| Living alone is an exciting adventure, and many | | | | come by so you're not alone when they arrive. If a |
| people, both women and men, find it liberating to live | | | | stranger comes to your door unannounced, never let |
| by their own rules. Living by yourself, however, does | | | | them inside, no matter what excuse they give. Don't |
| require some critical safety precautions. This is | | | | even open the door to say 'no,' or they may force |
| especially true if you are a woman; in order to stay | | | | themselves inside. |
| safe, you must take safety precautions when living | | | | Protect your home with security devices, such as |
| alone, including: | | | | door and window alarms, and carry pepper spray in |
| Avoiding telling people you live alone. Be wary of the | | | | your purse. These simple devices are critical for |
| information you give out to acquaintances, no matter | | | | protecting you from intruders, muggers, and other |
| where you've met them. Avoid unnecessarily | | | | violent criminals. Whether living alone or with |
| commenting about your living situation. On your | | | | roommates, every woman should use these tools to |
| mailbox, list only your first initial and last name; avoid | | | | protect herself. |
| recording personal information on your answering | | | | Be cautious when dating. Meet dates at a public |
| machine message. | | | | place, such as a coffee shop or restaurant, rather |
| Make a practice of calling in for safety checks. Does | | | | than giving them the address to your house. Let a |
| your mother still ask you to call when returning home | | | | friend know who you're meeting and where you're |
| after visiting her? If you don't follow through on this | | | | going, and if possible, have a friend come with you |
| promise, you should! You can also arrange to check in | | | | for the first date. |
| with friends. Always make sure that a close friend or | | | | Be aware that common areas of your apartment |
| family member knows who you're with, where you'll | | | | complex can be even more dangerous than your |
| be, and when you'll be home. By getting into this | | | | own living area. Gyms, parking lots, and laundry |
| habit now, someone will become alarmed if you go | | | | rooms are relatively deserted and may not be well lit |
| missing. This is especially important if you're going on | | | | at night. Always pay attention to your surroundings |
| a date or to the bar, or anywhere else alone after | | | | when walking around the complex, and avoid fumbling |
| dark. | | | | with your keys by your front door or letting |
| Do not let a stranger inside for any reason. If you're | | | | strangers into the building. |
| in need of a plumber or repairman, have a friend | | | | |