Women who live alone often worry about their safety. There are some precautions one can apply that will increase the feeling of security and decrease the chances of an assault.
Be sure your home or apartment has dead bolt locks on all outside doors. Keep the doors and windows locked at all times. Improve outside lighting, as intruders do not like well lit places. Make sure that bushes and trees do not create hiding places, especially near doors and windows. A dog can be an excellent alarm. Barking will usually scare off an intruder. A security alarm system and burglar alarm notices posted outside your home are added protection.
The shorter the distance from your car to the door, the better, especially when arriving home at night. The best arrangement is a garage with a remote garage door opener. That way you can drive into the garage, close the garage door before you get out of the car, and then enter the house through a door directly from the garage. If this is not possible, at least have your door keys ready to use quickly as you approach your well-lit front entry.
Report suspicious persons in the neighbourhood to police. Never open your door to strangers. Even though it may seem comforting, do not keep a loaded gun in the home. This increases the chance that an intruder will use the gun against you. Consider a chemical or pepper spray instead.
Call your local police department and ask if there is a Neighbourhood Watch Program in your neighbourhood. If so, join it. If not, you may want to help start one. In addition, ask whether your police department offers free home safety inspections.
Article #4870
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