Helpful Personal Safety Tips for Women You Should Know
I like to think I’m on top of my game when it comes to protecting myself, but a recent event opened my eyes to just how easy it is for women to become victims of theft, assault, harassment, or worse. After I talked about this last week, AWSL readers came to the rescue with a list of helpful personal safety tips for women. I hope that their wise words about being situationally aware, along with some additional tips and security tools that I found while researching, will help you be vigilant, prepared, and equipped so that you can be smart and safe both at home and while in public places.
Several readers also suggested this Gift of Fear book, and I’m so glad you did. It’s eye-opening in so many ways. I think every woman should read it.
Tips to Protect Yourself at Home
I know many of us might be aware of our surroundings when we are walking alone at night in a busy downtown area, but what about when we are at home? I know I tend to relax and let my guard down when I am at our house, but researching this post reminded me just how many home burglaries occur annually in the United States (hint: it’s in the millions!). To be more specific, a home burglary happens every 30 seconds in the United States. This is such a wake-up call, but fortunately, there are ways to enjoy your home and feel safe and secure while still remaining vigilant and aware.
#1 Reinforce Window and Door Locks
Have you ever heard the saying that a lock only keeps an honest man out? Locking your windows and doors is a no-brainer, but it’s smart to protect your home from intruders by reinforcing window and door locks. Did you know that sliding doors and windows, as well as french doors, are notorious for being an easy entrance for burglars? Adding an additional security measures like these sliding door and window locks is an affordable solution.
#2 Install a Security System
Luckily even if it isn’t in your budget to have an expensive security system installed by a major company, you can find affordable and reliable security monitoring systems online. From cameras pointed at your entrances like these outdoor cameras from Blink to systems that notify you if your doors or windows are opened, it’s easy to add an additional set of eyes and ears to your home.
#3 Don’t Share Too Much on Social Media
Nothing makes your home a sitting duck quite like announcing to the masses when you are out of town. Instead, I like to share photos of a recent vacation after I return home. I also am very cognizant of sharing photos of my home exterior or images that contain any personal information like my address online. My daughter suggested I share photos after I’ve left a location, so that’s what I do now.
#4 Be Aware When Entering, Exiting, and Opening the Doors to Your Home
I try to be very aware of my surroundings when I’m opening an exterior door to my house because you never know when someone is lurking around waiting for an opportunity to gain access to you or your home. I always look through the peephole before answering the door, and I’ll even use our ring system speaker to speak to someone if I don’t want to open the door. When I return home from an errand or day out of the house, I pull into the garage and close the overhead door before unlocking my car and going into the house. Make sure to lock your car (especially if you have a garage door opener in your car!) and bring your car keys inside.
#5 Close Your Curtains and Blinds or Add a Window Film
You may think that “Peeping Toms” are a thing of the past, but they definitely still exist. Make sure you are closing your curtains or window blinds at night when you switch on the lights. If you have a large glass exterior door you cannot add blinds or a curtain to, you can add a privacy film like this to help prevent this disgusting invasion of your privacy.
#6 Hide Proof of Expensive Purchases
We’ve all seen the thieves on the news that snatch packages directly off of someone’s porch during the holidays. Did you know you can specify which door of your home you would like your packages delivered to (like a back porch or a side entrance)? You can even buy a special box to have your packages placed in so they aren’t sitting on your front porch or stoop catching a dishonest person’s eye. I also recommend not displaying empty boxes from expensive purchases. An empty television box sitting on the curb for recycling day is like an advertisement for a burglar.
Shop Safety Devices to Help You Stay Safe At Home:
Personal Safety Tips and Tools for Women in Public
As I shared last week, I was recently the victim of a car break-in where our window was smashed, and one of my favorite tote bags was taken from the floor of the vehicle. I was fortunate that I had my credit cards and cell phone safely with me, but many aren’t so lucky.
Even worse than car break-ins are the daily news reports of women being harassed, assaulted, kidnapped, or worse while they are doing mundane activities like exercising, running errands, or returning to their car from dinner. I hate that we, as women, have to put so much effort into returning home unharmed, but I hope that today’s tips and safety devices will help you stay safe and aware as you go out into public.
#1 Be Aware
Your eyes and ears are your greatest tools to help you stay safe in a public environment. Make sure your eyes are on your surroundings and not looking down at your phone. I love using my Airpods to listen to an audiobook or a podcast, but I’m situationally aware enough only to wear one earbud when walking outside. Limit your distractions and obtain a higher level of awareness. If you like to have an adult beverage with dinner or visit a brewery or bar on occasion, please be cognizant of your drink at all times or use a drink cover like this one if you’re in a crowded venue.
This includes being aware as you are leaving your destination as well! AWSL reader Cindy suggested looking into your backseat before getting in your car to make sure someone isn’t sitting back there waiting for you to return, and Yvonne mentioned parking near a light pole so she doesn’t have to approach her car in the dark.
#2 Be Prepared
Make sure your phone is fully charged. Inform yourself about current events and anticipate risks, like a large political rally, a road closure, or your tire going flat.
One AWSL life reader, Kim, says she makes sure to keep her car gas tank at least half full. This is a great idea and prevents you from having to stop at a shady gas station after dark or end up on the side of the road stranded with an empty tank. A great tip Lin added is to lock your passenger car door while you’re getting gas because it’s so easy for someone to open the door to grab your wallet or purse.
Several readers suggested if you’re going to be getting out of your car without your purse that, you should put the bag into your trunk before leaving for your destination so that nearby thieves don’t see where you are placing your belongings. If you are going to leave your purse in the car and not the trunk, don’t do what I did and leave it on the floorboard. Slide it under a seat or cover it with a jacket. This also applies to your purchases! I can’t tell you how many people I’ve heard of that get their car broken into while they are shopping because their shopping bags were in plain sight.
#3 Let Friends and Loved Ones Know Where You’re Going
Whether you choose to let a loved one have access to your location or if you just check in when arriving and leaving your destination, be in communication with someone who will contact authorities if they do not hear from you by a certain timeframe. I would take it one step further and invite a friend or loved one to go with you! We’ve all heard of the buddy system and probably preached it to our children while they were growing up, but it’s a valuable safety tip that can help keep you safe as well.
#3 Equip Yourself
There are safety devices that a female can discreetly carry with them in the case of an attack. I like to carry a personal alarm on my keychain. This tool has a loud siren and a flashing strobe light to get people’s attention and to scare off the person with ill intent. AWSL reader Linlee says she carries a high-powered whistle around her neck. I like to carry a small can of pepper spray when walking the trails near my house, but it would be a smart addition to your bag when you are going anywhere alone, like a hotel or walking back to your car from dinner. Stun guns are legal in most states in the United States if you feel comfortable handling that type of tool.
If you’re staying the night in a hotel or an Airbnb, give yourself a little extra piece of mind with a tool to keep your door safely locked, like this portable door lock or this door stop alarm.
If you’re concerned about valuables being stolen, you can always place an Airtag or tracking device in a discreet location. However, I believe I would pass along the tracking information to the authorities rather than chase my stolen items myself!
#4 Leave the Flashy and Expensive Items at Home
Be subtle in what jewelry and accessories you choose when you’re out and about by yourself or at night. You don’t want to be wearing or carrying any type of accessory that is going to make a thief interested in you. In that same vein, be careful having an expensive camera around your neck as a tourist in a busy city or carrying a tablet or laptop where it can be seen by the public.
#5 Take Self-Defense Classes
If you are physically fit enough, I highly encourage you to enroll in a self-defense class. It’s absolutely priceless to be able to protect and defend yourself from an assailant.
Shop Safety Devices to Help You Stay Safe in Public:
Is there anything else you can recommend that I haven’t mentioned here?
Excellent post. Have now ordered a couple of the items you mentioned. Better to be prepared!
Stay safe, Edith, I agree with you.
Very helpful and informative post, Jennifer!
For places that I go regularly, I try to park in the same area (near the same light pole, on the same line of parking spaces, etc.) whenever possible. This keeps me from walking out the door of the establishment and looking around the parking lot for my car. I can head quickly for my car instead of wandering. Before I exit the store I put my keys on a stretchy band on my wrist where the “unlock button” is easy for me to reach and my arthritic hands don’t have to juggle unnecessary items. I also think about which shopping bag would pack the most punch if I had to swing it at someone – that one goes on my right arm or in easy reach in the cart. I lock the door immediately when I get inside.
Very smart, Melanie! I love these ideas. Thank you for sharing them.
So agree that awareness is the key to personal safety. That being said another means to curtail abduction is; in event that you find yourself in the need of a cab service it is best to prearrange, or ensure that prior to closing the vehicle door that it actually is one.
-Brenda-
Thanks for the tip re programming of door locks. I need to check if I can do it on my car. I never get into the car without checking if anyone is in the back. I’ve taught my kids (a son and daughter) to always be aware of what’s around them, what people are wearing etc. In case they need to report if something happens. I’ve also told them to never leave a friend on their own, if they need to use public toilets to always go together, have heard shocking stories of young children allowed to go on their own and been assaulted (in Australia).
I agree. That’s happened in the US too. I never let my children go into a public restroom alone.
Several of my nieces have had the same experiences in their local CA Targets as Lezlie. They were followed around in the store, and so they alerted an employee who immediately had security involved. Another time in the same Target parking lot a niece was followed by several men who she felt were attempting to abduct her. She raced to her car, locked herself in and as she drove away the men actually started banging on her car (too bad she didn’t run them over!). She drove to a nearby fire station, and the firemen called the police. Now the girls never go to Target alone. So very frightening, but thankful that they are always alert just as we should be.
She was smart and lucky!! That’s a very frightening experience. We need to teach our younger girls to be careful too.
Great post. Thank you for researching this and pulling it all together for us. One thing I would like to note is that you are modeling for us an important and positive response to your unsettling experience of having your car broken into — you took action to learn how to be safer yourself, and now you are sharing information and helpful products with all of us.
I want us all to be safe and aware. I’m glad this post was helpful
Thank you, this is a great post. I am a retired probation officer and am very aware of safety. Even in this day and age many women are too trusting and polite. Never let a stranger into your house. If somebody is at the door and wants help tell them, you will call the police to come and help them. I have motion lights around my house. A policeman friend said that my small, alert and yappy dog was a great deterrent as criminals are usually opportunists and will skip a house that has a noisy dog.
I agree, a noisy dog is a great deterrant.