In a viral TikTok video that's been viewed over 10 million times, user Mary Alice, known by her handle @heyitsmaryalice, has shared a compelling safety tip for women living alone.
Most people, when arriving home in the dark, would instinctively reach for the light switch the second they open the door, so they can see where they're going within their homes.
However, Mary Alice advises that women who live alone resist the urge to immediately turn on their lights when getting home - especially if the apartment windows are visible from the street.
Typically, the first thing people do when arriving home in darkness is flip the light switch, but Mary Alice wants women to think twice about that instinctual action.
"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," she advised her 99.5 thousand followers.
Mary Alice shared a chilling anecdote about a recent experience she had, where a suspicious man engaged her in conversation as she got out of her car, presumably in an attempt to find out where she lived.
"I'd never seen him before... and he just gave me bad vibes," she explained. "He tries to make conversation with me about my headlight because it's out and I'm just like 'yeah, yeah, I'll get round to it...'"
Convinced the man was lingering near her apartment, Mary Alice decided not to turn on her lights. "I had a feeling to check my Ring camera," she said, taking a long pause before adding, "He's standing in the street which is very close to my apartment building staring at [the] building. And he did not leave for like five minutes."
Her comments section was flooded with reactions from women thanking her for the potentially life-saving suggestion.
"Great advice but I'm scared of the dark," said one user, while another hailed Mary Alice as "smart" and thanked her for sharing the valuable tip. Another follower emphasized the importance of intuition, stating, "always trust your gut, I swear it's always right."
The viral video also opened the door for others to share their own safety suggestions. "Get timers for your lamps and radios. You can make it look like you don't live alone," recommended one user, while another proposed using smart home devices: "I turn mine on with Alexa before I get home."
In a follow-up video, Mary Alice assured her audience that she'd informed her family and landlord about the unsettling encounter.
She discovered the man was actually a resident in her building, although he's now in the process of moving out. She also confirmed that she is safe and her living space is secure.
In an era where women's safety remains a paramount issue, this TikTok video serves as an eye-opening reminder for women living alone to take extra precautions.
While the internet is full of life hacks and tips, Mary Alice's advice offers a proactive approach to personal safety that has clearly struck a chord with many on the app.
