8 Safety Tips To Keep In Mind If You Live Alone

Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own home, but sadly, that’s not the reality for many people who live alone.

Although living alone provides many benefits, such as freedom and independence, it can also provoke safety concerns. You might feel isolated, worry about intruders, or panic when you’re alone. However, if you implement these eight tips, living alone may feel a little less scary.

1. Research the neighbourhood first.

It’s highly recommended that you are familiar with your potential neighbourhood before you move there. This might seem like an obvious tip, but many people forget to check out the crime rate in the area – only to discover shortly after moving in that their new neighbourhood is a major target for crime.

Although you can check online crime statistics, you should also trust your gut feeling before you move in. If you don’t feel completely safe walking around the neighbourhood during the day, then how can you expect to feel safe sleeping alone at night? Walk around the area at different times of day and see what impression you get.

2. Hire someone to complete a security survey.

A locksmith can carry out a security survey before you move in. This will help assess the safety of your home and give you some peace of mind. The locksmith may suggest that you upgrade your locks, install a camera, or purchase alarms to deter burglars depending on what they find. Although you’ll be living alone, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t feel safe at all times.

3. Never make it obvious that you live alone.

Out of sheer excitement, you may feel tempted to let everyone know that you live alone, but make sure you hold off on posting about your new living situation on social media. Although posting is unlikely to amount to anything unsafe, there’s a small chance that someone might take advantage of your living arrangement.

If a burglar discovers your posts, and they’re familiar with where you live, they may see you as an “easy” target. To minimize these risks, it’s better if you refrain from posting anything about your new home on your social media accounts.

4. Always double-check your doors and windows before you leave the house.

It’s quite common for homeowners to forget to lock their doors and windows, which leaves them prone to burglars breaking in. Make sure that you always lock up the house when you leave or go to bed because an unlocked door or window makes any property an easy target.

5. Avoid fire hazards.

Yes, it’s important to protect yourself against intruders. But what about protecting your home against other disasters? Simple fire hazards may slip your mind, but they can lead to disastrous consequences in the long run. Always turn off your oven or stove after using it. Also, turn off all appliances and check all of your candles before bed each night. These small habits can help protect you from a house fire.

6. Plan an escape route.

In the event of an emergency, you’ll feel much more comfortable if you already have an escape plan in mind. You might have to act fast, which means that you can’t lose precious time planning your next move. Take a look around your property and work out the best method of getting out of your home safely and quickly.

7. Install a camera doorbell.

Video doorbells are becoming increasingly popular because they allow people to feel safer at all times of the day. Many burglaries happen during the day when there is no one at home (or so they think). Thanks to video doorbells, though, you can keep an eye on your home all the time.

You never have to worry about opening the door to someone you don’t know, and even when you’re away from your home, you can feel more comfortable knowing that you’ll receive an alert as soon as someone’s outside the door.

8. Consider a bedroom lock.

If your property meets all the safety requirements but you still feel unsafe at night, then you could consider fitting a lock on your bedroom door. Many people claim to feel safer when the room they are sleeping in is locked.

If you’re ready to move out on your own, you shouldn’t let safety concerns stop you from taking the leap. Living alone may feel scary simply because it’s different to what you might be used to. However, that doesn’t mean that it won’t be worth your time.

Living alone is a challenge at times, but it can help you to connect with yourself in ways that you haven’t before. When you stay safe, you’ll learn the importance of not always depending on others for your happiness and comfort, and that’s an irreplaceable lesson.