Safety Ideas - who living alone

- 10 safety mantras for those living alone And, although living alone in a new city or town can be a challenging experience, it also means you need to be more careful about safety. These are the 10 rules required to abide by to stay safe.

1. Keep personal information personal

Do not give out your mobile number or address to strangers. This thwarts unwanted visits or calls from people with dubious motives. ban" directories and club lists. equest to be de!listed from

2. Answering the doorbell? Stay alert

A peephole is a must, as is a security chain attached to the door. #ome deliveries should be attended to at the door, so "eep your money ready before opening it. Apply the same rule to A$$ strangers.

3. Observe your surroundings

%hen choosing a home to rent, ma"e sure the path to your home is well lit. are replaced instantly. Dar" places can encourage crime, so watch out. eport

non!functional streetlights in your society and ensure that fused bulbs in your building

4. Be an alert traveler
& never wear headphones while traveling late' it cuts me off from the outside world and may give the impression that & am not alert, ma"ing me seem vulnerable. ! &f you are using public transport, avoid discussing personal details on the phone. (e watchful about being followed and ta"e a self!defence course if possible. %hile driving alone, loc" yourself up in the car and don)t ever give lifts to strangers. ! (ipin Doshi, an executive producer with *ahara +ne who often travels late, has a useful tip, -Don)t let the cab driver ta"e a )shortcut) through un"nown lanes and be more careful if he has been chatty along the way.-

uchi"a Agarwal, an art director who has been living in .umbai on her own says,

-& never share taxis with strangers at night and always "eep my cell phone charged while on the move. & also carry pepper spray. & may sound paranoid, but & don)t there)s anything wrong with being concerned for your safety.&f a situation arises, remember the eyes are the most vulnerable part of the body, so attac" a predator there. The nec" and "nees are the next two sensitive areas. /ou may be wea"er than your predator but, if you ma"e some smart moves, you can escape.

5. Keep friends !olleagues and family informed

.a"e sure they all have your home address. 0eep a friend)s number on speed dial. &f possible, alert one or two friends about your late night schedule so they can raise an alarm if they can)t reach you for a while. &f you are traveling out of town, "eep your family and friends informed, and call them when you get bac".

6. Se!ure your home

.a"e sure to loc" your door before stepping out, even if it is for 1ust five minutes. 2et a good branded loc" and fix new ones when moving into a new place 3with the permission of the landlord, of course4. This will ensure that previous tenants can)t snea" in.

7. Be !areful with your "eys

0eep car and house "eys separate. & ma"e it a point never to give my bunched house and car "eys to valet par"ing attendants at clubs. These "eys can easily be duplicated, while your address can be obtained from your car)s license plate. Also, while duplicating your house "eys, stand and get it done yourself instead of coming bac" to pic" it up later. 5nsure the "ey!ma"er is not ma"ing two sets. Do not hide "eys under the doormat, over the ledge of the door or in the garden, and never leave them with security guards at your housing society.

8. #iring house help?

%hen you move into a new place, do not hire the first maid who wal"s into your house or one willing to charge the least money. Tal" to the neighbours if possible. #iring a maid referred by a trusted neighbour could be your best bet. &t is also a good idea to register her details with the nearest police station.

9. If you get lo!"ed out

0eep a duplicate set of "eys with a friend who lives nearby. /ou could also "eep a pair in your office drawer, which must be "ept loc"ed. &f your landlord lives nearby, you can borrow his or her copy for an emergency, but that means you need his or her number on your cell phone.

10. $oing out of town?

*hut all windows and doors' switch off all lights and electrical appliances. /ou could consider "eeping the lights at the entrance on, to illuminate possible hiding places around your house. Avoid leaving "eys behind with neighbours not well "nown to you. The bottom line is being smart and you stay safe.