I've never liked living in an apartment.
Too many people around me, I have to be too quiet, I can't have a big dog.
In fact some apartments won't allow any dogs.
But that makes sense.
When you live on the second or third floor it isn't always easy to let your dog out to do his business in the middle of the night.
But without a dog you don't have that sense of protection, that sense of being safe in your apartment that even a small dog can offer.
Of course some people love apartments.
No lawn to mow, a smaller area to keep clean and you are surrounded by other people.
I've lived in a couple of apartments.
I had a cat.
He wasn't much use as a protector.
So, how can a single woman feel safe in an apartment? Crimes still happen in apartments.
Being surrounded by people who live in the units around you isn't enough to keep you safe.
In fact, you have no idea what kind of people are living around you when you move in.
It would be easy for someone in another unit near you to keep an eye on your comings and goings.
That may not always be a good thing depending on the type of person it is who is watching you.
So, what will it take for a single woman to feel safe living in an apartment? Well, there are actually several things you can do to protect yourself when living alone.
You can obtain a glass breakage alarm, which will sound off if anyone tries to open a window or even a door in the middle of the night, caused by the vibration.
Another tool is a magnetic door alarm which has 2 pieces, one that bolts to the window or door frame and the other that attaches to the window or door.
Anyone opening the window or door will set off the alarm.
How about a mini alert alarm? It is a battery operated motion detector that you can set up at night to protect an area inside your apartment.
If anyone passes through that area, the alarm will sound.
Another great device to help you feel safe in your apartment is a door stop alarm, which you can place under your door at night.
If anyone tries to open the door, it will set off the alarm.
This is also a great item to have if you share an apartment with someone you aren't especially trusting of, and you want to be sure they don't come into your bedroom while you are asleep.
Then of course there is pepper spray, one of the best protectors for women.
Carry it with you, have it close at hand in your apartment, and have one on the visor of your car.
Quick to access, quick to use, quickly bring an assailant to his knees.
Every woman should have these tools - if not all of them, at least one.
And yet how many do? They aren't readily available in most towns but they can be found abundantly on the internet.
Single women should not have to live in fear just because they want to live alone.
Do some research and find the best tool or tools for you to feel safe in your apartment.
Don't take the risk of not being prepared.
Attacks happen quickly, home intrusions happen daily, and one personal invasion of your home or yourself is enough to scar you for life, emotionally as well as physically.
Don't procrastinate.
Be safe.