Living alone is a preferred choice by many people especially those who enjoy solitary confines and the peace and quiet that comes along with it.

However, there are possible issues that accompany it such as loneliness when in solitude for long periods and another one is the risk of personal safety in the event of accidents or emergencies.

You have a sense of security when living alone in a rented apartment since property management may be aware of your living preferences and provide you with access to safety measures or communication options. 

However, it may be a bit challenging when living alone in your house where you are solely responsible for your personal safety.

Forces of nature 

Whether it’s a bush or house fire, flood, mice or insect infestation it is always something to consider regardless of whether you are living in a suburban or central business district. 

While living in an apartment may afford you several safety measures such as smoke or fire alarms, it’s something else when you live in a house all by yourself where the risk is doubled when there is no one else around to assist you when needed.

Fire accidents can happen anywhere inside your house such as faulty electrical wiring, a gas leak, an overheated fan motor- there are a lot of potential hazards that can cause it.

As a safety precaution, it is always important to consider having fire extinguishers placed in strategic areas around the house, turn off appliances and unplug wires when no longer in use. 

In flood-prone areas, make sure to create an escape plan that will not waste your time doing and get to safety right away. 

Accidents and physical injuries

One of your biggest concerns when living alone is that you don’t expect anyone to think of you or know if you are doing fine at the moment.

Accidents and physical injuries can happen at times when you least expect them such as slipping on the floor, falling down the stairs or being trapped under a toppled cabinet that fell while you were cleaning it.

It will always be handy to have a first aid kit for minor cuts and injuries, or you can activate your smart devices with your virtual assistant such as Alexa, Siri, and Google to access specified contacts using voice command settings.

Also, establishing a good relationship with neighbours can be good during emergencies so they can help out during emergencies and you can also offer them your assistance when they need it. Having a good sense of community by building your relationships with neighbours can be a good way to have support when needed.

Robberies or home invasions

This is an oft-overlooked situation but does have the likelihood of happening even in low-risk areas. One situation could be that you may have alerted authorities during a break-in, but since your gates are locked and you are locked in safely inside your home, you may not be able to access it and allow authorities to get inside your property.

One idea is to identify a “secret” area outside your home perimeter where you can safely and securely store a duplicate key to the heavy-duty padlock used on your front gates. Just make sure that you alone know the location of this storage area so you can advise authorities where to access it in the event of a break-in emergency or accident.

Make your disaster or emergency plan

It always pays to be prepared for any possible eventuality when you are living alone. For instance, prepare a “go bag” that contains all the basic items that you need should you need to vacate your home in an instant. 

Survival experts suggest that you have essential supplies that could last you for a week or two especially when you are waiting for help to arrive.

Have contact numbers of emergency services handy such as the police and medical services so you can reach out to them right away.

While there are laudable benefits to living alone, it is always critical that you decide to weigh all your options before doing so. If you are currently living alone and may need to have an added measure of confidence for your safety and welfare, make sure to start considering the steps provided and do it right away.