It’s only natural to be scared of walking home at night – especially if you’re a woman, person of color, or an LGBT individual. There are tons of horror stories out there about horrible things happening to people who were walking alone at night.
But, sometimes, you just find yourself in that situation. It’s important not to panic and think clear instead. To help you with that, we’ll provide you with some useful tips.
1. Use a Secure App
There are actually a lot of secure apps designed to keep people safe while walking home at night. We tested the top ones and – so far – we like Noonlight the most. Using a safety app on your phone like Noonlight will help you stay out of trouble until you get home.
Here are the highlights:
- Noonlight has a big panic button on its home screen. When you press and hold it, a dispatcher will contact you over text or phone to see if you need help. If you’re in danger, they’ll alert the authorities and share your location data.
- Noonlight supports the creation of a timeline of events (like you going on a date with someone at night; you can even include their full name). If you hit the panic button later, that information will be shared with the authorities.
- The app lets you add medical information, which can be crucial in medical emergencies.
- Noonlight has a Safety Network feature that lets you add key contacts to the app (friends and family). They can check up on you, and if you don’t respond, the app will pinpoint your location and send aid if necessary.
- Noonlight integrates with lots of apps and devices – Tinder, Alexa, Apple Watch, Uber, Lyft, Google Home, and more.
- Finally, Noonlight is very easy to use. Unfortunately, the iOS version is better than the Android version at the moment because it has more features.
WalkSafe is another cool app. It uses monthly crime figures to show you which areas you should avoid – the crime hotspots, to be exact. It’s very convenient to use because it displays the areas on a map. WalkSafe will even alert you when you’re near an unsafe area, so that you don’t have to constantly have your phone out.
2. Get an Uber (Or a Similar Service)
If you can afford it, it’s just safer to use an app like Uber or Lyft to call a car to take you home. If it’s a big expense, set some money aside each month for emergency taxi services. This is still one of the best ways to be safe while walking home at night (since you don’t actually walk home).
Just make sure you check the driver’s reviews. If you see any red flags, cancel the rid (and tell the app why you don’t feel safe when it asks for feedback or a reason).
Unfortunately, fake Uber drivers exist. So, it’s important to make sure you’re getting into the right car. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Just because the driver has an Uber or Lyft decal on their car doesn’t mean they actually work for those companies.
- Make sure the car’s license plate is the same as the one you see in the app.
- Check that the driver looks the same as the driver photo in the app.
- Ask the driver who they’re supposed to be picking up (don’t tell them your name).
- Always ride in the back, not the front. In case of an emergency, it’s easier to escape. This isn’t exactly a tip on how to spot a fake driver, but it’s still worth mentioning it.
3. Pick a Location You’re Familiar with
It’s best to avoid locations you’ve never been through before. If you want to explore them, do it when it’s daylight. During nighttime, you might get lost. What’s more, you might accidentally wander through unsafe areas and attract unwanted attention to yourself (it’ll be obvious you’re new there).
4. Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Always be aware of what’s around and in front of you. Don’t keep looking at your phone because it can distract you from shady people you might otherwise spot from a mile away.
What’s more, we don’t recommend wearing headphones while walking home at night. They actually make you a target because it makes people think you’re distracted. And that’s pretty true – listening to music will relax you too much, and you won’t be aware of everything that’s going on around you.
5. Avoid Deserted Streets
Even if it’s a shortcut home, it’s best to avoid a deserted street and stick to well-lit places that are crowded. Criminals are less likely to approach you that way because there are too many witnesses and if they were to approach you, someone might step in or call the police.
6. Wear Shoes You Can Run in
If worse comes to worst and you need to run, it’s better to be wearing shoes that are adequate for running – like sneakers, for example.
If you plan on wearing high heels, carry a backpack with you and put backup running shoes in it (or in your purse if they fit). Then, when you have to head home, change into your running shoes. It’s inconvenient, sure, but it’s still safer than having to run in high heels.
How Do You Stay Safe While Walking Home at Night?
Which tip do you use to feel safe? Or do you use other methods we didn’t mention in this article? If you do, please tell us about them in the comments. And if you use specific apps to stay safe, don’t forget to mention and link them.
