Living in a big city comes with both blessings and curses. On the one hand, cities are the living heartbeat of pop culture, fashion, and sophisticated lifestyles by providing better job opportunities, better transport, and a wide array of entertainment options, among other things. But on the flip side, they also come with a lot of dangers to your personal safety, thanks to unsavory characters and criminal circumstances.
In many densely populated cities like New York, Tokyo, Beijing, and New Delhi, crime has gone through the roof, starting from petty theft and burglaries to murder and mayhem. As such, city dwellers need to be more cautious and prepared than ever not to fall victim to crime.
If you live in a big city yourself, below are a few essential personal safety tips you should follow.
4 essential personal safety tips if you live in a big city
Install a security system
Whether you live in a large apartment complex or at your own house, you should install a good security system to warn and prevent danger in time.
Home security systems usually consist of different components such as CCTVs, noise detectors, pressure detectors for doors, and more. To set up a proper home security system can be expensive, but it’s well worth it.
Usually, the best time to install a security system is when you see signs that your house is marked. Some classic telltale signs can suggest your house is being targeted for burglary. This includes unfamiliar faces and vehicles hanging around your flat or home at odd hours, odd marks on your doorway or porch, and more.
If you don’t want to or can’t afford a high-end home security system, getting a dog is one of the oldest and best ways to keep your home secure. Not only will it bring you joy and companionship, but it will also make would-be burglars flee like madmen. Knowing your neighbors and keeping and touch with them also creates a communal safety net that benefits everyone in the neighborhood.
Avoid walking alone at night
One of the easiest and most common ways to get mugged or worse in big cities is walking in dark and secluded areas, especially during the evening and nighttime. Unfortunately, the infrastructure in big city neighborhoods with a high crime rate often isn’t functional. Therefore, when traversing such areas, you need to be extra careful about personal your safety.
If you have to walk alone in dangerous and dark areas, the least you should do is carry a self-defense weapon like a licensed handgun or pepper spray. Make sure to be extra alert when walking through such areas and be wary of signs of being followed. If you feel like you’re actually being followed, it’s best to avoid confrontation by quickly moving to a crowded area or pretending to know a stranger.
Keep your belongings close to you
When moving around in a big city, it’s best to keep your possessions as securely as possible on your person. If you carry portable objects like a laptop, box, or something else, never leave them unattended. Buy hip pouches, fanny packs, and strapped bags, all of which cannot be suddenly snatched away by anyone.
In case you have a pet, use a collar with a metal or plastic buckle with your name and contact info written on it. You can also place GPS trackers on larger objects which you can track via your phone if they get stolen.
Always have a plan in case of an emergency
No matter how many precautions you take, there’s always a chance you can fall victim to a crime or have something of value stolen from your home. So it’s always a good idea to have a backup plan of what to do in case such things happen.
When a crime happens, every second counts in recovering what’s stolen or apprehending the victim, and planning ahead can do wonders. Common courses of action include:
- Calling the police to notify them of a crime or emergency that’s taken place
- Calling your insurance company in case of the need to replace stolen items or report an injury and file a claim
- Calling your lawyer if you were a victim of a crime and need legal consultation and assistance
- Having emergency contacts on your phone in case something happens to you and you’re incapacitated
- Having safety equipment like fire extinguishers easily accessible in your house. You should also have a basic medical kit at home to take care of injuries.
Live your best life
Living in a big city comes with both its pros and cons. But there’s no denying that there’s always something interesting happening in them, which is why millions choose to live in them in the first place. As long as you take proper personal safety measures, you can make the best out of living in a big city.
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