Recently, we asked the BuzzFeed Community to share safety tips every woman who lives on their own should know. Here's some of their most helpful advice:
1. "Vary up your routine. Don't leave on the same days at the same times or walk, run, or drive in the same direction."
2. "Have a plan and know where you can escape or hide. Even if it's just locking the bedroom door or rolling under the bed and calling for help. It might buy you a little time."
3. "NEVER let a first date or new friend pick you up. ALWAYS meet them someplace somewhat central, but still further for you. After the date/meet-up, don't bring them back to your place until you have known them a bit."
4. "Keep your key fob on your nightstand. If someone breaks in, you can set your car alarm off to alert your neighbors or scare off the intruders."
—Anonymous
5. "I always put the address of a neighbor when I'm using rideshare apps. When I used to live in an apartment building, I would wait before turning the lights on after being dropped off."
6. "On the advice of my retired police officer mother, I put sleigh bells around the interior front door handle, something I would hear immediately. This has become my go-to housewarming gift for my other single girlfriends who live alone."
7. "Have a landline phone. In case of an emergency, it's always in the same place; therefore, I waste no time having to look for it. It also provides a second option if the other is unreachable."
8. "The second I get in my car, I lock the door before doing anything else."
9. "Solar-powered motion sensor lights around your house are cheap, easy to use, and helpful in so many ways."
—Anonymous
10. "Living alone safely starts at where you choose to live. When first looking at apartments as a single woman, I ruled out any place that required me to walk down a path where I can't run away. If the entryway, path, or road leading to your place doesn't allow for witnesses, escape, or can easily let someone hide in waiting or creep behind you and overtake you, don't choose to live there. Keep looking, you’ll find a safer option."
—Anonymous
11. "If I'm not expecting someone, I don't answer my door for anyone. If I don't know they're coming, then they don't need to show up. May seem unfriendly, but it's safer that way."
12. "Be familiar with your space! Take time when drinking your coffee or waiting on the microwave to just look around and see how everything is arranged — however messy. If someone enters your home, there will be little differences that give it away first."
—Anonymous
13. "Pretty simple, but always have your phone next to your bed, pepper spray, a safety keychain, or anything that you have that makes you feel safer. If someone's in your house or apartment, you can call for help immediately or spray their face with the pepper spray."
14. "If you have unused rooms but always keep the doors closed in those rooms, open them and take a peek when you get home. Do a quick scan of closets and behind the shower curtain."
15. "If you think you are being followed, drive to a police station and honk the horn like crazy as you pull in. Even pulling into an ER would be better than nothing."
—Anonymous
16. "I highly recommend Brazilian jiu-jitsu. The very first thing an adequate instructor will teach you is how to escape someone that's on top of you. Your confidence and physical stamina will improve, making you confident."
17. "Lived on my own for a long time. Never be the first to break eye contact if someone is giving you creeper vibes. It lets them know you're not gonna go without a fight or a big scene."
18. "Try to befriend a neighbor, preferably another woman who lives alone. She may need your help one day, and you may need hers. And even if none of you does, it's still nice to have a friend who lives in the same apartment building."
19. "Have an Alexa or other hands-free device that can call 911. If I fall off a step ladder, moving to grab my phone might be hard or unsafe depending on injuries. I can yell for Alexa to get me EMS from any room in my apartment."
20. "Leave a light on when you go out so it's already on when you get home. Also, leave a TV on so people think someone is home."
21. "I don't just check that my doors are locked at night. I immediately lock it behind [me] at all times. Never do I leave them unlocked no matter the time of day."
What else would you add to this list? Share your most useful safety tip(s) in the comments!
Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.