A social media thread titled “40 Safety Tips That Are Genius Ways For Women Living Alone To Protect Themselves” has drawn attention for its blunt, practical advice — and for the stark picture of fear it paints. The tips come from women who live alone, and they cover everything from changing locks to keeping wasp spray handy.
The thread opened with a grim statistic. According to the United Nations, about 90 percent of all homicides worldwide are committed by male perpetrators. An estimated 137 women and girls die at the hands of an intimate partner or family member every day. The UN Women site adds that less than 40 percent of women who experience violence seek help, and most turn to family and friends rather than police or health services.
Changing Locks First
The top tip is simple: change all the locks on your house. “It’s a simple, sure way to know you are the only one with a key!” one commenter wrote, pointing to YouTube videos for guidance.
Another commenter shared a story about a cardboard cutout of a NASCAR driver that sat unused in her former workplace. She asked if she could have it, then placed it by her front window so a shadow of a person was always visible — moving it daily so it was not obvious her housemate was cardboard.
Neighbors and Cameras
Get to know your neighbors, several commenters advised. They are the most likely to call the police if they hear a disturbance and cannot reach you.
Cameras are also popular. One commenter noted that a camera system covering the front door, driveway and back door — positioned to see faces and license plates — was triggered accidentally, and police arrived in three minutes.
Wasp Spray As Mace
One woman suggested buying wasp spray. It doubles as a mace substitute because you can spray it in someone’s face from ten feet away.
Fat Shaming As Strategy
Not every tip was practical. One commenter, a single woman who lives alone about half the time, said she feels safe because she is fat — “most likely no one would bother to try to kidnap me. 😁 They’d throw out their back and be incapacitated if they tried to pick me up.”
She also carries an obnoxiously loud personal alarm in her purse, closes her curtains at night and locks her doors. Her son spends time with his father, and she lives in a condo complex in a very safe area.
Keys Under The Mat
Several commenters warned against hiding keys under doormats. One woman whose mother refuses to remove her outdoor key said it is not under the mat but easy to find — “you’d have to be pretty stupid not to find it.” Her neighbors watch over her, but the key still worries her daughter.
The Limits Of Self-Defense
Streetwise Defence explains that violence is messy, frenzied and up-close — there are no rules. Martial arts or self-defense classes are useful, but understanding how violence escalates and how to respond physically is equally important.
What The Thread Shows
The tips range from sensible to far-fetched. Some involve cameras and alarms that actually work; others, like the fat-shaming defense, are jokes dressed as advice.
The thread’s premise is unsettling: women are expected to treat their homes like fortresses against people they know, strangers, and even nature itself. The underlying message is grim. Violence is widespread and under-reported, and women who seek help rarely turn to formal institutions.
Key Facts Box
- About 90 percent of all homicides worldwide are committed by male perpetrators
- An estimated 137 women and girls die at the hands of an intimate partner or family member every day
- Less than 40 percent of women who experience violence seek help
- Police arrived in three minutes after an accidental camera trigger
The tips are creative, sometimes funny, and often deeply sad. But the fact remains: women are not safe.