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Safety for Women Living Alone
Personal Safety for Women Living Alone
1. General Information.
7 million people in 2001, compared with 1.5 million in 1952 single person
households now make up nearly one third of all households in the UK. Today
about half of people living alone are below pensionable age.
Initial results from the 2001 census (full results will be available
by the end of 2003) show that 7% of women aged between 50-59 are divorced.
The figures given in 1996 by Household Survey show that the percentage
of women living alone, broken down by age group are as follows
Age:
30 - 39 5%
40 - 49 6%
50 - 59 14%
60 - 69 25%
One other fact is that 20% of children now live in lone parent families.
If you are a woman living on your own I hope you will find the following
safety tips useful, whatever your age.
2. Personal Safety
Wherever you live in the UK, a major city or in the remote depths of
the countryside, the change of your being a victim of violent crime in
the home is extremely low. Violent crimes in the home are still comparatively
rare and account for a very small part of recorded crime. Your chance
of being burgled is, I am afraid, much higher, so it is worth thinking
sensibly about precautions you can take to make your home more secure.
- Fit good locks and bolts to outside doors (but keep a key nearby
to enable you to get out quickly in the event of fire.
- Fit window locks to all windows if possible, but certainly to all
ground floor windows.
- If other people, such as previous tenants, could still have keys
that fit, ask your landlord if you can change the locks.
- Never give keys to workman or tradesmen, as they can easily be copied.
- If you wake to hear the sound of an intruder, only you can decide
how best to handle the situation. You may want to lie quietly to avoid
attracting attention to yourself, in the hope that they will leave.
Or you may feel more confident if you switch on the lights and make
a lot of noise by moving about. Even if you are on your own you can
call out loudly to an imaginary companion - most burglars will flee
empty-handed rather than risking a confrontation. Ring the police as
soon as it's safe for you to do so.
- A telephone extension in your bedroom will make you feel more secure
as it allows you to call the police immediately, without alerting the
intruder. Or keep your mobile phone with you in the bedroom at night.
- Always draw your curtains after dark.
- Only use your surname and initials in the telephone directory (or
on the doorplate). That way a stranger won't know if a man or a woman
lives there.
- If you see signs of a break-in at your home, like a smashed window
or open door, don't go in. Go to a neighbour, or use your mobile phone
to call the police.
- If you are selling your home, don't show people around on your own.
Ask your estate agent to send a representative with anyone who wants
to view your house.
- When you answer the phone simply say "hello", don't give
your number. If the caller claims to have a wrong number, ask him or
her to repeat the number required. Never reveal any information about
yourself to a stranger and never say you are alone in the house.
- If you receive an abusive or threatening phone calls, put the receiver
down beside the phone, and walk away. Come back a few minutes later
and replace the receiver, don't listen to see if the caller is still
there. Don't say anything - an emotional reaction is just what the caller
wants. This allows the caller to say what he or she wants to say, without
causing distress to you. If the calls continue, tell the police and
the operator and keep a record of the date and time of each call. This
may help the authorities trace the caller.
- Don't have your first name printed on your cheques just have your
initials.
3. Staying safe when you are out and about
- If you often walk home in the dark, get a personal attack alarm from
a DIY store or ask your local crime prevention officer where you can
buy one. Carry it in your hand so you can use it immediately to scare
off an attacker. Make sure it is designed to continue sounding if it's
dropped or falls to the ground.
- Carry your bag close to you with clasp facing inwards. Carry your
house keys in your pocket. If someone grabs your bag, let it go, If
you hang on you could get hurt. Remember your safety is more important
than your property.
- If you think someone is following you, check by crossing the street
- more than once if necessary - to see if he follows you. If you are
still worried, get to the nearest place where they are other people
- a put or anywhere with a lot of lights one - and call the police.
Avoid using an enclosed phonebox in the street.
- If you regularly go jogging or cycling, try to vary your route and
time. Stick to well-lit roads with pavements. On commons and parklands
keep to main paths and open spaces where you can see and be seen by
other people - avoid wooded areas. If you wear a personal stereo, remember
you can't hear traffic, or somebody approaching behind you.
- Don't take short-cuts through dark alleys, parks or across waste
ground. Walk facing the traffic so a car cannot pull up behind you unnoticed.
- If a car stops and you are threatened, scream and shout, and set
off your personal attack alarm if you have one. Get away as quickly
as you can. This will gain you vital seconds and make it more difficult
for the car driver to follow. If you can, make a mental note of the
number and description of the car. Write down details as soon as possible
afterwards.
- Don't hitch-hike or take lifts from strangers.
- Cover up expensive looking jewellery.
Self-defence and safety awareness classes may help you feel more secure.
Ask your local police or your work if they have classes.
4. Staying safe in taxis
- If you are going to be out late, try to arrange a lift home or book
a taxi. Check that the taxi that arrives is the one you ordered.
- There are many reputable mini-cab or private hire car companies,
but these must be booked either at their office or by phone. In some
cases the driver will carry identification. Always keep the number of
a reliable firm handy. Avoid mini-cabs or private hire cars that tout
for business.
- Always sit behind the driver.
- If in any doubt, don't get in a taxi
5. When Driving
- Before a long trip, make sure your vehicle is in good condition.
- Plan how to get to your destination before leaving, and stay on main
roads if you can.
- Make sure you have enough money and petrol.
- It is advisable for a woman on her own to have a mobile phone with
her.
- Keep change and a phone card with you in case you need to make a
call in an area where your mobile cannot connect.
- Before you leave, tell anyone you are planning to meet what time
you think you will get there, and the route you are taking.
- Don't pick up hitch-hikers
- Keep doors locked when driving and keep any bag, carphone or valuables
out of sight. If you have the window open, open wind it down a little.
Don't wind it down far enough to allow someone to reach in while you
are stopped in traffic.
- If you think you are being followed, try to alert others by flashing
your lights and sounding your horn. Make as much noise as possible.
If you can, keep driving until you come to a busy place.
- After dark, park in a well-lit busy place. Look around before you
get out. If you are parking in daylight, but coming back for your car
at night, think about how things will look in the dark.
- Have your key ready when you go back to your car. Make sure there
is no-one in the car.
- If your car develops problems, find a telephone or use your mobile.
On motorways follow the marker arrows to the closest phone. They are
never placed any more than a mile apart, on opposite sided of the motorway.
Never cross the carriageway to use a phone.
- While on the hard shoulder or telephoning, keep a sharp look-out and
never accept lifts from strangers - wait for the police or breakdown
service. Don't wait in the car - there is a high risk of an accident.
Wait on the embankment nearby with the front passenger door open. If
someone approaches you or you feel threatened, lock yourself in the
car and speak to them through a small gap in the window.
A lot of the information given above came from The Home Office guide
- "Your
Practical Guide to Crime Prevention".
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