Living Alone-Steps You Can Take To Remain Safe

You may feel as though you have enough common sense to remain safe but you would be surprised at just how susceptible many people living alone are to a home invasion. If you don’t want to become a victim of a burglary, it certainly couldn’t hurt to review a few stapes that can actually be of benefit to you. If you are living alone, plan on living alone or simply find yourself living alone for whatever reason, you should be aware of what it will take to remain safe. We are not saying that you’re not doing anything right but there is always room for improvement. Our locksmiths at Cary Locksmith in Cary, NC, have some practical suggestions that you may be interested in knowing about that will help you to remain safe. If you apply some of these suggestions it will improve your odds of avoiding a burglary.

Useful Stats You Should Know About:

• The majority of home invasions occur during the daytime
• A women who lives alone has a .5% chance of being burglarized
• Women experience a .4% chance of a violent crime than males
• Women have a .1% chance of being robbed

Why Some People Live Alone

For some people it is by choice that they live alone but in some cases, it is not. There have been found more people living alone since the mid-90’s than ever before. We have concluded that this is because of children graduating from school, divorce, separation, first time home buyers and in some instances, children simply being asked to leave their parents home. We don’t think that there is anything wrong with a person living alone but it does pose its own set of problems that should definitely be considered. It is in your best interest to at least know about these threats to your security so that you can take action to do something to address them.

Simple Ways to Remain Safe When Living Alone

Remain Mum (Silent)

We don’t actually mean remain quiet but what we do mean is to be careful about discussing your living situation, especially to people you barely know. You don’t have to tell anyone that you live alone. In fact, it is actually best if you do try not to let others know. Don’t volunteer this type of information. If other people know that you live alone, it increases your chances of being victimized by an intruder. The burglar may begin to canvas your home to determine when they can get into your home. Don’t give them the chance.

Social Media

Make sure your not posting too much information about your comings and goings on social media. This is another way to expose yourself to a possible intruder. We realize that posting to social media can become addictive, however, use caution when doing so. When you post pictures of you out on the town with the girls or guys, this leaves you susceptible to a burglary. If you’re posting your vacation pictures, this is also unwise, as this is all the information that an intruder needs. They simply need time and opportunity. They know they have both as long as you continue to inform them of your whereabouts. It is better is you wait a day or two before posting pictures. That way, an unsuspecting intruder will back off when they realize that someone is actually home. The same is true when you’re going away on vacation. Why not wait until you return to start posting your vacation pictures. Tag your photo with the date too so that they know that it has come and gone.

Packages & Mailboxes

There could be a thief living in the same apartment building with you. If you are expecting packages to be delivered to your home, rather than having them placed outside your door, why not have them hold onto your packages until you return. If you have a neighbor that you trust, you can ask if they see any packages left at your door to please take them until you return.

You can always make it look like someone is home even if you live in an apartment. Rather than putting your name on your mailbox, you could simply use the term ‘residence’. This makes it appear as though more than one person actually lives in the apartment. Having only your name listed on the mailbox is like advertising that you live alone.

Close Your Window Treatments

Some people do not mind others peering into their beautiful homes but this can be very dangerous. Any time your blinds, curtains or shades are wide open, you’re showing a would-be thief, what they stand to gain by breaking into your home. Don’t make it easy on them. Make sure your shades, curtains and blinds are all kept shut, especially at night, when the lights make it easier to see inside. Whatever you have of valuable should only be between you and your family. The rest of the world shouldn’t know about your belongings. Just remember, if the things you posses are of value to you, they will also be of value to any would-be intruder. If you want to test whether or not anyone can see through your new curtains, simply stand outside your house with the curtains drawn and a light on.

Get a Dog

Yes, they are cute and cuddly but dogs are great protectors also. I you are not allergic to dogs, it is a great idea to get yourself a dog. Hearing a dog bark is a good way to deter a possible intruder. They don’t know what they will find on the other side of that door. If they do not wish to be harmed, they may think twice about coming into your home. In you live in a rural area, having a dog is especially beneficial to you. It alerts you to any potential intruders before they even get inside, thus giving you time to contact the authorities.

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