Living Alone Safety Basics

Finally, FREE! Yay, no more parents’ rules and restrictions. You're living alone or possibly with friends. It is a great feeling to have your independence. But living on your own does require a few precautions, safeguards and smarts.

Safety tips for living alone

Be alert and watchful leaving and entering your apartment, in the parking structure, and laundry room. Be aware of who is watching you. The guy(s) at your new place are checking you out. Take caution though, they may be giving more than your gorgeous looks an eye. Watch for those who may be casing your place. We are not saying you should be paranoid, just watchful, and follow your intuition. When in doubt, trust your gut.

Be selective on who you inform about your new living arrangements. Although you are ecstatic that you are on your own, it really isn't a great idea to go broadcast that you are living alone to everyone and anyone.

Lock your door and secure the windows of your apartment when you are going out, and at night. Secure your windows with window sliders, a strong stick, or a metal bar that blocks the windows from being opened.

Use the peep hole. Get in the habit of looking through it or asking who is at the door. If you are expecting a visitor, don’t be so quick to open the door when you hear a knock.

Never let strangers into your apartment, especially when you are alone. Use your head before letting anyone in you don't know.

Turn on a few lights, music, or TV when going out for the night. Homes are least likely to get robbed when it looks like someone is there.

Purchase a few electronic timers for your TV and lamps if you are going to be gone for a few days. Set them to come on in the evening and go off in the morning.

Trim plants away from the window. Most apartments are pretty good at maintaining the landscape around the complex. If you have any trees or hedges growing that block the view from your window or door, ask the manager of your apartment to cut the plants back.

Tell a neighbor. If you will be gone for a few days, and if you have a neighbor you trust that lives in an apartment next to you, ask them to keep an eye on your place while you are away. Be SURE you only tell someone you can really trust.

Tell someone your plans. Let a family member or friend know if you are going to a club, bar, or out on a date with someone you just met.

Keep your cell phone in your hand with emergency numbers added to your speed dial when walking to and from your car to your apartment.

Keep pepper spray in your purse and in your nightstand. Pepper spray can buy you a good 20 to 30 mins. That's plenty of time to get away.