Whether you’re a married mother of two who lives in an incredibly safe neighborhood or you’re a single mother and living in a more violent area, there are steps that you can take to make sure that you, your family (and pets), and your home are as safe as possible.
While it’s true that San Diego is a relatively safe place to live–statistics show our fair county’s current crime rate is the lowest it’s been in 35 years–many women still feel like the city and county could be safer…especially for individuals who identify as female.
Whether you’re a married mother of two who lives in an incredibly safe neighborhood or you’re a single mother and living in one of San Diego’s more violent areas, there are steps that you can take to make sure that you, your family (and pets), and your home are as safe as possible. Here are some of the steps that will keep you safest:
At Home
If you own your own home one of the best things that you can do is install a security system (and if you’re a renter, ask your landlord to install one for you). In a recent survey, more than 80% of burglars admitted to trying to find evidence of a security system before deciding whether or not to rob a home and about half of those burglars said that the presence of a security system is what made them move on to another target.
Security systems have come a long way since we were kids. Even the basic levels of security systems offered these days, says ADT home security, have infrared motion detectors, keychain remotes, entryway sensors, digital keypads, etc. The most extensive security package averages around $50 a month and includes email and text alerts when the system is triggered. You can find more information about this at http://home-security.co/adt-home-security/California/S/San-Diego/ .
In addition to a security system, there are a lot of basic and cost effective measures you can take to increase your home’s safety. Using dowlings in your windows and sliding glass door tracks prevents people from sliding your windows open to break in, a door stop pushed under the door after you’ve closed it prevents it from being opened without your permission. Chain and security locks can also go a long way toward keeping nefarious types out.
Out in the Wild
Perhaps the biggest and most effective tip for staying safe when you leave your house is to always have a buddy, especially at night. Women who walk, run and even drive alone are more likely to be assaulted than those who are with a friend or, even better, a group. If you do have to go out on your own (and who doesn’t like her alone time every once in a while?) take the following precautions.
Walk in the middle of the sidewalk, this prevents you from being grabbed by people hiding in doorways and by those who might try to grab you from a moving car.
Stick to well lit and highly populated areas. It is worth it to walk the extra two blocks out of your way if those two blocks are better lit and have more people than the one block short cut you were thinking of taking.
Earbuds in during the day and out at night. During the day, your earbuds are a great deterrent against unwanted conversations. They are the equivalent to waving a “leave me alone” flag. At night, though, they make it look like you aren’t paying attention and that you won’t be able to hear someone sneaking up behind you.
Fist your keys. Carry your keys so that the keys poke out between your fingers. This adds some bite to your punch if you are attacked and have to hit someone.
Carry a non-deadly weapon like mace and make sure you know exactly how and when to use it.
Tell people your schedule. Let someone know where you are going, how long you’ll be there, when you’ll be back, etc. This way if you don’t show up at your appointed time, someone will notice. This is particularly important at night, especially if you think you will have to get into a cab or Uber alone.
Use Apps. Personal safety apps have come a long way over the last few years. Our favorite is the SafeTrek app. Unlike other apps that require you to push buttons to alert a friend and/or the authorities of an unsafe situation, SafeTrek requires you to push a button so that it doesn’t. You activate the app whenever a situation feels dangerous.
Then, if you don’t push a specific button within a specific time frame, the app alerts the authorities and sends them GPS coordinates to your location. This way, if you get attacked, you don’t have to worry about trying to navigate your phone to get help.
Mostly, staying safe–both at home and out in the world–is about using your head and staying alert. Don’t ever assume that you’ll be the exception. Use these tips to help you do that.
Identity Magazine is all about empowering women to get all A’s in the game of life — Accept. Appreciate. Achieve.TM Every contributor and expert answer the Identity 5 questions in keeping with our theme. Their answers can be random and in the moment or they can be aligned with the above article. As a team, we hope to inspire and motivate ourselves and inspire you to get all A’s.
1. What have you accepted within your life, physically and/or mentally? What are you still working on accepting?
I am still working on accepting that there are people with intolerant minds and that you won’t be able to change everyone’s opinion.
2. What have you learn to appreciate about yourself and/or within your life, physically and mentally? What are you still working on to appreciate?
I’ve learned to appreciate my creative side and work ethic.
3. What is one of your most rewarding achievements in life? What makes YOU most proud? What goals and dreams do you still have?
I’m most proud of what I’ve been able to achieve in my career thus far and I would like to raise it to new heights!
4. We all have imperfections, so we think. The truth–we are all perfectly imperfect. What are your not-so-perfect ways? What imperfections and quirks create who you are–your Identity?
I can be an introvert, which tends to make it seem like I am avoiding people around me when that is not the case at all.
5. “I Love My…” is an outlet for you to express and appreciate all the positive traits that make you…well… YOU! Sharing what you love about yourself will make you smile, feel empowered, and uplift your spirit and soul. (we assure you!) Identity challenges you to complete the phrase “I Love My…?”
I love my artwork!
Courtesy Image FreeDigitalImages.net – “Silhouetted Commercial Airplane Flying Above The Sea At Sunset” by satit_srihin
