Living Alone? Here's How to Stay Safe

More people live alone than ever before. In many countries, single-person households are the fastest-growing demographic. Independence is wonderful—but it comes with a reality most people don't like to think about: what happens if something goes wrong and nobody knows?

This guide is for two groups of people: those who live alone and want practical safety measures, and those who worry about a loved one living independently (often adult children concerned about aging parents).

The goal isn't to create anxiety. It's to build systems that let everyone—both the person living alone and their loved ones—relax.

Why Solo Living Safety Matters

When you live with others, someone notices if you don't come out of your room. If you fall, there's someone to call for help. If you don't show up to dinner, questions get asked.

Living alone removes these automatic check-ins. Most of the time, that's fine. But occasionally, it's not.

Common scenarios where a safety net matters:

Medical emergencies (falls, heart attacks, strokes)
Sudden illness that prevents reaching your phone
Accidents at home (slipping in the shower, etc.)
Mental health crises
Natural disasters

The statistics are sobering: falls are a leading cause of injury for older adults, and outcomes are dramatically worse when help is delayed.

But this isn't just about elderly people. Anyone living alone—students, remote workers, young professionals—benefits from having someone who would notice if something went wrong.

The Core Principle: Someone Should Notice

Every safety system boils down to one question: if you couldn't call for help, how long before someone would check on you?

For some people, the answer is "my coworker would notice I missed the meeting in the morning." For others, especially retirees or remote workers without regular schedules, the answer might be "days" or even "weeks."

Your goal is to reduce that window to something acceptable—ideally 24-48 hours.

Building Your Safety Network

A good safety net has multiple layers. No single system is perfect, so redundancy matters.

1. Identify Your Emergency Contacts

Start by choosing 2-3 people who:

Live nearby (or can contact someone who does)
Are reliable and check their messages regularly
Know your routine well enough to notice if something's off
Have a key to your home or know where one is hidden

These are your "guardians"—the people who will be notified if something seems wrong.

Have an honest conversation with each person:

"I live alone, and I want someone to know if something happens to me."
"If you don't hear from me for X days, please check in."
"Here's where the spare key is / here's my neighbor's number."

Most people are honored to be asked. It's a sign of trust.

2. Establish a Check-In Routine

The simplest safety system: regular communication with someone who will notice if it stops.

Daily check-in options:

A daily text or call with a family member
A morning message to a group chat
A daily check-in app like Still Here that automatically alerts your guardians if you miss your window

The key is consistency. Random check-ins are better than nothing, but scheduled ones are far more reliable.

If you're worried about being a burden, remember: a 5-second daily text is much less disruptive than a welfare check by police because no one heard from you for a week.

3. Give Someone Access

When something goes wrong, your guardians need to be able to help.

Physical access:

Spare key with a trusted neighbor, friend, or in a lockbox
Building management contact information shared with guardians
Know your local non-emergency police number for welfare checks

Digital access:

Emergency contact information on your phone's lock screen
Medical information accessible via medical ID
Consider a password manager with emergency access features

Medical information:

Keep a list of medications, allergies, and conditions somewhere visible (refrigerator door is traditional)
Medical ID bracelet if you have conditions first responders should know about
Share relevant medical history with guardians

4. Use Technology Wisely

Technology can automate parts of your safety net.

Simple options:

Daily check-in apps that alert contacts if you miss your window
Smart speakers with voice-activated emergency calling
Smartphone fall detection (newer iPhones and Apple Watches have this)
Location sharing with trusted family members

Medical alert systems:

Traditional "help, I've fallen" pendants still work well
Smartwatches with fall detection and emergency SOS
Home monitoring systems with motion sensors

What to avoid:

Overly complex systems you won't actually use
Expensive subscriptions for features you don't need
Systems that require technical maintenance you can't handle

The best system is one you'll actually use consistently.

5. Plan for Specific Scenarios

Think through the situations most likely to affect you.

Falls:

Keep pathways clear of tripping hazards
Install grab bars in the bathroom
Use non-slip mats
Keep your phone with you (or wear a smartwatch)
Consider motion-sensor lights for nighttime

Medical emergencies:

Know the signs of stroke and heart attack
Keep emergency numbers programmed and accessible
If you have chronic conditions, discuss emergency protocols with your doctor

Natural disasters:

Know your area's risks (earthquakes, hurricanes, etc.)
Keep emergency supplies accessible
Have a communication plan with your safety network

Power outages:

Backup phone charger always charged
Flashlight accessible
Know how to manually open your garage (if applicable)

6. Address Mental Health

Living alone can be isolating. Loneliness affects both mental and physical health.

Stay connected:

Regular social activities (even small ones)
Video calls with family and friends
Community involvement (classes, volunteering, religious organizations)
Pets, if possible—they provide both companionship and a reason to maintain routines

Know the warning signs:

Increasing isolation
Loss of interest in activities
Significant changes in sleep or appetite
Prolonged sadness or hopelessness

If you're struggling, reach out. Your safety network is there for mental health concerns too, not just physical emergencies.

For Adult Children: Supporting Aging Parents

If you're reading this because you're worried about an elderly parent living alone, here's specific advice.

Start the conversation early:

Don't wait for a crisis to discuss safety
Frame it as caring, not controlling
Offer concrete solutions, not vague concerns
Respect their autonomy while expressing your needs

What to suggest:

Daily check-in routine (call, text, or app)
Medical alert system if appropriate
Smart home devices they can actually use
Regular in-person visits when possible

What to avoid:

Monitoring that feels invasive or distrustful
Taking away independence unnecessarily
Making them feel like a burden
Overwhelming them with technology they can't manage

The goal is to extend independence, not restrict it.

Practical steps:

Know their doctors and medications
Have copies of important documents
Know their neighbors (introduce yourself)
Visit their home and check for safety hazards
Understand their financial situation in case you need to help

A Simple Starting Point

If this all feels overwhelming, start with one thing: set up a daily check-in.

This could be:

A daily "good morning" text to someone who will notice if it stops
A check-in app like Still Here that automates the whole process
A scheduled daily call with a family member

One reliable check-in dramatically reduces the "time to discovery" if something goes wrong.

Everything else—emergency contacts, spare keys, medical information—can come later. But the daily check-in is the foundation.

Key Takeaways

Someone should notice if something happens to you. Identify who that is.
Consistency beats complexity. A simple system you actually use is better than an elaborate one you don't.
Have honest conversations with your safety network about what you need from each other.
Technology helps but isn't magic. Choose tools you'll actually use.
Plan for your specific risks. Think through the scenarios most relevant to your life.
It's not about fear. It's about building systems that let you live independently with peace of mind.

Living alone is a valid, often wonderful choice. A good safety net doesn't undermine that independence—it protects it.

Building in Public

We're actively building, shipping, and experimenting. If you want to follow along, see what's coming next, or give feedback, you can find us here:

Website: https://www.storqlabs.com/
X (Twitter): https://x.com/StorqLabs

Living Alone Safely: How to Build Your Personal Emergency Network