How to Be Safe When Living on the Streets

Homelessness is an unfortunate, although sometimes uncontrollable, circumstance for many Americans. Although the exact number of individuals who do not have a home is difficult to estimate, PBS cited a 2008 report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development declaring that an estimated 671,888 people experienced homelessness in a given night in January 2007 (PBS). Other facts and figures estimate that one out of every 50 children (about 1.5 million) in America are homeless annually and that about 23 percent of the nation's homeless population are "chronically homeless."

Things You'll Need

• Instant hand-sanitizer

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Instructions

• 1

  Make a plan for being safe. Due to the large amount of free time and a lack of having a fixed residence, it's easy for individuals who are homeless to develop habits, whether or not they are healthy and productive. Making a plan can include a list of community resources, such as shelters, libraries, parks, recreational programs, employment or job training, or volunteer opportunities that can help to fill one's schedule in a safe, productive way.

• 2

  Avoid individuals on the streets who are involved with drug and substance abuse. Addictive relationships often take on a codependent nature where addicts will use, steal or hurt others in order to further their own addiction. Identifying safe, drug-free places to go during the day and an isolated campground or sleeping area during the night will help reduce chances of running into trouble with individuals who are experiencing substance abuse.

• 3

  Wash your hands frequently. Individuals who lack a permanent residence can be more likely to encounter germs and bacteria from unclean public areas. Since individuals who are homeless do not have regular access to sanitation and waste disposal facilities, it is important to take advantage of whatever opportunities arise to access handwashing and other sanitation needs. If possible, keep instant hand-sanitizer on hand or use sanitary wipes to keep your hands clean.

• 4

  Develop a good reputation with the local police, business owners and other professionals in your locality. Regardless of how common it may be, police brutality does happen, and developing a good relationship with police and cooperating with them on a consistent basis will help to reduce and eliminate negative encounters with law enforcement.

• 5

  Watch the weather by viewing weather websites at libraries or looking at forecasts on local newspapers. Stay out of the rain and snow by finding adequate shelter either through your own means or at a public facility such as a library or a homeless shelter. Hypothermia can happen even during the summer months, and homeless individuals freeze every winter across the nation. Some shelters only open overflow facilities when temperatures drop below freezing. Be one of the first people in line for local shelters on a regular basis and develop a good rapport with the staff at the shelters by following all rules and offering to volunteer in any way that you can.