Beware, burglars! 6 safety tips for single women
The Federal Statistical Office has summarized the results in a new report, "Living Alone in Germany." In 2011, 15.9 million people lived alone—that's 20 percent of those over 18. Only in Sweden is the proportion of single-person households higher. Single women over 65 make up the largest proportion of single-person households—there are over four million of them. Most of them are widows. Burglaries of elderly women living alone are frequently reported in the news. Since 2004, an elderly woman from Hagen has experienced four burglaries in her home; she died during the fifth. This is not an isolated incident; there are many similar cases of elderly women living alone who have had money stolen and who have suffered more or less serious injuries.
Today, living alone has become the norm for many young people. There are many reasons why they choose to do so. Some live alone in big cities due to their work situation, or students live in their university town. While they can enjoy the freedom of their own four walls, they also face certain security risks. The safety of women living alone is a serious issue.
A friend of mine came home after a hard day at work and found the front door open and the house in disarray. All the cash in the drawers was gone, as were her valuable bags and jewelry. She immediately called the police, who immediately came and took her statement. However, the investigation into this case made little progress afterward, and similar cases occurred every day. A Chinese proverb says: Prevention is better than cure.
Below are safety tips for single women:
1. Choose a safe environment
If you're considering moving, you should consider the security of the area beforehand. If you're unfamiliar with the city, you can research it online beforehand. You can also ask passersby or neighbors how safe the neighborhood is and whether there have been any burglaries there. A safe living environment significantly reduces the risk of burglary.
2. Get to know your neighbors
An old saying goes, "A distant relative is less important than a close neighbor." There's some truth to that, because your neighbors can inform you immediately if something is wrong in your apartment. They can also keep an eye on your apartment if you're away for an extended period. Tip: When you move in, introduce yourself to your neighbors and bring them fresh flowers or chocolates. That's always well-received. 😉
3. The use of home security systems
Single women are advised to install security systems for their homes. Home monitoring devices such as smart doorbells and cameras can be used to monitor your home at any time when you are not at home. Up to 88% of burglars are deterred if the house has a visible surveillance system. Surveillance cameras are available for the interior and exterior of a house. The PT-300Q indoor camera from Chuango Smart Home is perfect for single women. The 350° horizontal and 110° vertical rotation allows for comprehensive monitoring. The camera detects human movements through AI algorithms and immediately triggers an alarm to notify you of an intrusion. The live footage from these cameras can be viewed from anywhere on smartphones and mobile devices.
Additionally, it's important to strengthen the security of doors and windows to prevent break-ins. The OV-300 Smart WiFi Alarm System is easy to install. The door/window sensor triggers an alarm when it detects that a door or window has been opened. When you're at home, you can activate disarm mode to prevent accidental alarms from being triggered.
4. Make “masculine” clothing visible
Another interesting option is to hang some men's clothing in a prominent location , such as on the balcony. Leave a pair of men's shoes by the door, and the apartment will look more lived-in.
In short, if you hide the fact that a woman lives alone here, the likelihood of a break-in decreases.
5. Turn on the light
There are significantly more burglaries in winter than in summer. "During the dark season, you can tell from the lights as early as 5 p.m. whether someone is home," says Chief Inspector Michael Neumann (58), head of Hamburg's LKA-19 "Castle."
Smart light bulbs can help in this situation. You can control the lights remotely via the app when you're not home, creating the illusion that someone is in the house. Multiple light bulbs can be connected via the app and turned on or off with a single click. They can even be linked to our security systems. The light bulb's alarm mode also serves as a visual deterrent in the event of a break-in.
6. Pay attention to strangers
Of course, dangers can lurk anywhere, but nowadays there are good ways and means to protect yourself on the street and at home.
If there's a knock at your front door, don't just open it, but first find out who's standing there.
Don't wear headphones or play with your phone when you're out alone in the evening, as you could be followed unnoticed.
If you notice that you are being followed, find a busy place and turn to passersby or neighbors for help.
It can also be very useful to carry a pocket alarm with you so that you can draw attention to yourself in an emergency.
If you are taking a taxi home alone at night, send the license plate number to a friend or family member so they can respond in an emergency.
Conclusion
For some people, living alone can improve the index of a happy life and focus more on themselves.
If the living environment is safe and you can face life calmly, you can proudly say "I can take care of myself alone", you will not feel tired of busy life and you can enjoy it better at home.
There are many people for whom living alone is the essence of a happy life. There are good reasons for this. You lead a self-determined life, can do whatever you want, and don't have to make any compromises. However, people living alone are particularly vulnerable to burglaries. To avoid these, it's essential to ensure a safe living environment and, if possible, to secure your own home. Then nothing stands in the way of a relaxed life alone.