Living solo can be both empowering and rewarding. With thoughtful planning, you can ensure your daily safety and peace of mind. This blog provides essential safety tips for people living alone, focusing on:
- Personal safety awareness
- Securing your home
- Leveraging technology
- Building a support network
- Emergency readiness
Personal safety awareness
Whether in a bustling city like Milwaukee or a quiet community like Rhinelander, staying aware of your surroundings helps you detect odd behavior and respond quickly. As you enter or exit your home, be aware of what’s happening around you, and keep your phone handy. Simple habits like walking confidently, making brief eye contact when appropriate, and reducing distractions like scrolling on your phone can deter potential threats.
Evaluate your daily routine to pick out potential vulnerabilities. People with bad intentions look for dimly lit entrances, late-night arrivals/departures, and predictable patterns. Make a point to check your locks, windows, and exterior lighting regularly. It’s also a good idea to alter routes and schedules whenever possible.
Securing your home
To reduce your risk of a home invasion, start with the basics:
- Lock all doors and windows every time you leave and before bed.
- Reinforce entry points with quality deadbolts and strong strike plates.
- Conduct nightly checks of latches, garage entries, and sliding doors.
- Give a spare key to a trusted neighbor or family member (don’t hide one under a stone or welcome mat—crooks will look here first).
Criminals like it dark, so keep the exterior of your home well-lit. Install motion-activated lights near entrances/driveways and use dusk-to-dawn lights at the front door for continuous visibility.
It’s also worth noting that a vocal dog can also serve as a de facto security system!
Leverage technology for safety
Smart home devices like motion-activated lights, smart locks, and connected doorbell cameras are effective at deterring intruders. It’s best practice to pair them with strong passwords and multi-factor authentication for added security layers.
Remote monitoring of these devices offers further reassurance. Today’s technology allows you to connect cameras, sensors, and smoke detectors to your phone for live feeds, activity summaries, and alarm notifications.
Mobile safety apps provide real-time information, giving you even more peace of mind. They allow you to set up alerts for severe weather, neighborhood updates, and geofenced notifications. Many apps, like Life360 and bSafe, allow location sharing with trusted contacts, scheduled check-in reminders, or discreet SOS alerts.
Building a support network
Strong connections are a necessity for those living alone. Get to know your neighbors, exchange contact information, and agree on simple monitoring routines like looking out for unusual activity. A quick check-in can offer reassurance and immediate help if something seems off.
You can also engage with local resources to expand your safety net. Join neighborhood groups or community watch programs to stay informed about local alerts and events. Many communities offer wellness checks and safety workshops through universities, libraries, or councils.
Emergency readiness
As the saying goes, failing to prepare is preparing to fail. Preparedness is necessary for staying safe when living alone. Start with a list of emergency contacts—save it on your phone and post it on your fridge. You’ll want to include:
- Local emergency services
- Your primary care provider
- Nearby urgent care
- Close family and friends
- Trusted neighbors
It’s also wise to have a home emergency kit on hand. This should include:
- Bottled water
- Non-perishable food
- Flashlight (with extra batteries)
- Medications
- Portable charger
- Whistle
- Important documents
Consider seasonal risks, too. For example, add a warm blanket in the fall in advance of the Wisconsin winter.
Rural Mutual agents live in your communities and serve Wisconsin only. Connect with a local agent today help preserve and protect what matters most to you.
