Safety Tips for Women Living Alone

Living alone as a woman can be scary regardless of the type of neighborhood you live in. Before you move into a home, make sure you familiarize yourself with the neighborhood. Checking the crime statistics and discovering what types of businesses are in your area and how late they are open can help you make an educated decision. Common sense is the number one safety tip; lock your doors, check your surroundings and be leery of blind spots before going out at night, keep your lawn well lit, always be on guard and trust your instinct.

Here are some tips to increase the security of your home and make you feel more confident in living alone:

Landscape Lighting

I personally prefer landscape lighting or a porch light over motion sensor lights. When a motion sensor light is triggered, it rarely tricks the trespasser that someone has turned the light on and therefore wouldn't discourage someone from breaking in. So, take comfort in landscape lighting that lights all areas near the entrances of your home. You will always be able to see what is going on outside and will also enhance the appeal of your home.

Thick Curtains and Blinds

Thick curtains and blinds will give you a sense of security and keep you from feeling like someone is watching you. Always make sure you close your window coverings when you are not home or as the sun sets, especially with windows facing the street.

Thorny Bushes

Plant thorny but pretty bushes (The Fairy or Darlow's Enigma) under windows, however, you will want to make sure you keep them trimmed up to discourage someone from hiding behind them. These thorny bushes will discourage anyone from climbing in your windows and if they do anyway, they will grab and scrape up an intruder.

Alarm System

An alarm system is always a way to make you feel more secure. However, if you can't afford to have one installed, consider buying signs and stickers on-line in an attempt to make it look like you do have an alarm system. You could also make your own security type system by hanging bells on your door knob so you can hear and be aware if someone is messing with your doors.

Dog

Dogs are a great alarm system, but do require a lot of time and energy. Even small dogs that bark a lot are a good way to alert you that something is up even if they can't provide the physical protection like a big dog could.

Bolted Windows

Drill holes into the window frames and insert a bolt or a metal pin so the window cannot be opened but a few inches.

Locks and Peep Holes

Make sure you change the locks when you move into a new place; you never know who might have a key. Also, install deadbolts on all doors if they don't already have them. You never want to answer the door unless you can see who is on the other side, so if you don't have a good view of your front porch from a nearby window, install a peep hole.

Weapons

Only stow guns, bats, and pepper spray in your home if you feel comfortable using them. It would be a good idea to take self defense lessons or go to a shooting range and become familiar with weapons and your body before attempting to use a weapon on an intruder. If you are uncomfortable or uncertain how to effectively use a weapon, it can easily be taken from you and used against you.

Make it Look Like a Man Lives with You

Throw a man's sweatshirt or jacket over the back of a chair, leave a pair of boots on the front porch, or put a baseball cap in the back window of your car. You can find all of these items at your local thrift store for next to nothing.

A few more tips:

Get to know your neighbors and be friendly with the locals in your community. Always make sure to secure all windows and doors before you leave your home and after dark. I would also suggest to leave a lamp on inside if you are gone after dark so it appears that someone is home. If you don't want to leave a lamp on all day, you can buy timers that will automatically turn lights on and off throughout your home. Don't mention where you live, even the area you live in, to complete strangers or casual acquaintances; only inform close friends and family of your residence. Make sure you keep a cell or home phone close to you at all times and don't be afraid to call 911 if you sense someone is lurking outside your home. Check crime rates before you move into an area, sometimes the statistics alone will keep you out of a bad area or make you feel more secure about the area you already live in. If you do live in a high crime rate area and can't move, stop by your local police station and make sure they make frequent rounds in your neighborhood for an added sense of security.

There are many precautions you can take to better secure your home if you live alone. The best thing you can do if you are a single woman living alone, is to be confident and trust your instinct. If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. Always have a plan if someone were to break in so you aren't a sitting duck in shock; quick reactions, even if it were to run to the neighbors house and call 911 could save your life. And, as always, if you have had bad experiences in your neighborhood or are just terrified of living alone, consider getting a roommate or moving to a different area to put your mind at ease.