Safety Tips for Living on Your Own

Five Home Safety Tips to Keep You Safe When You’re Living by Yourself

Living on your own can be one of the most exciting times in your life. With total freedom, you can eat what you want, watch what you want, and even decorate your new home or apartment how you want. It seems like a dream come true.

Unfortunately, living on your own can come with one major downside: an increased risk to your personal safety. When living on your own, you should take extra precautions for safety. Whether you’re a young professional or a senior living alone, these five home safety tips will help you stay safe.

  1. Get to Know Your Neighbors

Getting to know the neighbors in your neighborhood or apartment complex is a good step in making sure you and your home stay safe. It’s not necessary to be best friends with your neighbors, but in a pinch, they can be a huge asset.

Whether you’re in danger or your house is being broken into, an extra set of eyes watching out for you can be the difference in getting help in time.

  1. Keep Your Curtains Closed

Whether you’re going out for a day at the mall or going to work, be sure to close your curtains or blinds when you aren’t home. A burglar can use an open window to their advantage. If thieves see anything worth stealing, your home could potentially become their next target.

Even when you’re home at night, you should keep both your curtains and blinds closed. At night when the lights are on in your home, it can be easy for a burglar to see your valuables while it may be impossible for you to see them outside.

  1. Don’t Give Clues of Long Absences

When living alone, going away for an extended period of time can put your home at an extreme risk. When scouting out potential targets, burglars look for homes or apartments that do not show signs of occupancy.

Be sure to ask a trusted friend or neighbor to watch over your home or apartment while you’re away. By doing so, you can prevent common signs that you are away such as piled up mail or trash. Something as simple as making sure your mail is picked up can ward away potential burglars.

You can also have automatic lights installed in your home by your security company. Automatic lights will make it seem that someone is home because the lights will not stay on or off at all times. This is often enough of a reason for burglars to avoid your home.

  1. Involve Your Friends and Family

There’s no shame in giving a friend or family a text or call when you’re walking home alone or simply nervous. Letting someone know when you’re leaving or arriving somewhere can give them an indication if you are or aren’t safe.

You could also consider installing a personal safety app on your phone. These apps can offer alarms and GPS tracking that will inform someone if you don’t reach your pre-set destination.

  1. Install a Home Security System

Installing a home security system can be one of the easiest ways to deter burglars and intruders alike. According to studies provided by UNC Charlotte, 83 percent of burglars will check for a security system before entering a home. Of those 83 percent of burglars, 60 percent of them would choose a new target after discovering a home had a security system installed.

Having a home security system installed is an effective way to protect your self and your home when living alone. At Pelican State Protection, LLC, we aim to keep you and your home safe with home safety tips and services. From light sensors on windows to motion detectors on doors, we will make sure you feel secure when you live on your own.