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Essential Products for When You Live Alone Part 1

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at NMSU chapter.

Ladies, if you live alone, you understand that it can be a little scary and you might not know what to do about getting some extra security, especially in places that don’t let you make any major changes (ex: drilling holes into a wall for a new door lock). Here are some products that can keep you a little more safe and are just more convenient when you don’t have extra hands around to help you. 

 

Product 1: A Portable Door Lock

 

This is a product that is great for when you want some more reinforcement on your door. It goes on the hole in your door jam. The red part holds everything in place. Don’t be fooled by its size. This thing is strong. There is no need to screw any holes into your wall and lose your security deposit either. It’s perfect if your door lock breaks and the landlord is taking forever to get it fixed. This device is also portable, so it’s great for any shady hotels or AirBnBs. 

 

Here it is on Amazon: Portable Door Lock

 

Product 2: A Door Security Bar

 

Here’s another way to protect yourself from unwanted intruders. This bar goes below your doorknob to the floor or between your sliding door and the wall. It’s great for broken locks and prevents your door from being broken down. It’s easy to adjust and remove when needed. It is super strong and uses the power of physics to hold your door in place. It’s also portable, however it does not fit in your purse like the previous product. 

 

Amazon Link: Commercial Door Security Bar

 

Product 3: A Basic Tool Kit

 

Things break, and when you live alone in an apartment, you don’t want that coming out of your security deposit. It;s good to have a basic tool kit for basic repairs. You can now screw back a wonky cabinet, hammer that nail back into place, and tighten up that leaky faucet all without having to call your landlord. This can also make assembling Ikea furniture so much easier and faster. If you can fix it yourself without getting hurt, then do it. It’ll save you time and your wallet. No more having a stranger come into your place to fix something small. You’ve got this!

 

Amazon Link: Home Tool Kit

 

Product 4: A First Aid Kit with the Works

 

An unfortunate aspect about living alone, is that there aren’t people around to help if you get hurt. Get yourself the best first aid kit that you can afford. While we might not want to think that we’ll get seriously injured in the near future, it is completely within the realm of possibility. Invest in something that can care for a serious injury until you get proper medical help. 

 

Amazon Link: 299 Piece All-Purpose First Aid Kit

 

Product 5: A Heavy Duty Flashlight and Extra Batteries

 

It’s pretty standard knowledge that everyone needs a flashlight for emergencies. 

If the power goes out, you need to see and you’ll want to save your phone battery in case you need to call authorities or anyone else along the line. Get one that is tough and durable. It would also be smart to get more than one for different areas of the house. Be sure to have extra batteries on hand in case your flashlight goes out and you can’t go out to get more. Have enough extras for as many flashlights as you decide to keep at your place. Also, have both the flashlights and batteries in places that are easy to reach, where you won’t lose them and where you remember their location. You don’t want to be fumbling around in the dark for your flashlight and get hurt when you can’t see. 

 

Amazon Link: Tactical Flashlight, Set of Two, 16 Count AAA Batteries

 

We hope that this list is able to help you all feel safer if you are living on your own. Just go the extra mile and buy these because you won’t think that you need them, until you need them. Good luck out there and stay safe. 

 

Raised in El Paso, TX, an avid feminist that loves her dog and the written word.
An Art History major with a minor in Museum Conservation. Interested in Photography, Art History, Art Law and travel.