I came across a chilling social media post today that got me to thinking about something I had never considered before, as someone who stays alone. A woman narrated how she passed out after she tripped and fell in her bathroom. What was even more chilling was the fact that other people commented on having experienced something similar.
Personal safety concerns for the majority of individuals who stay alone typically involves standard precautions for home security to deter burglaries. One rarely takes into account the risk of accidents and injuries which might occur while they are alone in the safety of their homes. Staying alone means that one is entirely responsible for their own safety. Below are safety issues to consider if you stay alone;
Appliance and electrical safety. A fire can happen at any time in your home and can be triggered by malfunctioning appliances or electrical faults (backup lighting such as candles during a blackout). Before going to bed, perform routine safety checks to ensure all appliances are turned off. Always double-check everything that has to be turned off (a hot plate, cooker, or gas stove) and make necessary repairs to appliances that might trigger a fire. It is also a good idea to keep a personal fire extinguisher or fire blanket on hand in case of a fire emergency.
Know your exit options. One of the most important things to do is have a clear exit plan. Ensure you keep your house keys where they are easily accessible. It is also necessary to repair problematic doors or windows to ensure an easy escape , be safe but not trapped.
Have your loved ones check in on you regularly. A while ago, I saw I came across a Tweet asking “if something were to happen to you, how long would it take for anyone to discover you”. No one ever wants to think about that but still, it is critical to consider the possibility of that happening. Regular or routine communication with your loved ones means that people can reach out to you sooner in case of an accident. Knowing that someone will easily sense if something is wrong with you can also help put your mind at ease. It might also help to provide a closest loved one with a spare key to your house.
Your annoying neighbor might save your life. In today's world, where many of us are so preoccupied with our own lives, getting to know other people might seem like a bother or unnecessary. However, being friendly and getting to know your neighbors might actually save your life. Remember, your neighbors will be the first to notice when your front lights haven’t been on for days. Exchange phone numbers and look out for each other whenever possible.
A list of emergency contacts. Keep your emergency contacts somewhere accessible or somewhere other than in your password-protected phone. On top of that, have contacts of your local area police station, fire station and hospital. It helps a great deal if you establish a cordial relationship with the local authorities in those departments.
A furry companion. Dogs and cats are excellent companions, but they can also prove to be very useful. In case of an emergency, they can help alert you when something is wrong and might assist in getting help if something ever happened to you.
Finally, be safe by eliminating factors that could potentially lead to accidents in your home, such as slippery floors, a malfunctioning wiring system, or loose cabinets.
Staying alone for the most part is fun, be safe !
So insightful. Thank you