Safety for Single Women
Crime happens every day, anywhere and can happen to anyone. Single women are especially susceptible to crime as some may see women as vulnerable or defenseless without a partner or surrounding family. Knowing how to keep yourself protected and taking the steps to lesson or prevent crime are the first steps in maintaining safety. Whether in public, at home or out on a date, safety measures are important in keeping you and your belongings safe. Does this Spark an idea?
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In Public
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While in public, carry protection with you whenever possible. Keep pepper spray near you if it is legal in the city or state you reside. Contact your local police department to determine whether it is legal. Carry a cell phone on you or in your vehicle for emergency phone calls. Use a flashlight to navigate through dimly lit areas. Keep your keys readily available and leave the parking lot as soon as possible. Pay attention to your surroundings to ensure no one is following you or may come up to you.
At Home
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Give your spare key to a relative or neighbor instead of hiding it in an obvious place around your home. If not possible, use a lock box to hide and secure your key whenever you are away. Install a security system if feasible and make good use of it. Set the alarm whenever you are leaving the home or going to bed for the night. If a security system is not in your budget, adopt good a guard dog. Leave lights on in various rooms of your home to create the illusion that multiple people reside there. Outside the home, install floodlights or have your property owner do so.
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On Dates
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Get to know your date before planning to go out with him alone. Give your friends or family the name of the restaurant, theater or other places you might visit. Provide everyone with the full name of your date and any identifying information about him. Give both your contact information and his to your family or friend. Avoid going back to your date's home alone within the first few dates or until you build trust with him. Meet him separately at public places and have your cell phone on you for emergencies.
Personal Information
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Shred any important mail before throwing it away to avoid your personal information getting into the wrong hands. Do not write your PIN number down or keep it in your wallet. Keep your Social Security card in a safe place in your home rather than in your purse. Write a list at home of all the documents in your wallet and the phone number to cancel your debit or credit cards if stolen. Do not let people you have just met know where you live or that you live alone.
Strangers
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To maintain security, avoid people who ask to use your telephone, bathroom or need help. If going on a walk, stay in a public area. If someone begins to follow you, do not head directly home. Change your course and head to a public area or police station. If passing someone up while walking, keep a safe distance from him. If you feel someone is following you in a shopping center, mall or grocery store, have a security guard walk you to your car.
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References
- Photo Credit house image by Cora Reed from Fotolia.com
