I’m a 21-year-old woman, and my grandma (73) is going south for the winter, leaving me to look after her house for five months. She’s super trusting, maybe too trusting. Recently, she mentioned to one of her neighbors, a man she barely knows, that I’ll be staying there alone.
This neighbor is around 55, married, and lives two houses down. My grandma said he could help with snow shoveling, but I feel uneasy about her sharing this info with him. I’m also worried she might have shared door codes or passwords, though I’m not sure. I met him briefly, and something about the interaction just felt off—can’t explain why.
Am I being too paranoid, or is this a valid concern? What precautions should I take to feel safer while staying there?
Make sure all the windows are locked, and look into adding doorstop alarms or motion-detecting lights for extra security. You could also swap out regular outside lights for motion-activated ones. Keep your phone charged and nearby when you sleep.
You can get a motion sensor kit online for cheap. Set it up around the house to alert you if someone’s moving around outside, especially at night. It’s portable and easy to install. This could give you some peace of mind.
Your concern is valid. Change the locks or at least reset the codes. If your grandma gave him any information, ask him directly what she shared—just to be safe. You can also set up some timers for lights to make it look like someone is always home.
Maybe set up a cheap WiFi camera or get her a video doorbell as a gift. And casually mention to the neighbor that your boyfriend will be visiting often—that could help ease your mind.
Does the guy actually seem suspicious, or are you just getting a bad vibe? It’s worth introducing yourself to other neighbors too—might help you feel more at ease.
Jerome said:
What specifically gave you the bad vibe? Sometimes our minds exaggerate fears, but it’s always good to trust your gut. Is the area generally safe?
It was just a short meeting, maybe five minutes. He barely spoke and just stared at me while my grandma was talking. When we left, he gave me this odd smirk. I don’t know why, but it made me uncomfortable. I’m not accusing him of anything, but I feel like I need to be cautious.
@Mario
Always trust your instincts. They exist to protect you. Take precautions like others here have suggested—it’s better to feel secure than to regret ignoring a warning.
@Mario
Could he have been uncomfortable himself? Maybe he feels awkward because your grandma asked him to keep an eye out and he doesn’t know how to act around you.
Celeste said: @Mario
Could he have been uncomfortable himself? Maybe he feels awkward because your grandma asked him to keep an eye out and he doesn’t know how to act around you.
That’s possible. Maybe he feels like he’s stuck in an awkward spot trying to help your grandma while not knowing you at all.
Replace the screws in the locks with longer ones to make the doors harder to force open. It’s cheap and quick. Portable door alarms are also a good option. If you’re comfortable, think about getting a personal safety device too.
Go old school—add dowels to the windows so they can’t be opened from the outside. Put chairs in front of doors before bed, and maybe hang something noisy like bells to alert you if a door moves.
Why not get to know the guy a little before making judgments? He might just be awkward or socially different. Your grandma seems to trust him enough to ask for help.
Isabella said:
Why not get to know the guy a little before making judgments? He might just be awkward or socially different. Your grandma seems to trust him enough to ask for help.
I hear you, but he barely talked when we met, and his body language felt off. I’m not saying he’s bad, but I just want to be careful.