Living alone can be empowering, but it also comes with its share of safety concerns. For women especially, it’s important to stay aware of potential risks. Recently, TikToker Mary Alice (@heyitsmaryalice) took to the platform to share some vital advice for women living by themselves: don’t turn on the lights immediately when you come home at night. Her warning has since gone viral, and for good reason—it could make all the difference in personal safety.
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Let’s dive into why this simple yet effective tip is crucial for women who live alone, and what other precautions can help increase safety at home.
Why Keeping the Lights Off Matters
When you get home after dark, the first instinct is often to flip the light switch as soon as you walk in the door. However, Mary Alice explains that this habit could unintentionally compromise your safety. She advises women living alone to hold off on turning the lights on right away, especially if their windows are visible from the street.
Why? Because if someone has been following you, turning on your lights will instantly reveal which apartment you live in. This small detail could give an unwanted observer critical information about where you reside.
As Mary Alice put it, “When you go home at night, don’t turn your lights on immediately when you get inside your apartment, especially if people can see the windows of your apartment from the street. Because if someone’s following you home, they’re going to know what apartment you live in.”
@heyitsmaryalice im so tired of feeling like prey !! my lights are only on in my bathroom now becauase its the only room i have with no windows #creepy #creepystory #womensafety #womensafetytips #storytime #scarystory #stalker #menarescary #apartmentsafety ♬ original sound – MaryAlice
A Personal Experience with a Frightening Encounter
Mary Alice shared a chilling personal experience to emphasize the importance of this tip. One night, after she parked her car, a strange man approached her, attempting to make small talk about her car’s broken headlight. Although she had never seen him before, his behavior gave her bad vibes. Sensing something was off, she hurried inside her apartment and, trusting her instincts, chose not to turn on the lights. Instead, she checked her Ring camera.
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What she saw on the footage confirmed her suspicions. The man stood outside, watching her building, waiting. At one point, he even hid behind a car, clearly trying to figure out which apartment she lived in. Thanks to her quick thinking, the man never saw which apartment lights turned on, and Mary Alice avoided a potentially dangerous situation.
The Importance of Trusting Your Instincts
Mary Alice’s story serves as a powerful reminder to trust your gut. She felt something was wrong, and by acting on that feeling, she protected herself from a potentially harmful situation. This isn’t just about turning off the lights—it’s about being aware of your surroundings and listening to your intuition.
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As one commenter on her video put it: “Always trust your gut, I swear it’s always right.” For many women, this is an unfortunate but important truth. Trusting your instincts can save you from dangerous situations before they escalate.
Practical Tips for Women Living Alone
Aside from turning off the lights, there are several other ways to increase personal safety when living alone. Many of the tips that surfaced in response to Mary Alice’s video offer simple, practical solutions to make sure you stay safe in your home.
- Set Timers for Lights and Devices: One clever suggestion came from a fellow TikTok user who advised setting timers for your lamps and radios. This can give the impression that someone is home, even when you’re not. A well-lit home with sound playing can be a deterrent for anyone with ill intentions.
- Use Alexa or Other Smart Home Devices: If you’re able to, you can also program smart home devices like Alexa to turn on lights before you arrive home. This avoids the need to flip switches immediately upon entering while still ensuring you have a well-lit space to return to.
- Install a Security Camera: Having a camera like a Ring doorbell or any other form of security camera can provide an extra layer of protection. Not only can you monitor suspicious activity, but you can also record evidence if someone attempts to follow or harass you.
- Avoid Sharing Your Daily Routine: One important point to keep in mind is to avoid oversharing your daily routine online or with strangers. It’s easy to leave clues about when you’re home and when you’re out, but being cautious about what you reveal can keep you safer in the long run.
What Happened Next: A Follow-Up on the Situation
After sharing her initial story, Mary Alice posted a follow-up video to update her followers on what happened after the incident. She informed her family and landlord about the man who had been lurking outside her apartment, and to her shock, discovered that he lived in the same building. Fortunately, the man is now moving out, and Mary Alice reassured her followers that her apartment is secure and that she is fine.
This turn of events further underscores the importance of staying vigilant, even in what might seem like familiar or safe surroundings.
Reactions to Mary Alice’s Viral Advice
Mary Alice’s TikTok has garnered over 10 million views and counting. Her video resonated with thousands of women, many of whom shared their own safety tips and stories in the comments.
@heyitsmaryalice Replying to @dennise.pr scary vibes but im okay 🥲 so far ! #womenssafety #safety #storytime #stalker #stalkerstory #scarystory #creepytok #creepystories #allmen #menarescary ♬ original sound – MaryAlice
One TikTok user wrote, “Great advice but I’m scared of the dark,” highlighting the tension between safety and comfort. Others expressed gratitude for the suggestion, praising Mary Alice as “smart” for sharing her experience and helping other women stay safe.
In today’s world, safety for women living alone is a serious concern, and Mary Alice’s advice has opened up an important dialogue about practical precautions that can make a real difference.
Conclusion
In a world where personal safety should never be taken lightly, Mary Alice’s simple advice to not turn the lights on immediately when coming home at night offers an important reminder to remain cautious and aware. Her story is a powerful example of how small decisions can have a big impact on personal safety, especially for women living alone.
Whether it’s trusting your gut, using smart home devices, or simply being aware of who might be watching, these precautions help empower individuals to take control of their safety in an uncertain world. Stay alert, stay safe, and always prioritize your well-being—sometimes, the smallest changes can make the biggest difference.
