7 tips to make you feel safer at home

Being home alone can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially if it’s your first time home alone or if you’ve recently moved out on your own. If you’re out on your own for the first time, going from being surrounded by people to living alone takes some getting used to.

Take a look at 7 tips that will help you feel safer when you’re alone.

1. Get to know your neighbors.

You’ll want to get to know your neighbors as soon as you can. Not only will you make some new friends you can invite over for dinner but you’ll know there’s someone looking out for you. Friendly neighbors will keep an eye on your home and help alert you to any potential problems.

2. Lock the door.

You may live in a really safe neighborhood, but as soon as you come in the house, be sure to lock the door. You can keep any strangers from walking in with the door locked. A dead bolt on all doors is best.

 

3. Have an emergency plan.
Figure out the the safest way to get out in case of an emergency. You’ll need to react quickly if the situation calls for it, so having a plan will help take away the guesswork.

4. Turn on exterior lights and close the blinds/curtains.

When the sun sets and it starts to get dark, turn on the exterior lights and close the blinds or curtains in the house. Lights and sounds deter criminals, so outside lights will keep an intruder away.

 

5. Have a check-in plan.
Sometimes just talking to someone for a little while will help you to calm down if you are scared. When you live alone, it’s important to let someone you trust know your basic schedule and plan. If you are going out of town, make sure a family member or a neighbor knows your plan. You may even want to let someone trusted nearby know when you are typically expected home from work.

6. Buy a dog.

You don’t necessarily have to get a big dog, but you may want to consider a dog with a loud bark. A guard dog will not only scare away an intruder, but the dog will also keep you company.

7. Get an alarm system.
Install some type of alarm or security system. To help you decide which system is right for you, give us a call and we’ll be glad to get you setup.

The more you know, the more confident you’ll be. The key to feeling safe when you’re home alone is to feel in control. The more knowledge you have, the better you’ll feel about being home alone.