How to feel safer at home

I feel like I’m reading more and more media reports about attempted home break ins, car thefts and the decreasing age of offenders.   And it all makes me feel a bit uneasy.  Added to that, is the lack of emotional security with the economy, political kerfuffle’s and social media telling me to worry about everything.  Yuk!  So, a feeling of emotional and physical security at home is a topic I’m thinking a bit about.

I do however want to acknowledge that I do not experience domestic violence in my home, and that puts me in a relatively fortunate position from which to be considering my sense of safety at home.

Here are 3 quick tips for improving your sense of psychological, physical and emotional safety

1.      Psychological safety

According to the Prospect and Refuge theory, it’s important for our sense of safety, to find a way to be able to view your world (prospect) in a way that ensures your world can’t view you (refuge).  Examples of this include,

• Using sheer curtains, shutters, venetians or similar, to be able to view your outside world, without being viewed right back.    

• Position your bed where you can see bedroom door and the window while you sleep.

• Use high backed chairs to provide a feeling of psychological safety, as it allows us to observe our environment while feeling protected.

2.      Physical safety

Look at Neighbourhood Watch Victoria or your state, or country and consider doing their (eye opening) How Safe Is My Place? | Prevent your home being broken into quiz.

It will ask you to investigate your doors, windows, fences, dogs, cameras, lighting, cars and sheds.  I completely underestimated the actions I can take to minimise my risk and feel empowered to take some simple steps now.  

3. Emotional safety 

If your life outside your home feels stressful and unsafe, maybe it’s because you have some hassles at your workplace, or the train you catch makes you feel vulnerable. Then some of these tricks at home might help sooth you. Try;

• Curved shapes, as they are perceived as less threatening, and studies show that people linger longer in rooms with more curved shapes.  This could be rugs, sofas, art, cushions and even things like taps and handles.

• Be careful and deliberate about using lots of red in your décor.  Depending on your culture and your personal experiences, the colour red can symbolise negative elements like danger, aggression or anger. Think about stop signs, poisonous berries, fire, financial loss or blood loss.  It can also symbolise many positive elements (like love!), and so it pays to think about your associations before using lots of red.

Small steps in each of these areas will help you feel safer and more comfortable at home.