Extra Responsibilities—No Matter What Your Age
Living alone can be one of the most rewarding experiences you'll ever have, especially when you finally get to enjoy your own space. But between all the decorating and deciding where to store all your board games, it’s important to remember the less savory stuff: how to keep yourself safe as a woman alone. None of this is to say you should live in constant fear, but these 20 tips can make living alone as freeing and comfortable as it should be!
1. Tell Strangers They Live Alone
There's no reason your Uber driver or delivery person needs to know that you’re by yourself. Even if you’re just trying to make small talk, don’t forget that mentioning that nobody else lives at your address can reveal personal information you didn't intend to share. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so if they ask, have a story ready.
2. Post Their Location in Real Time
Sharing snapshots from your favorite restaurant might seem harmless, but posting your exact location can reveal your whereabouts. Worse than that, it can show people where you frequent and give them information on potential nearby hotspots. Consider uploading those pictures after you've left instead.
3. Give Romantic Interests Their Address
There’s no shame in telling a months-long fling where you live. Telling someone you just met, however? That’s dicey. Your address is personal, and you can't easily take it back once you've shared it.
4. Let Maintenance Workers Arrive Without Confirmation
We’re not trying to scare you, but it’s not unheard of for so-called maintenance workers to show up unexpectedly—especially if they know you’re in there alone. Don't just invite them in. If you’re in an apartment, contact your landlord or service company to confirm the appointment. Legitimate maintenance requests should be easy enough to check, so if there’s any runaround, keep the door bolted.
5. Advertise Their Schedule
Broadcasting your schedule can be just as risky as posting seemingly innocent photos. Public posts about your regular gym classes or evening shifts can not only reveal when your apartment is unoccupied, but also nearby spots to said abode. There's nothing wrong with keeping certain details about your day private.
6. Give Spare Keys Casually
That friendly neighbor you've spoken to three times might seem trustworthy, but handing over your spare key deserves more consideration than that. Choose someone with whom you've established a reliable relationship, rather than whoever happens to live closest. After all, you're giving that person access to your home!
7. Ignore Signs of a Gas Leak
An unusual rotten-egg smell shouldn't be dismissed, no matter how much you hope it’ll disappear by morning. If you suspect a gas leak, leave the building immediately, avoid switches, and contact emergency services from a safe location. Investigating the problem yourself could put you in unnecessary danger.
8. Leave Their Drinks Unattended Around New Guests
Protecting your drinks isn’t just for local bars! Hosting a small gathering at home doesn't mean you need to become suspicious of everyone you invite, but it's sensible to keep track of your stuff around virtual strangers. If you've left a drink unattended and aren't comfortable with the situation, there's nothing wrong with pouring yourself another, either.
9. Attempt Dangerous Home Repairs Alone
Replacing a light bulb is one thing, but trying to tackle electrical repairs or replace roof shingles is something else entirely. Hiring a professional or asking someone for help is often the safer choice, and there’s no shame in admitting that you need a little help.
10. Leave Their Phone Dead Overnight
Imagine waking up to an emergency only to find out that your phone was dead the whole time. Keeping your device charged and within reach makes contacting 911 or any loved ones much easier. It’s not hard, either; a charging cable beside your bed is a small convenience that makes a big difference.
11. Put Their Full Names on Their Mailboxes
Depending on your building, displaying your full name on a mailbox can reveal more information than necessary. Some apartment complexes allow you to use only your last name, initials, or unit number for identification—stick with one of those.
12. Ignore Unusual Activity on Security Cameras
A doorbell camera is only as useful as you make it. Yes, they’re great for monitoring food deliveries, but they’re also there to alert you of potential danger. Repeated footage of someone testing your door handle or lingering around your entrance deserves attention. Save those recordings and report concerning behavior to building management or the cops.
13. Leave Their Curtains Open at Night
It's easy to forget how clearly people outside can see into a brightly lit apartment after dark. It’s even easier to tell yourself that no one’s looking into yours, especially with so many other apartments in the block. Well, that’s no reason to risk it. Closing your blinds in the evening gives you some welcome privacy without requiring any major changes to your routine.
14. Keep Using the Same Locks After Losing Their Keys
Misplacing your keys is frustrating enough without wondering who might find them. If there's a chance someone could connect those keys to your address, having the locks rekeyed or replaced is worth considering. If you rent, you might need to speak with your landlord first, but that’s only a small hiccup.
15. Let Partners Ignore Their Boundaries
Someone you've recently started dating shouldn't pressure you into allowing overnight visits. They shouldn’t wear you down about letting them in at all. If a partner gets angry because you won't toss them a spare key, that behavior is reason enough to trust your gut. You're entitled to decide who enters your home, regardless of how long you've been seeing someone.
16. Forget to Arrange Emergency Check-Ins
Having your own place doesn't mean you need to handle every unexpected situation without support. All it takes is setting up a simple check-in arrangement with a trusted loved one, particularly when you're recovering from surgery or dealing with an illness. Agreeing on when they'll contact you and what to do if you don't respond makes the arrangement even more useful.
17. Disclose Their Apartment Number to Delivery Drivers
When ordering food, you don't always need to provide access to your actual front door. Many apartment buildings allow tenants to collect deliveries from a staffed lobby. That option isn’t available in every complex, but when it is, it can limit how many unfamiliar people learn where you live.
18. Ignore Alarms
A chirping alarm can become annoying, but imagine how much bigger of a mess you’ll deal with by ignoring it! Disabling devices instead of investigating them could easily leave you without an essential warning system. It doesn’t matter if it’s the middle of the night—get up and see what’s making all the fuss.
19. Throw Away Documents Without Shredding Them
Old medical statements, insurance paperwork, credit card offers: these all have details you'd rather keep private. Tossing those directly into a shared recycling bin makes sensitive information easier for other people to find. A basic paper shredder can help protect your identity while keeping unnecessary paperwork under control.
20. Ignore Someone Who Violates Their Privacy
You don’t owe anyone kindness when they violate your boundaries. Repeated unwanted visits from an “acquaintance” isn’t something to ignore; take concerning behavior seriously. Document repeated incidents, tell someone you trust, and contact the authorities if the situation worsens.
