10 Safety Life Hacks That Can Help You Every Day

When we’re at home, going shopping, or leaving for a vacation we all want to feel safe. Even if you are sure that the area you live in is the most secure, there is always a chance of an unexpected crime. Luckily house robberies and pickpocketing can be prevented if you know how to stay alert and use some simple tricks.

1. Secure your purse while grocery shopping.

“When using a shopping cart, as you browse through the store, keep your purse zipped or closed and secure it to the cart by clipping the child safety belt through the strap(s),” the Windham Police Department wrote on Facebook. “This will help in preventing someone from taking advantage of your distraction and running off with the purse.”

This is more simple than it seems: you can even improvise and use a cheap carabiner clip to secure your bag, if the cart doesn’t have a belt.

2. Use unexpected objects to hide your money in while traveling.

While traveling, in case you get robbed or leave your wallet somewhere, you should always carry some extra cash with you. The best way to hide it is inside a small inconspicuous object. An old deodorant tube is a great example!

3. Carry a fake wallet.

When going out, always take a second wallet with you that’s fake. Put a little money, notes, and papers in there and keep it on you. Use it as a decoy for thieves. If someone pickpockets you, it won’t be such a problem. Your real wallet should stay in your inner pocket though.

4. Wear a crossbody to avoid purse snatching.

Loose bags, shoulder bags, and people who don’t hold their purses the whole time become easy targets for thieves who yank them from the victim’s shoulder or lap. This can be avoided by wearing a crossbody, since it’s harder to pull off. Don’t forget to keep a hand on your bag at all times and wear it in front of you.

5. Know your card cancellation numbers.

It’s very important that your card’s emergency numbers are separated from your cards. If you lose your card or it gets stolen, it won’t be a problem. You just simply call the Lost/Stolen card number and cancel the card before it can be used or before money can be withdrawn.

6. Don’t keep your spare keys in the mailbox.

Instead of using such an obvious place to hide your spare house keys, you can bury them in your backyard. This is simple and effective, you will need an empty medicine bottle and a stone for the top of it. Glue the stone on the bottle’s cap, put your keys inside and push the bottle all the way down in the ground, so that only the rock shows. Don’t forget where you buried it and what the rock looks like!

7. Always keep your yard neat, especially if you go on a trip.

An unkempt yard with overgrown shrubs and thick grass might be a sign to thieves that the owner hasn’t been home for some time. That’s why it’s important to keep the landscape as neat as possible all the time. If you go on a trip, you can hire someone to cut your grass and make your yard look nice.

8. Put package boxes away immediately.

Leaving used package boxes from your new TV or laptop can also signal to criminals which valuable items you have in your house. The best way to stay secure is to break down the boxes and throw them away immediately.

9. Display a “Beware of Dog” sign.

Put a “Beware of Dog” sign on your fence or in your front window, even if you don’t have a dog. This simple warning will make strangers think twice before entering your property and scare burglars as well.

10. Put away ladders, hammers, and other tools.

Many people leave their tools and ladders outside because they think they are safe. But this is a bad habit, because it puts their home security in danger. Hammers, chainsaws, screwdrivers, and axes give people different ideas and they are not always “friendly.” That’s why after working in the garden or fixing something, you should make sure you put everything out of sight and lock it.