub and rated Up and many more. Shared it with followers as well.
Women are seen as fragile creatures who need a man for protection, but if you're living by yourself what a woman needs is to 'man up'.
Excellent hub. My mom always told us to hold onto our purse when out shopping and have our keys in hand when going back out to our car. No standing there searching through the purse at the car. Voted up and useful.
thanks Simone for the great list. As I feel safe now reading your hub, I have to vote up
drspaniel's comment above is interesting, ' ie. single woman living alone needs to 'man up'.
We are all subject to violence in the world today, men and women. What I get from the 'man up' advice is the suggestion (if even possible) that a woman should try to think like man, in terms perceiving the world as a hostile environment in which violence and aggression are natural elements.
...perhaps in line with the thinking (that I assume is behind this advice) is the suggestion others have made about the importance of 'not behaving like prey'. The fact of life is that there are predators in the world, animal or human and it is (also) a fact that predators will usually (not always) target the prey that is perceived as the weakest, the one with the best opportunity for sucessful predation.
As I said at the outset, interesting notion. Although I suspect that there will be those who will say that aggression and violence is not the exclusive purview of male-type men, and those who might say that predators cannot be avoided.
I would suggest that a lot has to do with the frame of reference of the person in question, what kind of world are they choosing to live in?
Great Hubation
great tips I will share with my friends.
I love this hub, you have pointed out some very important safety tips. I am pretty aware of doing these while I'm alone at home, but I could definitely be more careful. Thanks for sharing Simone!
This is great. Safety is always my biggest concern. I love these ideas and your writing flowed. Thanks for sharing.Up, awesome, useful
Good info.
These are great tips, not only for anyone living alone, but for anyone who spends time alone in their homes. It's just good sense to be careful of your personal safety! Oh, and thanks for reminding people about security lights that bug the neighbors - really, security lights should be lighting up your own home, not shining in the neighbors's windows! (Ask me why I know this?) Great hub, voted up, useful and important. Well, there should be an "Important" button for this...
Great tips, especially the one about watching what you post on social media. I'm always surprised by the number of my Facebook friends who advertise that they are gone on vacation or are home alone.
Great ideas. I especially like the motion sensor lights. Get a friend to help you install them. In areas where there is no electricity, you can use solar lights. Great hub!
Fantastic hub. More people--not just women who live alone--should pay attention to such tips, as one can't be too careful these days. I lock an outside door every time I come in from the back, front, or side door--whether someone is in the house with me at the time or not. Some probably think I'm a bit anal about it, but I say better safe than sorry.
Another tip: leave lights and radio on when you're away to make the house seemed lived in....
Again, I say, great hub! Up, useful, interesting, awesome! Oh--and I loved your "vegetarian slip" comment in the comment section. haha
Hi, even though I don't live alone, I am sometimes on my own for days, and the one thing I always do is 'do my routine' every night, check door, turn of plugs, could be a fire! and check windows. I always do this in a routine so if I forget something I know it! Oh, and I always say goodnight to the goldfish! lol not that they could help, but I would hate to go to bed without saying nite!
Hi Simone. Excellent hub! Thank you for the important reminders. Closing curtains I think is one point that many people forget, especially if they have sheers or some other form of see-through window covers. It is important to have opaque curtains to close as well.
One more thought: if you live alone in an apartment, don't automatically 'buzz' people into building. Make sure you know who they are first.
Note that getting a dog is great, but my dog is a retriever and doesn't even bark unless he is outside! It drives me nuts! I have an 80 pound dog that will lick burglars to death, but that is about it.
I don't live alone but I always lock my doors. The one time my boyfriend forgot to lock up while I was napping and a strange man walked in....scary it was. Great tips on this hub.
What did the strange man do, tammy???? That's freaky!
These are great tips. My sister just moved out and I should email her this article.
great hub! i've been looking for a place to move into, so i'm sure i'll find this information very helpful.
Good information for women which living alone
Patty Inglish, Victoria Lynn, Nell Rose, Maralexa, and Sinea Pies, those are EXCELLENT tips! I should follow your excellent examples (though that might require some goldfish... perhaps I'll just say goodnight to my knife collection instead)!
clark farley, your comment takes the cake. I do think the key is to not behave like prey, and I also think that a lot of folks attract trouble to themselves because they're looking for it- either because they see the world as a scary, dangerous place and are driven by fear, or because they just expect the worst from people.
Thanks for reading, everyone! And thanks for the kind, helpful, insightful comments!
This is a great informative hub, and although i dont live alone, my partner works most nights and i always get a bit jumpy when i hear the slightest noise outside. I lock the doors and shut the windows but i still find myself peeking out the curtains to check no one is near the house late at night lol. Voted up :)
Really useful and practical instructions which can be followed by a lonely woman for her safety. Thanks a lot Simon smith for the hub
A great and helpful hub. Though I live with my parents but still I would love to implement your ideas
Honestly, most of these are things you should really do anyway, whether you're living alone or not.
I have lived alone for many years, and had many negative experiences during that time period. I also was the only child of a female doctor, and grew up watching my mother taken advantage of by countless numbers of people. Sadly, despite what I did learn from her mistakes (in trusting people), I still lacked the 'street smarts' to protect myself. I have been robbed numerous times, car-jacked twice (the second time my face was smashed in and had to be surgically reconstructed). But in hindsight, those are some of the least terrifying things that I have experienced. One of the most unfortunate things that I can say is in today's environment - it is unrealistic to assume that one can completely trust anyone. In that light, I would like to offer a few suggestions to protect yourself as a single woman;
1) ALWAYS carry two items on your person, a small tape-recorder and small digital camera (with zoom and wide angle features) - these are critical - and even though these items are usually contained within a cell phone; it is best that you have separate units. First, this gives you backup - if you find yourself in ANY situation where you may need to use them - also - if you do need to use them - then it is easier to use them (since these are not typical items that most people do carry with them - and any ). Always record any conversation regarding business transactions - even something as simple as an inexpensive home repair, or any conflicts with anyone from close friends, family members, co-workers, etc.
Also, the use of a camera on your person or nearby you at all times is imperative. Therefore if there is any accident, or other problem, immediately take a photo. It is also a good idea to take a photo of anyone that you date, and even whomever you let into your home (from the plumber to even the movers that move you into your residence). Document and backup all files too with time, dates and relationship between yourself and whomever that person is. I don't want to sound paranoid, but my own life experiences have taught me to be extra cautious. I had once been a naive, trusting person. I do not think that is wise to blindly trust anyone anymore based on my life experience, and the experiences of even close personal female friends. I think it is reckless and irresponsible to do so.
Also, another tip of which I think is useful regards the hiring of building contractors, or any type of servicemen for repairs on anything from your house, to car, or anything else for that matter. First, when getting estimates for any service, ask a male friend to be present. I have found that it isn't even necessary for any male friend that is present with you to say anything. I have however noticed a substantial difference in the estimates of which I am given when a male is present. If this is not possible, then tell the person giving you the estimate that you need to review any possible charges with a male family member - it doesn't matter if it's a spouse, or brother, or father or even friend. Just never let anyone think that you would be alone in the decision-making process. I have remodeled three homes, and have learned that the price always drops tremendously when a woman is not thought of as living completely alone by the contractor. I also grew up watching my mother, who was a surgeon, constantly taken advantage of. Sadly, although she had much respect for her talent as a physician, she was taken advantage of in almost every unthinkable manner, simply because of being a woman alone. I also have a male friend that was inspired to go into the construction trade simply because of his frustration of watching his mother (with six children), charged high prices for simple handyman tasks. This inspired his entire choice of a career path, simply because he wanted to charge women reasonable prices rather than hyper-inflated prices. I am happy to have him work for me, because he never overcharges me and is perfectionist in his work. Out of over 30 different construction contractors that I have dealt with since 2005. Other than the above mentioned contractor, only two other men have given me reasonable estimates. I just find it
I think that many women are ill prepared by both how we are socialized into society and prevailing cultural myths(many of them fueled by Feminist ideology) to live alone. I think for any woman to live alone, is highly precarious.
Wow, Julia! What excellent advice! I had never considered carrying recording equipment with me as a form of self-protection, but I totally understand your reasoning. And REALLY good advice on getting estimates, too. An alternative to having someone male present is to do a TON of research and to call a contractor out if they're clearly trying to pull something!
I live in a house alone &whenever i go out i say a loud "i wont be long" and wave at my living room window as if someones in. Great article by the way
Oh, nice one Jacky123m! Thanks for stopping by :D
"Manage Your Social Media Presence" is a point that is well raised. It is amusing to see how this issue would have never been raised a decade back. Today, your profile on a social networking site can get you stalked or worse. I have lived alone in the past and can relate to many of these tips. Nicely done Simone!
Princesswithapen
Thanks Princesswithapen! The social media aspect is certainly a newer element in the equation. That said, just a bit of awareness and common sense is all that's needed to stay on the safe side of things!
I got an email forward with this advice, and I think it fits your hub perfectly:
If you live alone in a house or where your car is nearby, and you have a remote alarm on your keychain, put the keys on your bedstand at night. Then if anyone tries to break in, press your car alarm which should scare the perp off and alert your neighbors that you need help. I would tell your neighbors that you have this habit or sleeping with your keychain nearby for safety so they will call the police if they hear your car alarm go off for more than a minute in the middle of the night.
That is a pretty smart idea!!! It may very well be the ONE good use of car alarms I've heard of.
Excellent information! All of these suggestions are great. I think we as women tend to be a little naive when it comes to our safety. I would like to link this to a hub I have written about womens personal safety. Would that be ok with you? Voted this up, useful and sharing! :)
I just sent this to my daughter who lives alone. Thank you.
This is good advice for anyone who lives alone.
Agreed, sgbrown, and I'm no exception on the naive end. That would be perfectly fine with me. Thanks!
I hope your daughter finds this helpful, ThomasBaker!
And thanks, Mike Outdoors :D
I am thinking about living alone...its a little scary for me sine I've never been on my own. I love your article it give me a lot to think about...thanks
I have lived alone several times and I agree - taking extra precautions is definitely worth it. I think it's really easy to forget that, even if you live on an upper floor, everyone can see you if you don't have curtains. I have forgotten that, myself from time to time. Thanks for reminding me and for sharing these tips!
Great topic! May I recommend The Gift of Fear and Other Survival Signals that Protect Us From Violence - very useful book.
Hyphenbird 13 months ago
This is great information for a person alone, male or felmale although women are more vulnerable. I used to live alone for years but now have my guy with me. I enjoyed this Hub and the photos are great also.
If I can make a comment-" Being a very busy and important professional, she did not have time to steak"...should be STAKE:)