If a girl lives alone

By Myrto, SAFIGI Volunteer

Living alone can be a great experience and rewarding on so many levels. However, if you live alone, there are some steps you need to take to make sure that your environment is safe for you. The best step to take is to remove your home address from your online profile, website or even your CV. No one needs to know where you stay unless they are an active part of your life.

Another thing is to make sure that you live in a safe neighborhood where crime rate is low. In any case, it doesn’t hurt to install an alarm system, a surveillance camera outside your home and secure the doors and windows. Always lock your doors and windows if you are going out and build a healthy relationship with your neighbors if possible so that they can help you if you have some trouble.

Do not bring strangers into your phone by any means and if someone comes to your door asking to use your phone, do not let them in, instead direct them to a public payphone nearby or lend them your cellphone to use outside. The same goes for someone who knocks at your door asking to use your toilet, direct them to the nearest public toilet.

In fact, if you do not feel comfortable about opening the door if someone is knocking, don’t open at all, whether you know the person or not. Only bring trusted persons in. Keep a trusted person or loved one on speeddial and let them know that you could call them in case of an emergency. Build a network of friends who will be able to check on you to make sure that you are alright and be a good friend and check on others too.

Another thing is keep your living space clean at all times and make sure the food in your fridge is fresh and not expired. This will help you prevent all type of diseases. If you are planning to cook, be mindful and don’t neglect the food you are cooking to multi-task, this may cause you to forget and could lead to a fire. Switch off all appliances when you finish using not only to prevent fires but to all conserve energy. Make sure your heating system works well too.

Make the most out of living alone and make your home an atmosphere that you love and is refreshing to you. Be safe.

ABOUT MYRTO

" I'm studying Journalism and Mass Media Communication and I'm very passionate about human rights and equality. I tend to think the best for most people I meet and I want to live in a world where we don't need to constantly be on guard and suspicious with others, a world where everyone has equal opportunities and rights and everyone is safe. "