A woman has gone viral on TikTok after sharing a warning to anyone who lives alone.
After a chilling encounter, user Mary Alice (@heyitsmaryalice) took to TikTok to speak about her experience, and warned anyone living not to turn their lights on straight away when they arrived back.
She explained that she suspected someone outside her block of flats was waiting on the street after she got home to see which lights came on, and then deduce which flat she lived in. Her warning has now gone viral, receiving more than 20 million views and nearly four million likes.
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In the video, she said: "When you go home at night, don't turn your lights on immediately after you get in your apartment. Especially if people can see the windows of your apartment from the street, because if someone's following you home they're going to know what apartment you live in.
"When I got home tonight, I got out of my car, and there was a man getting stuff out of his car. I had never seen him before this morning, when he was in my apartment complex area, and he just gave me bad vibes, but whatever.
"I get out my car tonight, and he tries to make conversation with me about my headlight, because it's out right now, and I'm like 'oh yeah I know I just have to get around to it' or whatever. I get inside, don't turn my lights on, but I have a feeling to check my ring camera.
"He's standing in the street, which is very close to my apartment building, staring at my building, and he did not leave for like five minutes. I mean halfway through he left the empty parking spot and hid behind a car, but he waited to see.
"And so now he knows what car I drive and where I live, just not my apartment. So, don't turn your lights on."
Many people were glad to hear the advice. One person said: "OMG thank you so much! I just moved to a new flat and I wasn't aware of this" and another said: "This is an amazing tip. I'm happy you're safe. But I hate that we even have to do this."
Other people had more advice to share. One person said: "Take different routes home everyday, and place a pair of used men’s shoes at your door." and another said: "Get smart bulbs and turn your lights on before you get home".
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