How To Feel Safer If You Live in Your Apartment Alone

Living alone comes with countless benefits and comforts that many find hard to pass up — like increased privacy, enduring peace and quiet, and freedom to decorate and live how you want. It’s not surprise that, according to Axios, 17.6% of renters lived alone in 2022. 

For some, living alone might bring about concerns related to personal safety and security. But with a few tips, tricks, and strategies from a professional like Kailee Billerbeck, CEO of Everyday Armor LLC, the combined self-defense podcast, course, blog, and social media channel, you might find that those benefits and comforts can still outweigh any doubts that creep in when you’re home alone for the first time.

If you’re considering living alone and decide to tour an apartment, there are some simple and helpful safety tips you can take into account to help you choose a safe unit. First, Billerbeck tells us that researching the area — especially if you’ve just moved to a new city — is always a good idea. “You can look up crime rates and sex offender registries,” she says, “but I'm a huge advocate for word of mouth.” You can ask neighbors while you’re touring and talk to friends or coworkers who have lived in the area before. 

When you pick a unit, Billerbeck recommends opting for one of the units above the ground floor, and check that the window locks work when you tour the space. If you’re looking at an apartment complex, you can also read reviews online and ask the building manager questions about the security measures in place. Here are some things you might ask about the apartment building:

Above all, when looking at apartments through the safety-first lens, Billerbeck says to be diligent and use your intuition. “Tour in person, look at the surrounding area and businesses, trust your gut, and listen to what people have to say,” she says. 

When it comes to enhancing your sense of security while living in your own place, investing in certain low-cost products and simple lifestyle changes can make a significant difference.

First, Billerbeck recommends placing wooden dowels on the tracks of your closed sliding doors (along the bottom track) and windows (standing up against either side) when you’re inside your home. This way, even if the door or window is unlocked, it won’t budge if someone tries to open it. (You may want to retire your spare key under the mat, as well.) She also says curtains are essential to maintaining privacy, and even cheap security cameras and visible signs that you have a dog can be a deterrent to burglars — so, if you’ve been looking for one more sign to adopt a dog, this could be it. 

Besides safety elements you can buy for your apartment, Billerbeck says maintaining good relationships with your next door neighbors can contribute to your home safety, as they can help watch for suspicious activity, and you can check in on each other and provide assistance in case of emergencies. 

If you decide to splurge on any one item for your safety, even if just for your peace of mind, Billerbeck says that it should be a home security system. “I have one that has sensors all around my home, including sliding doors, and I get alerted every time someone comes near my front door,” she says. 

The alarm system can give you peace of mind at night or during the day. In fact, “most break-ins happen in the middle of the day from about 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.,” Billerbeck says.

Gaining skills and strategies for emergency situations is one of the most effective ways to feel safer and more confident when living alone, according to Billerbeck. 

One of her main pieces of advice, besides always locking your windows and doors, is to have a plan in place in case of emergency. “If things go wrong, consider how you'll contact 911 and what tactical items you're trained to use around your house,” she says. Billerbeck also advises that you should only attempt to flee your house if you can do so safely; otherwise, decide ahead of time on a hiding place and plan to quietly call (or text, where available) 911. 

To decrease your vulnerability to break-ins, get in the habit of regularly maintaining the exterior of your apartment, if applicable, which can deter potential intruders by making it appear that the house is occupied and well-cared for. Additionally, bring your packages inside as quickly as possible, especially if they contain valuables, and don’t post on social media naming specific days you’re going to be out of town. 

Additionally, Billerbeck highly recommends investing in self defense classes. Having an arsenal of self-defense moves and mental strategies empowers you and enhances your safety and ability to remain calm and defend yourself in a dire situation. She says weekly classes will boost your safety the most, but any foundation (like this PDF version of her course) can make a difference — even if you’re just building a mental defense. 

“You don't want to take a class that's just physical, because safety is a lot more than that,” Billerbeck says. Billerbeck’s classes debunk safety myths and focus heavily on mental and situational safety. “Confidence is huge with safety and self defense, and any self defense class should boost that.” she says. 

Ultimately, when it comes to your safety in your home, Billerbeck says it’s all about controlling what you can control and using common sense so that you’re prepared and confident in an unexpected situation. “So, instill daily habits to mitigate chances of things going wrong, always remain alert and aware, trust your gut, and remember to live life.”