If you want to give your kitty companion the best shot at a long comfortable life, keep them indoors, it's as simple as that.
Leads exist, and so do catios and window boxes if you're lucky enough to have the space, they can still enjoy the sunshine and fresh air without risk of them getting run over, attacked by another animal/person, getting injured otherwise. I know I just couldn't bear it if my baby was outside all on her own and got hurt..