'I use a Kevin McCallister style security system': Women living alone spill 27 secrets on how to live solo and still feel safe

Author image for Jesse Kessenheimer
Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Mar 5, 2024 11:00 AM EST

Living alone can be scary. As a woman, this fear doubles down. As many of us have felt, when we're walking alone at night or flicking on the lights of an empty house, there's that heebie-jeebie, 'I'm being watched' feeling that's tough to shake. However, when you're a grown woman living alone, there's no margin for letting that fear blossom into full-blown paranoia. We ladies gotta tackle our fears head-on and take action to stand against our worries. 

Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to make your solo living excursion a safe one. There's no reason for single-living females to be afraid of the dark, so below we've compiled a list of tricks and tips from real-world ladies who have conquered their personal boogieman by having a few key features in their home. 

Call up Kevin McCallister because some of these boobytraps are certified genius material. Scroll onward to enjoy this collection of hard-won hacks from solo females who live alone.

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  • 01
    Weapon: baseball bat Enchantment: sock Effect: prevents disarmament, provides at least one extra hit per roll
    via canva
  • 02
    Posted by u/cheesesovereign Women who live alone, what do you keep in your home to feel safe?
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    Yeah CanIGetUuuuuuhhh 2 days ago I have a lot of strategically placed 3 wick jar candles. I don't actually burn them, they're there for pleasant scent and the fact that they can crack a skull. I had an incident many years ago, and as soon as you start lobbing those things your targets gonna run. 1.8k Reply Share Waste_Coat_4506 2 days ago them up with Bath & Body Works Peach Bellinis
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    ImMiranda Kerr . 2 days ago A Molotov candle 4266 Reply Share BabySuperfreak 2 days ago They're basically nicely scented bricks.
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    ThtPhatCat 2 days ago Bloodbath and beyond ↑ 167 ↓ Reply Share Waste_Coat_4506 2 days ago great job
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    Dachshund Nursery - 2 days ago I use a Kevin McCallister- style security system of leaving in front of my doors so anyone breaking in will knock over and I'll hear it.
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    just_lurkingg2. 2 days ago I'm laughing because I used to do this - my building had my door exposed to the general public (unlike other units where a code was needed to access the building). I used to put glass cups, pots and pans, etc. Kept pepper spray and a knife in the nightstand. Probably overkill
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    9mmway 2 days ago Not overkill, just great logic One person's paranoia is another one's caution (I get called paranoid some)
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    mofomeat 2 days ago Not trying to wreck the fun here, but what is your plan once you hear a bunch of stuff being knocked over? 106 Reply Share ... tylerbrainerd. 2 days ago Use the remote to play back intimidating dialogue on the tv. Duh.
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    Maggie Mews 2 days ago One night I had a nightmare so vivid of someone entering my apartment via my 2nd floor balcony that I found myself standing outside my bedroom door, disoriented and ready to fight. I had never felt unsafe in my apartment, but that dream really shook me and made me think I needed to be better prepared.
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    I couldn't afford a security system, but, I had a bunch of tiny bells left over from a craft project. I tied them at intervals along a long piece of string and hung it on the balcony door in a way that, if the door opened it would make quite a bit of noise. Old school security alarm.
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    comeupforairyouwhore 2 days ago You can put a wooden rod in the track if the door is a sliding glass door. 1.4k Reply Share walkinginthewood. 2 days ago Please do this. This is the only thing that saved me from this exact scenario happening. There were men on my 2nd floor apartment balcony porch trying to get in.
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    alchemist52 days ago I couldn't afford a security system You can buy just the stickers for the security system and put em at eye level in any window that could be used for entry. They're one of the best deterrents, along with dogs and good outside lighting.
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    heteroerotic 2 days ago I used to keep a baseball bat with a sock on the end near my bed when I lived alone. It's to give you a second chance to swing if someone grabs the bat on your first swing ... they'll be staring a rando sock in their hand when you nail him in the or face. Thankfully, I never had to use it!
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    Kent Knifen 2 days ago Weapon: baseball bat Enchantment: sock Effect: prevents disarmament, provides at least one extra hit per roll
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    Throwawaychica · 2 days ago My dog for tangible threats, and my cats for spiritual threats. 45.7K Reply Share Aeronaut_condor 2 days ago We use to have a great guard dog. He was a 100lb police bred German shepherd. He would bark his off if someone came to the door. He'd scare anyone off.
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    Halospite 2 days ago Dogs have the reputation for being protective but I've heard my fair share of stories of cats flying at the face of an intruder.
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    groovy_grape 2 days ago I've lived alone in a downtown city and out of the city. What made me feel safe in the city was living in an apartment with a door that was inside a building rather than outside. Essentially, you had to have a key or pass code in order to get in, then keys to get in my apartment. However, I lived on the first floor, so I bought a door blocker and
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  • 19
    would put it behind my door as soon as I got home. I also have a baseball bat near my bed. I would sadly also have my blinds closed. Now, in my current place, I made sure I lived on the top floor and was a two door building. I still have a baseball bat, but I feel safer than when I lived downtown.
    via groovy_grape
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    Waste_Coat_4506 - 2 days ago I usually remember to lock the doors but that's about it. 3.0k Reply Share n-plasx 2 days ago Depending on where you live, there are a lot of places that are very safe. But having a backup plan is always good
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    PERSEPHONEpursephone 2 days ago I no longer live alone, but when I did I was VERY intentional about who knew where I lived and who I brought over. Current and ex partners are far more likely to be dangerous than random strangers.
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  • 22
    Other than that, keeping doors and windows locked and alarmed doors when needed and maintained a mantra that I've done all I could and stressing beyond that was no more helpful than being at peace. Living in fear is a prison.
    via PERSEPHONEpursephone
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    didyoubutterthepan - 2 days ago I no longer live alone, but when my husband is out of town, I feel safe knowing that I know all of my neighbors well enough to run to their house at any hour and they'd let me in. I also have two fierce guard dogs that bark anytime anyone gets near our house/me.
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    Cheezburger Image 9890111744
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    Piy didyoubutterthepan 2 days ago FIERCE cuties 4 2 Reply Share Skatingfan 2 days ago Sometimes little dogs can be the fiercest!
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    Educational-Panda485 2 days ago My gat and my cat 1.4k Reply Share Joel Hirschorrn 2 days ago Close the thread, we have a winner
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  • 27
    Ready_Engineering104. 2 days ago When I lived alone in an apartment, I bought Men's shoes from Goodwill & left them outside by the doormat so ppl didn't think I lived alone. That & my 22 made me feel safe.
    via Ready_Engineering104

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females single woman empowered empowerment Female Empowerment solo relatable interesting womens memes living alone womens female ladies women lady
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