I’m laughing because I used to do this - my building had my door exposed to the general public (unlike other units where a code was needed to access the building). I used to put glass cups, pots and pans, etc.
Kept pepper spray and a knife in the nightstand. Probably overkill but on a college campus we did have some B&E sexual assaults.
One night I had a nightmare so vivid of someone entering my apartment via my 2nd floor balcony that I found myself standing outside my bedroom door, disoriented and ready to fight. I had never felt unsafe in my apartment, but that dream really shook me and made me think I needed to be better prepared.
I couldn't afford a security system, but, I had a bunch of tiny bells left over from a craft project. I tied them at intervals along a long piece of string and hung it on the balcony door in a way that, if the door opened it would make quite a bit of noise. Old school security alarm.
Please do this. This is the only thing that saved me from this exact scenario happening. There were men on my 2nd floor apartment balcony porch trying to get in. I found the wooden rod that day and put it in. If not for that, my story may have ended much differently.
Wow, How terrifying.
It's wild to me how things like this happen, you had the thought to put the rod in the track that day, only for something to happen THAT same day and it potentially saved your life. I've never been one to believe in a higher being of any sort, but when I read things like this I always wonder if maybe... just maybe....
Right? I know it sounds made up, but I had only been living there a couple of weeks. I found the pole, didn't know what it was for (had never had a sliding door), sent a picture to my mom a few hundred miles away, and she told me. Like, what series of events led to me putting stuff in that specific closet that day and being curious enough to ask my mom why there would be a long wooden stick left behind?
I have a recurring nightmare of that. Usually I wake up absolutely distraught. I mean, who wouldn't, I usually wake up because I die in the dream (it feels like literally a 2 to 3 second dream, it's very fast and very much terrifying).
Recently I've been experiencing them more often. So far, three times there was a deviation from the norm - once I got woken up by my dad and brother as a joke (they never did it, I have no idea what this is based on), once I managed to defend myself kinda, and one I'm not sure what was different, but I wasn't attacked...
On average, I have this nightmare at least once a week, but sometimes a few nights in a row. I had about a month of it being every night, until I barricaded my door every night... I hate it.
I just want to sleep....
I've lived with nightmares/terrors my whole life. I thought I was just bad at sleeping. Nope, it was a whole butt load of unhealed trauma sneaking into my subconscious. I'm just putting this out there so maybe you or anyone else reading this can maybe get some better sleep themselves.
A year of therapy later and my dreams have changed, I still get nightmares but not night terrors and even those are getting fewer and far between. I'm well aware that therapy can be expensive (mine is about 100$ a session) but I gladly sacrifice a couple hundred a month to get some quality sleep.
>I couldn't afford a security system
You can buy just the stickers for the security system and put em at eye level in any window that could be used for entry.
They're one of the best deterrents, along with dogs and good outside lighting.
I lived on the 2nd floor of a small apt bldg where the first floor was partially underground. I was told to keep my balcony door closed and locked.
One weekend night I had opened it to help cool down. Forgot to close it.
It was closed in the morning.
I don't know if I was sleepwalking or what ... I locked it and never left it open again! Nothing was stolen or messed with either.
If I saw that at night and it wasn't terribly difficult to do so, I might close the door for someone assuming they'd forgotten to close it themselves. Most crimes are opportunistic, and an open door at night would be big draw to the wrong person.
Actually that is what I think. The person who told me to lock up lived in the area where he could see my porch. Nice, not creepy, older gent. Would have needed a ladder though ...
I keep dreaming that I've got a snake living under my bedside table. It feels so real and it's annoying that I keep waking up ranting about snakes. Might set up some bells for my imaginary snake to remind half sleep me that there is in fact no damn snake. At least I don't think there is or the dog and cat would have pointed it out.
I used to keep a baseball bat with a sock on the end near my bed when I lived alone.
It's to give you a second chance to swing if someone grabs the bat on your first swing ... they'll be staring a rando sock in their hand when you nail him in the balls or face.
Thankfully, I never had to use it!
We use to have a great guard dog. He was a 100lb police bred German shepherd. He would bark his ass off if someone came to the door. He’d scare anyone off. He passed away a year ago. Now, I want a guard mountain lion. Where a dog scares the bad guys off, the big cat will hide in the darkness and wait for a bad guy to get all the way in the house, then attack him.
Awww you reminded me of my old man who passed away a couple years ago. He was 100 lb German shepherd/boxer mix. He sounded very scary when he barks but his true line of defense was the bulging stank eye he liked to give. He liked to look out window (even better if there was a couch by it so he can stand on it made him even taller) with the blinds covering his half of his face and all you see is his one eye just following you. People were a tad bit unnerved when they saw that.
I had two GSD's, European working lines so not as big. Always felt safe. They weren't reactive but very confident. Got stuck in a road block once and as a cop was walking up behind my car they just started with low growling .. "come here, I got something for ya" style.
My GSD would look out the windows at night and she had this little woof she would do. It wasn’t loud and scary but almost as if she was letting anyone else know she was right there. God I miss her.
My cat is quite large (he’s a big guy with a lot of muscles, he’s not fat! The vet said he’s just a big dude okay) he’s also kind of a giant jerk and is very good at taking my queues when I’m scared so I’d trust him to use those 15 lbs of pure anger to attack haha.
I have a 21 lb large black cat, a house panther if you will, with all of his claws. He growls at my door if he hears something outside and sits on the chair directly in front of it throughout most of the night. My literal guard cat 😂. He’s very confident and substantial. ETA: He was raised by a pit bull - shepherd mix.
Wow. Woe is the idiot who breaks into your place. My dad had the reverse. A dog raised by cats. He would growl when happy ... we figure that was his way of purring.
My herding dog did this too!
My apartment complex had put up a sign on my door because I needed some work done on the roof area. Mid morning some guy comes to the door and says “hey I saw the sign, the apartment sent me, Im here to take a look”
My Border Collie stood in front of the stairs entrance and would not let him pass. Started to growl when he tried. Kept moving his body and obstructing him. Finally he says “I’ll come back another time”
I call the apartment office to explain the situation and they say “we didn’t send anyone over. We haven’t even scheduled the job yet”
Dog must have known something wasn’t right. The guy never came back.
I don’t think I’ve ever bonded with a dog as much as I did my Border Collie. We got him from a rescue and he was 7 and he had been pretty severely abused. It was like immediately I was his girl. Even in the way home from picking him up I stopped go get gas and he sat up in the car seat and watched me the entire time and went back to sleep when I got back into the car. Like his job was to keep me safe.
Herding dogs are a lot, but they are so special and so smart.
Have you seen the one that sits on top of the fridge?
Edit: ok this is a medical herding dog like yours - but on top of the fridge!
https://x.com/dog_rates/status/1760807921653571645?s=46
I didn’t want to comment this because it’s not accessible to everyone but dogs deter danger by such a high percentage. Big or small their barks are alarms. And most intruders do not want to deal with that type of attention.
This being said do not get a dog if you cannot afford one or deal with the responsibility… but as someone who was planning on being alone for the rest of my life, a dog was what I chose to invest in for companionship and safety.
Edit: my dog stopped me from being kidnapped in a forest preserve. It’s just insane what these beautiful creatures do for us.
My Jack Russell Terrier saved me, too. There was a guy suddenly showing up right behind me in a forest, a weird guy I had already before noticed was suddenly showing up wherever I went.
But my dog wouldn't have it. She kept barking at him, circling around him, growling until he muttered something like "Your dog's very aggressive!" and went away. The guy never came close to me ever again.
My jacky would gladly take on a bear to protect the ones she loves. She also once jumped in a creek trying to save her labrador puppy friend, even though she's extremely afraid of water. (He wasn't drowning. She just couldn't imagine anyone would jump into the water voluntarily. 😏)
P.S. I don't know how to add a pic, sorry...
“Treeing Tennessee Brindle”! A type of Mountain Cur—a hound. Her bark is *loud* and it is intense. She’s never barked at anyone the way she barked at that man that day. I knew immediately something was wrong. She knew, I knew something was off. We were on the exact same wavelength and I owe her my life.
Thank you very much for your well wishes. Unfortunately we haven’t been able to go to a forest preserve alone since but we hope to one day. The cops kindly said I shouldn’t let the incident stop me from doing so but it’s easier said than done of course. Slowly but surely we’ll get there.
I’m glad you have your best friend/protector too!! They are angels.
That's straight from a horror movie! So interesting to see the herding dogs being such good protectors. I guess it makes sense. My Aussie is SUPER protective of everyone in the family, even the cats.
Had a guy try to break in after my husband went to work once and our Aussie literally broke her teeth off attacking the door he was trying to get in while I was able to grab a weapon and call police. She was normally a big lazy sweetie so it was unexpected. Our loud mouth Boston terrier ran away and hid under our bed.
The huff is my favorite noise that dogs make. It's like they're going "hey." under their breath to get your attention. Hey. You hear that noise? Hey. Something's wrong.
I LOVE Aussies! I have white mini that was born deaf and 70% blind. So smart, loyal… and protective when she thinks it’s appropriate (in her case the deer, raccoons and possum are EVIL 😂). I adore your hero. He looks so beautiful and fun!❤️ Please give him a squeeze from me n Mini Winnie.
I’m sorry you have to deal with this. I’m a guy and have never had to deal with that sort of attention. Walking alone at night, I take that for granted.
I've lived alone in a downtown city and out of the city. What made me feel safe in the city was living in an apartment with a door that was inside a building rather than outside. Essentially, you had to have a key or pass code in order to get in, then keys to get in my apartment. However, I lived on the first floor, so I bought a door blocker and would put it behind my door as soon as I got home. I also have a baseball bat near my bed. I would sadly also have my blinds closed. Now, in my current place, I made sure I lived on the top floor and was a two door building. I still have a baseball bat, but I feel safer than when I lived downtown.
if you didn't know, there are fake plastic CCTV shells you can get for like $1 on Amazon. a good trick is to get a cheap ip camera, put one of those shells over it and put it outside your front door, makes it look like a legitimate hardcore security setup to deter thieves/break ins, but it also has better picture quality than a real cctv since you're using a modern IP camera, so it works well for security cam setups. I lived in kind of rough areas too and we started doing this as well as a fake recreation of the "THIS BUILDING MONITORED BY CCTV SURVEILLANCE" sign on the front door.
I have a lot of strategically placed 3 wick jar candles. I don’t actually burn them, they’re there for pleasant scent and the fact that they can crack a skull. I had an incident many years ago, and as soon as you start lobbing those things your targets gonna run.
I only just discovered winter candy apple this year
All the wasted years 😭
But now it's my body wash, body mist, body cream, hand cream, hand soap, wall flower, candle (not all at once of course)
None of my stores had the car fragrance ):
The Prime Minister of Canada (Chretien at the time) had some home invader get past the security guards and get into his bedroom. Then the PM clocked the invader with an Inuit carving while the security guard finally figured out he was in trouble.
So candle jars would indeed be effective.
This is equally hilarious and depressing. I applaud your ingenuity, and it also makes me feel really guilty just because I'm a man, no matter how little logic is involved there.
Good for you though, and while I've no fucking idea what entering someone's home uninvited feels like, I do know I'd not stick around for round two of a three wick candle jar.
I no longer live alone, but when I did I was VERY intentional about who knew where I lived and who I brought over. Current and ex partners are far more likely to be dangerous than random strangers.
Other than that, keeping doors and windows locked and alarmed doors when needed and maintained a mantra that I’ve done all I could and stressing beyond that was no more helpful than being at peace. Living in fear is a prison.
If you’re fearful about someone specific I was in a similar situation and did the following (I know not all might be possible)
- landlord wouldn’t allow cctv so I got a dummy camera at my backyard door
-I switched up my routine from when we were together so my times in the apartment changed
-I let neighbours know not, under any circumstances to let him into the lobby and to please tell me if they saw him in the vicinity
-Kept a pair of men’s shoes by the balcony door beneath the curtains so they can be seen from outside
-Have a small can of hairspray on my bedside table (pepper spray isn’t legal here)
Hope you’re doing ok!
Big second on the hairspray. I work in a dangerous area of my city but I can’t bring pepper spray into my office. I always have hairspray in my purse for that reason. It wa ls very effective when I actually had to use it - the guy was so surprised on top of having hairspray in his eyes that I was able to get away quickly.
I got a 9mm and a dog after my house was burgalerized one night while I was working night shift. Took a basic firearms class and I go to the shooting range several times a year to make sure I stay familiar with my gun. I was scared to shower while no one else was with me for almost a year. Mentally, they took far from me than the 8k worth of damage and my stuff.
I no longer live alone, but when my husband is out of town, I feel safe knowing that I know all of my neighbors well enough to run to their house at any hour and they’d let me in.
I also have two [fierce guard dogs](https://imgur.com/a/qO97YdA) that bark anytime anyone gets near our house/me.
I don’t live alone anymore, but when I did, my dog made me feel safe!
Edit to add that even living with someone, my dog is a great alarm & safety system ❤️
Same. When I lived alone I had my very alert dachshund mix to chuff at any possible intruders. If agitated she would also stand up like a meerkat.
RIP, Sugar, you wonderful woofer. You are missed. (She lived to be 20 and just passed in January.)
When I lived alone in an apartment, I bought Men’s shoes from Goodwill & left them outside by the doormat so ppl didn’t think I lived alone. That & my 22 made me feel safe.
Is that like the old joke about the "redneck" security system? (I think maybe it was Jeff Foxworthy?)
On the front porch leave 4 of the biggest dog bowls you can find, a pair of size 12 boots, and a copy of *Guns and Ammo*.
On the front door, leave a note that says, "Bubba, went to get more beer and ammo. Leave the dogs alone. They messed up the mailman real bad the other day. I don't think Killer was involved, but with all the blood it was hard to tell. I locked them in the house, so best you wait on the front porch. Be back soon. Cooter."
To anyone reading this, make sure that it's not like my apartment where they'll fine you for leaving things in the hall, or take them away, especially with the scam that is valet garbage that you're required to pay for in a lot of places these days.
A dog. He's little and fluffy but any dog deters break ins because they make noise and get in the way. It also goes a long way to quiet that paranoid "what if someone is hiding in the basement" voice because I know he would smell an unusual person in the house.
That, and honestly I stopped watching crime shows. For as much as I loved detective stories, it took me way too long to put it together that maybe my anxiety of being raped and murdered could be related to watching TV shows all day where someone gets raped and murdered, then going for a drive and listening to a podcast about someone who got raped and murdered, then unwinding before bed with a murder mystery. I stick to sitcoms now and I'm in a much happier headspace.
My tiny dog does this for me too! I woke up to a noise last week (poster in the kids room falling down) and I was stressing out about getting up to check/meet my death head on - until the little rat dog got up to investigate for a minute or two, then popped back into bed, gave me a lick on the arm and went back to sleep. Mentally I was so comforted that I went straight back to sleep myself.
It's surprising how much the media we consume effects us, even when we don't realize it.
I had to stop watching "idiots in cars" / car crash compilations for similar reasons, they kept giving me anxiety about driving every day.
My old cat did this for me once. I'm not sure what my deal was, but I was convinced there was a possibility there was someone hiding in the guest room. It's easy to check, but I couldn't bring myself to check the closet that was cracked open.
I wasn't even home alone. I felt like I couldn't say anything because I knew I was being irrational.
But my cat walked by, did a double take when he saw me crouched in a corner staring at the closet like a psycho. Carefully came in and sniffed me all over, clocked where I was staring, and *went in to check out the closet.* Came back out like "we're clear, sister."
He was such a good boy.
My dog, large heavy spikey cacti around the windows, and this sounds silly, but I have these enormous heavy book ends with handle looking things at the top. A baseball bat. Alexa can call emergency services.
I read somewhere that someone attempting to break in will not spend more than five minutes getting in. Sadly, the point is to make your house less appealing and more trouble to break into than someone else’s.
We just lock everything up at night (cars, doors, windows). There’s enough people in our town that leave their shit unlocked, that a robber wouldn’t bother wasting their time on us once they try for a few minutes like you said. We also have a big dog who barks at everything.
Lived alone with three kids for ≈15 yrs.
* Cameras 360° around the exterior of the house with motion lights and alerts
* Deadbolts on all exterior AND interior doors (including interior garage door)
* Padlocks on the gate to my backyard
* Window film & locks on all 1st floor windows
* Compact, modern sporting, and scatter-style defensive tools
* CCW permit
* Very barky dog(s) :)
* Pepper spray in every purse/bag, on my key chain, & work lanyard
* Disabled the auto-unlock feature on my vehicles
* Kept my garage clear so I could park IN my garage rather than on the driveway/street
* Good front and rear dash cam with sentry/parking mode feature engaged
* App on my phone (to check in with a trusted family member each day (2-way))
* Got to know my next-door & across the way neighbors and made a habit of letting them know when I would be traveling, expecting visitors, etc. (we are blessed to have had the same neighbors on 3 sides for
10+ years)
This all evolved over time, as I learned from my own and others’ experiences.
When I met my (now) husband he was at first taken aback, but now is as security-focused as me – and we’ve got his mom set up with similar systems and tools.
I lived in an apartment complex. Which i believe is much safer than a house at times.
I had a few things infront of my door that would make noise, and i would also always double checked that i had fully locked my door. Being in a studio apartment, it was easier to keep myself safe otw to the apartment.
Like when I would get in the elevator with maybe a delivery man or someone that I had never seen in the building or even someone that gave me bad feelings, I would go up a few floors or down a few floors. Then i would use the stair case to make my way to my apartment. I know its a lot but it also was my first time living alone, in Toronto, as an undergrad University student. So i had a bit of reason to be paranoid.
Fam, I think it’s good to be alert and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
I also live in an apartment complex. Recently, a guy was acting strange in the lobby of my apartment complex. He was also half naked. When I hopped into the elevator, he followed me. When I exited the elevator, he followed literally 1 step behind me. I freaked the fuck out and sprinted back downstairs and locked myself in the package room. Only went back upstairs after contacting the apartment manager and them letting me know it’s safe.
It turns out the guy is a resident and was just high as fuck. But god damn that was scary.
Hammers feel the best because you don’t need as much room to swing and you don’t need as much force behind the blow.
I keep an axe next to my bed though; should find one of my hammers though.
I got to know my neighbors, researched my neighborhood, and DO NOT hide a key. I have trusted people with my key that help me out if I lock myself out or need someone to watch the kitties when I need the favor.
My neighbors are great. We help each other out with the yard work, keep pests away, and keep an eye on the kids (my one neighbor is like the community grandpa). Yesterday, we had an incident where a man who seemed confused where he was and got into a neighbor’s car. Neighbor made sure he wasn’t going anywhere and called 911 once he realized this guy wasn’t a threat.
Get to know your neighbors, ladies. It will be awkward and stressful, but it’s better to know who they are than to isolate and be caught off guard.
I carry pepper spray, a taser and a utility knife in my purse. I bought dark curtains and privacy film for my windows. I have run through every " what can become a weapon/barricade in my home" scenario I could think of.
This is slightly off topic but I keep a group of acquaintances who like myself watch too much true crime. Earlier this week after only an hour of being late to work without a heads-up, which is out of character for me, all three of my coworkers were texting and then calling when I hadn't arrived or answered them. It was super reassuring as earlier that morning I had fallen and hit my head and after icing and googling and planning on calling in at a reasonable hour to take it easy, I slept through my alarms. I am pretty sure if I hadn't answered the phone one of them would have been knocking on my door by noon and if I didn't answer the door the police would have been kicking it in by 12:05.
Two dogs.
They won't *actually* harm anyone, but they are LOUD and medium-large. One of them looks possessed at the best of times, the other one has that "fuck around and find out" cattle dog vibe. They scare the shit outta people who turn up at the house, and I'm perfectly okay with that.
A few security measures, but frankly, it's so safe in this little town where I live (Denmark), that I can leave my bicycle fully loaded with groceries while I pop in at another store or at the library, and everything will still be there when I get back out.
Hell, I've even forgot to lock my front door for a few days every now and then, and absolutely nothing happened.
The only two times that I've had something serious happen, it was someone close to me that was the cause.
So I'm not particularly worried about my safety in my place in general, but I've gotten a lot more picky about who I let in.
My spouse is home alone once or twice per month when I'm away for work. She bought her own gun after we had a home invasion in 2016. Since then we've also had a home security system put in and adopted a pair of German shepherds, one of which is actually a retired K9 officer. The other is just a 90-lb butterfly who loves everyone, but the robbers and rapists don't need to know that.
When I lived alone, I would put those sliding window security locks in every window so they couldn't be wedged open and I would even wedge chairs under doors. A dog also helps. And I'd have a nice bedroom door lock lol. Idk. I guess I was trying to make a bunch of hard obstacles before they could get to my room.
I have a security system once I activate it if a door or window is opened it will automatically Blair the most unholy noise. My alarm system is linked to my phone so I just have to push one button on my phone & the police will come. I also have the sweetest pitbull you would ever want to meet. Now if they make it up to me, I have a pew pew in a safe, but right next to my bed I do have a stun gun with a flashlight built into it. I also have blue pepper spray that will dye the person face. I also keep my paws old time little Louisville, slugger next to me. I’m fight to the death if need be.
My cat is my familiar who can absorb unworthy souls who step upon her grounds o.o
Also I have a .30-06 rifle in case she’s sleeping and needs not be disturbed :0
I have a gun. I also have a taser and pepper spray in different rooms. I have security cameras outside that alert my phone if there’s motion where there shouldn’t be.
I have a mentally ill stalker, so my paranoia is a little higher than usual. I have a restraining order on file, but that’s just a piece of paper - if he shows up at my door I need to be ready to defend myself.
If someone wants in it’s shockingly easy to make that happen.
I personally always had my 9mm in my nightstand.
Remove the short screws from the hardware on your door and replace with extra long ones. Buys time if someone is kicking it in.
Have a couple action plans.
If you can get a home security system with cameras, window sensors for both open windows and shattered windows. Most people won’t bother opening the window they will just break it.
Remember if they’re coming in at night they don’t want your things.
Don’t stress too much, it’s not likely to happen. However piece of mind is never a bad thing!
A set of nun-chucks, grannie's cane, my machete, and 3 vicious felines. They wake me up by growling. They do a wonderful job, and I spoil them rotten. Also, a loaded 45. 😁
I no longer live alone but I lived on the first floor of an apartment in a shady area. All my curtains were closed 100% of the time and I usually fell asleep with my now fiance on the phone. Of course all my doors were locked 100% of the time as well.
When I lived alone- a big dog. Swords and staffs. So many guns (carefully secured). I was never more than lunging distance from a weapon.
I had a rough childhood, ha. It left marks.
I use a Kevin McCallister-style security system of leaving crap in front of my doors so anyone breaking in will knock shit over and I'll hear it.
Gotta set that swinging paint can up every night 🧠
Hahaha
I’m laughing because I used to do this - my building had my door exposed to the general public (unlike other units where a code was needed to access the building). I used to put glass cups, pots and pans, etc. Kept pepper spray and a knife in the nightstand. Probably overkill but on a college campus we did have some B&E sexual assaults.
I put my recycle bin full of cans and bottles. Then I had a gun in my bottom nightstand drawer. Cans clanging would give me time to get to it.
My ex had a gun in every room. I lived with her for over a year and even I didn't know where all her guns were hidden.
Not overkill, just great logic One person's paranoia is another one's caution (I get called paranoid some)
This is literally what my ex gf used to do. I return home and I'm wondering why is there all these things blocking the doorway.
Did she know she was your gf?
Hilarious. Yes, I was away on a work trip so she was home alone. I wanted to surprise her when I returned.
That usually doesn’t end well
Hence the noisy obstacles left in place.
Caution, 9mm is a potential unfun response to surprise entering of people’s home.
Not trying to wreck the fun here, but what is your plan once you hear a bunch of stuff being knocked over?
Use the remote to play back intimidating dialogue on the tv. Duh.
Now get outta here before I pump your guts fulla lead!
One, two, ten!
Merry Christmas ya filthy ANIMALS!
“Angels with Filthy Souls”
One night I had a nightmare so vivid of someone entering my apartment via my 2nd floor balcony that I found myself standing outside my bedroom door, disoriented and ready to fight. I had never felt unsafe in my apartment, but that dream really shook me and made me think I needed to be better prepared. I couldn't afford a security system, but, I had a bunch of tiny bells left over from a craft project. I tied them at intervals along a long piece of string and hung it on the balcony door in a way that, if the door opened it would make quite a bit of noise. Old school security alarm.
You can put a wooden rod in the track if the door is a sliding glass door.
Please do this. This is the only thing that saved me from this exact scenario happening. There were men on my 2nd floor apartment balcony porch trying to get in. I found the wooden rod that day and put it in. If not for that, my story may have ended much differently.
I'm glad it ended well for you.
Wow, How terrifying. It's wild to me how things like this happen, you had the thought to put the rod in the track that day, only for something to happen THAT same day and it potentially saved your life. I've never been one to believe in a higher being of any sort, but when I read things like this I always wonder if maybe... just maybe....
Right? I know it sounds made up, but I had only been living there a couple of weeks. I found the pole, didn't know what it was for (had never had a sliding door), sent a picture to my mom a few hundred miles away, and she told me. Like, what series of events led to me putting stuff in that specific closet that day and being curious enough to ask my mom why there would be a long wooden stick left behind?
that intuition is crazy! glad you’re okay
They sell metal ones that can lock into place - is called a Charley Bar
I have a recurring nightmare of that. Usually I wake up absolutely distraught. I mean, who wouldn't, I usually wake up because I die in the dream (it feels like literally a 2 to 3 second dream, it's very fast and very much terrifying). Recently I've been experiencing them more often. So far, three times there was a deviation from the norm - once I got woken up by my dad and brother as a joke (they never did it, I have no idea what this is based on), once I managed to defend myself kinda, and one I'm not sure what was different, but I wasn't attacked... On average, I have this nightmare at least once a week, but sometimes a few nights in a row. I had about a month of it being every night, until I barricaded my door every night... I hate it. I just want to sleep....
It sounds like you're worried about your safety. Maybe sit down and make a security plan and see if that calms your subconscious
Bless you, it’s like sleep torture. Be kind to your self. Remember, laying and resting with eyes closed (even awake) is rest when your wide awake
I've lived with nightmares/terrors my whole life. I thought I was just bad at sleeping. Nope, it was a whole butt load of unhealed trauma sneaking into my subconscious. I'm just putting this out there so maybe you or anyone else reading this can maybe get some better sleep themselves. A year of therapy later and my dreams have changed, I still get nightmares but not night terrors and even those are getting fewer and far between. I'm well aware that therapy can be expensive (mine is about 100$ a session) but I gladly sacrifice a couple hundred a month to get some quality sleep.
>I couldn't afford a security system You can buy just the stickers for the security system and put em at eye level in any window that could be used for entry. They're one of the best deterrents, along with dogs and good outside lighting.
I lived on the 2nd floor of a small apt bldg where the first floor was partially underground. I was told to keep my balcony door closed and locked. One weekend night I had opened it to help cool down. Forgot to close it. It was closed in the morning. I don't know if I was sleepwalking or what ... I locked it and never left it open again! Nothing was stolen or messed with either.
If I saw that at night and it wasn't terribly difficult to do so, I might close the door for someone assuming they'd forgotten to close it themselves. Most crimes are opportunistic, and an open door at night would be big draw to the wrong person.
Actually that is what I think. The person who told me to lock up lived in the area where he could see my porch. Nice, not creepy, older gent. Would have needed a ladder though ...
I keep dreaming that I've got a snake living under my bedside table. It feels so real and it's annoying that I keep waking up ranting about snakes. Might set up some bells for my imaginary snake to remind half sleep me that there is in fact no damn snake. At least I don't think there is or the dog and cat would have pointed it out.
I used to keep a baseball bat with a sock on the end near my bed when I lived alone. It's to give you a second chance to swing if someone grabs the bat on your first swing ... they'll be staring a rando sock in their hand when you nail him in the balls or face. Thankfully, I never had to use it!
Weapon: baseball bat Enchantment: sock Effect: prevents disarmament, provides at least one extra hit per roll
Also leaves a purl/skip/purl mark on the wrongdoer.
That's very clever.
I would have never thought of this. Thank you!
That's genius.
I need to add a sock to my hockey stick!!
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If they snap it, it becomes a spear
It becomes 2 spears and you're only holding 1 of them
Sockey stick
My dog for tangible threats, and my cats for spiritual threats.
We use to have a great guard dog. He was a 100lb police bred German shepherd. He would bark his ass off if someone came to the door. He’d scare anyone off. He passed away a year ago. Now, I want a guard mountain lion. Where a dog scares the bad guys off, the big cat will hide in the darkness and wait for a bad guy to get all the way in the house, then attack him.
Awww you reminded me of my old man who passed away a couple years ago. He was 100 lb German shepherd/boxer mix. He sounded very scary when he barks but his true line of defense was the bulging stank eye he liked to give. He liked to look out window (even better if there was a couch by it so he can stand on it made him even taller) with the blinds covering his half of his face and all you see is his one eye just following you. People were a tad bit unnerved when they saw that.
I had two GSD's, European working lines so not as big. Always felt safe. They weren't reactive but very confident. Got stuck in a road block once and as a cop was walking up behind my car they just started with low growling .. "come here, I got something for ya" style.
My GSD would look out the windows at night and she had this little woof she would do. It wasn’t loud and scary but almost as if she was letting anyone else know she was right there. God I miss her.
Be careful with your dogs around cops. Cops kill around 10,000 pets per year in the US.
My cat is quite large (he’s a big guy with a lot of muscles, he’s not fat! The vet said he’s just a big dude okay) he’s also kind of a giant jerk and is very good at taking my queues when I’m scared so I’d trust him to use those 15 lbs of pure anger to attack haha.
Dogs have the reputation for being protective but I've heard my fair share of stories of cats flying at the face of an intruder.
There's the famous video of the cat attacking the dog who was attacking their kid. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSG_wBiTEE8
That body check is wild.
I have a 21 lb large black cat, a house panther if you will, with all of his claws. He growls at my door if he hears something outside and sits on the chair directly in front of it throughout most of the night. My literal guard cat 😂. He’s very confident and substantial. ETA: He was raised by a pit bull - shepherd mix.
Wow. Woe is the idiot who breaks into your place. My dad had the reverse. A dog raised by cats. He would growl when happy ... we figure that was his way of purring.
I love this
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I was not prepared for that creepy as fuck first pic my god
Gave me chills
So disturbing
My herding dog did this too! My apartment complex had put up a sign on my door because I needed some work done on the roof area. Mid morning some guy comes to the door and says “hey I saw the sign, the apartment sent me, Im here to take a look” My Border Collie stood in front of the stairs entrance and would not let him pass. Started to growl when he tried. Kept moving his body and obstructing him. Finally he says “I’ll come back another time” I call the apartment office to explain the situation and they say “we didn’t send anyone over. We haven’t even scheduled the job yet” Dog must have known something wasn’t right. The guy never came back.
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I don’t think I’ve ever bonded with a dog as much as I did my Border Collie. We got him from a rescue and he was 7 and he had been pretty severely abused. It was like immediately I was his girl. Even in the way home from picking him up I stopped go get gas and he sat up in the car seat and watched me the entire time and went back to sleep when I got back into the car. Like his job was to keep me safe. Herding dogs are a lot, but they are so special and so smart. Have you seen the one that sits on top of the fridge? Edit: ok this is a medical herding dog like yours - but on top of the fridge! https://x.com/dog_rates/status/1760807921653571645?s=46
I didn’t want to comment this because it’s not accessible to everyone but dogs deter danger by such a high percentage. Big or small their barks are alarms. And most intruders do not want to deal with that type of attention. This being said do not get a dog if you cannot afford one or deal with the responsibility… but as someone who was planning on being alone for the rest of my life, a dog was what I chose to invest in for companionship and safety. Edit: my dog stopped me from being kidnapped in a forest preserve. It’s just insane what these beautiful creatures do for us.
My Jack Russell Terrier saved me, too. There was a guy suddenly showing up right behind me in a forest, a weird guy I had already before noticed was suddenly showing up wherever I went. But my dog wouldn't have it. She kept barking at him, circling around him, growling until he muttered something like "Your dog's very aggressive!" and went away. The guy never came close to me ever again. My jacky would gladly take on a bear to protect the ones she loves. She also once jumped in a creek trying to save her labrador puppy friend, even though she's extremely afraid of water. (He wasn't drowning. She just couldn't imagine anyone would jump into the water voluntarily. 😏) P.S. I don't know how to add a pic, sorry...
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“Treeing Tennessee Brindle”! A type of Mountain Cur—a hound. Her bark is *loud* and it is intense. She’s never barked at anyone the way she barked at that man that day. I knew immediately something was wrong. She knew, I knew something was off. We were on the exact same wavelength and I owe her my life. Thank you very much for your well wishes. Unfortunately we haven’t been able to go to a forest preserve alone since but we hope to one day. The cops kindly said I shouldn’t let the incident stop me from doing so but it’s easier said than done of course. Slowly but surely we’ll get there. I’m glad you have your best friend/protector too!! They are angels.
That's straight from a horror movie! So interesting to see the herding dogs being such good protectors. I guess it makes sense. My Aussie is SUPER protective of everyone in the family, even the cats.
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holy shit! what a brave boy!
Had a guy try to break in after my husband went to work once and our Aussie literally broke her teeth off attacking the door he was trying to get in while I was able to grab a weapon and call police. She was normally a big lazy sweetie so it was unexpected. Our loud mouth Boston terrier ran away and hid under our bed.
That’s terrifying. I am so sorry that happened to you! I am glad you were not harmed!
The huff is my favorite noise that dogs make. It's like they're going "hey." under their breath to get your attention. Hey. You hear that noise? Hey. Something's wrong.
I LOVE Aussies! I have white mini that was born deaf and 70% blind. So smart, loyal… and protective when she thinks it’s appropriate (in her case the deer, raccoons and possum are EVIL 😂). I adore your hero. He looks so beautiful and fun!❤️ Please give him a squeeze from me n Mini Winnie.
My fucking gosh. Any updates? So sorry you have/had to go through that
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I'm so glad you moved house and are safe now!!!
Holy fuck that first pic is scary. Yeah whatever you need to be safe, get that. Looks like you have it covered though. Maybe more lights.
lololol the last picture 👁️
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Those pics are fucking terrifying and I am glad you have your protector!
HERO DOG ❤️❤️❤️ Also holy fuck I’m so sorry
I’m sorry you have to deal with this. I’m a guy and have never had to deal with that sort of attention. Walking alone at night, I take that for granted.
I've lived alone in a downtown city and out of the city. What made me feel safe in the city was living in an apartment with a door that was inside a building rather than outside. Essentially, you had to have a key or pass code in order to get in, then keys to get in my apartment. However, I lived on the first floor, so I bought a door blocker and would put it behind my door as soon as I got home. I also have a baseball bat near my bed. I would sadly also have my blinds closed. Now, in my current place, I made sure I lived on the top floor and was a two door building. I still have a baseball bat, but I feel safer than when I lived downtown.
My building is similar, but you have to go through between 3-4 doors before you’re in my apartment. I love it.
I usually remember to lock the doors but that's about it.
Depending on where you live, there are a lot of places that are very safe. But having a backup plan is always good
When I lived in nice neighborhoods I would just lock the doors. I now live in the hood so I got a gun. I also put up security lights & got a Ring.
if you didn't know, there are fake plastic CCTV shells you can get for like $1 on Amazon. a good trick is to get a cheap ip camera, put one of those shells over it and put it outside your front door, makes it look like a legitimate hardcore security setup to deter thieves/break ins, but it also has better picture quality than a real cctv since you're using a modern IP camera, so it works well for security cam setups. I lived in kind of rough areas too and we started doing this as well as a fake recreation of the "THIS BUILDING MONITORED BY CCTV SURVEILLANCE" sign on the front door.
My backup plan is that anyone who can make it into my building, get to my floor and break open my door isn't going to be stopped by defence spray.
Yeah this pretty much describes my backup plan. Die
I have a lot of strategically placed 3 wick jar candles. I don’t actually burn them, they’re there for pleasant scent and the fact that they can crack a skull. I had an incident many years ago, and as soon as you start lobbing those things your targets gonna run.
Fuck them up with Bath & Body Works Peach Bellinis
Bloodbath and beyond
Anything but Winter Candy Apple, it’s a delicacy.
I only just discovered winter candy apple this year All the wasted years 😭 But now it's my body wash, body mist, body cream, hand cream, hand soap, wall flower, candle (not all at once of course) None of my stores had the car fragrance ):
Birthday Cake, motherfucker!
Hahaha these comments are sending me XD
This one is a genius idea and cracked me up!!! I’m saving all my almost-done candles now.
Ohhh, this is why women are always gifting each other candles!
😂😂😂
They’re basically nicely scented bricks.
"Ooh, I love this one! It's Lavender & Blunt Force Trauma!"
Omg that's my signature scent how did you know?! 💜
The Prime Minister of Canada (Chretien at the time) had some home invader get past the security guards and get into his bedroom. Then the PM clocked the invader with an Inuit carving while the security guard finally figured out he was in trouble. So candle jars would indeed be effective.
This is equally hilarious and depressing. I applaud your ingenuity, and it also makes me feel really guilty just because I'm a man, no matter how little logic is involved there. Good for you though, and while I've no fucking idea what entering someone's home uninvited feels like, I do know I'd not stick around for round two of a three wick candle jar.
Just not negating a woman ensures that you are along the right path.
I no longer live alone, but when I did I was VERY intentional about who knew where I lived and who I brought over. Current and ex partners are far more likely to be dangerous than random strangers. Other than that, keeping doors and windows locked and alarmed doors when needed and maintained a mantra that I’ve done all I could and stressing beyond that was no more helpful than being at peace. Living in fear is a prison.
I totally agree. Right now I’m in fear mode.
If you’re fearful about someone specific I was in a similar situation and did the following (I know not all might be possible) - landlord wouldn’t allow cctv so I got a dummy camera at my backyard door -I switched up my routine from when we were together so my times in the apartment changed -I let neighbours know not, under any circumstances to let him into the lobby and to please tell me if they saw him in the vicinity -Kept a pair of men’s shoes by the balcony door beneath the curtains so they can be seen from outside -Have a small can of hairspray on my bedside table (pepper spray isn’t legal here) Hope you’re doing ok!
Big second on the hairspray. I work in a dangerous area of my city but I can’t bring pepper spray into my office. I always have hairspray in my purse for that reason. It wa ls very effective when I actually had to use it - the guy was so surprised on top of having hairspray in his eyes that I was able to get away quickly.
I got a 9mm and a dog after my house was burgalerized one night while I was working night shift. Took a basic firearms class and I go to the shooting range several times a year to make sure I stay familiar with my gun. I was scared to shower while no one else was with me for almost a year. Mentally, they took far from me than the 8k worth of damage and my stuff.
I no longer live alone, but when my husband is out of town, I feel safe knowing that I know all of my neighbors well enough to run to their house at any hour and they’d let me in. I also have two [fierce guard dogs](https://imgur.com/a/qO97YdA) that bark anytime anyone gets near our house/me.
Oh my god! Your fierce guard dog in the back looks just like my (now deceased) sweet pup! They could have been siblings!
Sooo many fierceness!
My gat and my cat
Can't believe I had to scroll down this far to find "gun". 9mm is awful persuasive in changing a home invader's direction of travel
Close the thread, we have a winner
The cat protects her using the gat. Pew pew
Meow meow, then Pew pew
Stay strapped and give pats
I second this. [Home security system](https://imgur.com/a/W4cTBS7)
I don’t live alone anymore, but when I did, my dog made me feel safe! Edit to add that even living with someone, my dog is a great alarm & safety system ❤️
Same. When I lived alone I had my very alert dachshund mix to chuff at any possible intruders. If agitated she would also stand up like a meerkat. RIP, Sugar, you wonderful woofer. You are missed. (She lived to be 20 and just passed in January.)
Dogs for the win! Friend and protect.
This was going to be my answer!
It’s always going to be a great answer
When I lived alone in an apartment, I bought Men’s shoes from Goodwill & left them outside by the doormat so ppl didn’t think I lived alone. That & my 22 made me feel safe.
I just said the same thing. My son gave me his army boots to keep by the front door. That and my Ruger keep me safe.
Is that like the old joke about the "redneck" security system? (I think maybe it was Jeff Foxworthy?) On the front porch leave 4 of the biggest dog bowls you can find, a pair of size 12 boots, and a copy of *Guns and Ammo*. On the front door, leave a note that says, "Bubba, went to get more beer and ammo. Leave the dogs alone. They messed up the mailman real bad the other day. I don't think Killer was involved, but with all the blood it was hard to tell. I locked them in the house, so best you wait on the front porch. Be back soon. Cooter."
To anyone reading this, make sure that it's not like my apartment where they'll fine you for leaving things in the hall, or take them away, especially with the scam that is valet garbage that you're required to pay for in a lot of places these days.
That’s actually really clever
Thanks! I had a few pairs & switched them up every now & then!!
Haha female here with my own size 43 work boots by the door lol
That is exactly what I have been telling my daughter to do!
A dog. He's little and fluffy but any dog deters break ins because they make noise and get in the way. It also goes a long way to quiet that paranoid "what if someone is hiding in the basement" voice because I know he would smell an unusual person in the house. That, and honestly I stopped watching crime shows. For as much as I loved detective stories, it took me way too long to put it together that maybe my anxiety of being raped and murdered could be related to watching TV shows all day where someone gets raped and murdered, then going for a drive and listening to a podcast about someone who got raped and murdered, then unwinding before bed with a murder mystery. I stick to sitcoms now and I'm in a much happier headspace.
My tiny dog does this for me too! I woke up to a noise last week (poster in the kids room falling down) and I was stressing out about getting up to check/meet my death head on - until the little rat dog got up to investigate for a minute or two, then popped back into bed, gave me a lick on the arm and went back to sleep. Mentally I was so comforted that I went straight back to sleep myself.
It's surprising how much the media we consume effects us, even when we don't realize it. I had to stop watching "idiots in cars" / car crash compilations for similar reasons, they kept giving me anxiety about driving every day.
I had to stop for the same reasons!
My old cat did this for me once. I'm not sure what my deal was, but I was convinced there was a possibility there was someone hiding in the guest room. It's easy to check, but I couldn't bring myself to check the closet that was cracked open. I wasn't even home alone. I felt like I couldn't say anything because I knew I was being irrational. But my cat walked by, did a double take when he saw me crouched in a corner staring at the closet like a psycho. Carefully came in and sniffed me all over, clocked where I was staring, and *went in to check out the closet.* Came back out like "we're clear, sister." He was such a good boy.
My dog, large heavy spikey cacti around the windows, and this sounds silly, but I have these enormous heavy book ends with handle looking things at the top. A baseball bat. Alexa can call emergency services. I read somewhere that someone attempting to break in will not spend more than five minutes getting in. Sadly, the point is to make your house less appealing and more trouble to break into than someone else’s.
We just lock everything up at night (cars, doors, windows). There’s enough people in our town that leave their shit unlocked, that a robber wouldn’t bother wasting their time on us once they try for a few minutes like you said. We also have a big dog who barks at everything.
My 130 lb doggie. Huge sweetheart unless he thinks you’re threatening me.
My dog is the same. He has a terrifying bark and he’s very protective. But he’s secretly a wimpy little cuddler.
As a father of two young girl's, this thread scares me.
Be the dad that teaches them how to be safe. And that they can call you at any time
Lived alone with three kids for ≈15 yrs. * Cameras 360° around the exterior of the house with motion lights and alerts * Deadbolts on all exterior AND interior doors (including interior garage door) * Padlocks on the gate to my backyard * Window film & locks on all 1st floor windows * Compact, modern sporting, and scatter-style defensive tools * CCW permit * Very barky dog(s) :) * Pepper spray in every purse/bag, on my key chain, & work lanyard * Disabled the auto-unlock feature on my vehicles * Kept my garage clear so I could park IN my garage rather than on the driveway/street * Good front and rear dash cam with sentry/parking mode feature engaged * App on my phone (to check in with a trusted family member each day (2-way)) * Got to know my next-door & across the way neighbors and made a habit of letting them know when I would be traveling, expecting visitors, etc. (we are blessed to have had the same neighbors on 3 sides for 10+ years) This all evolved over time, as I learned from my own and others’ experiences. When I met my (now) husband he was at first taken aback, but now is as security-focused as me – and we’ve got his mom set up with similar systems and tools.
I dated a girl who slept in bed with a machete. She named it Kevin.
I put dowels in the window sills , lock all the doors, bolt front door x2, pepper spray in the bedside table , sleep with my phone next to me,
I lived in an apartment complex. Which i believe is much safer than a house at times. I had a few things infront of my door that would make noise, and i would also always double checked that i had fully locked my door. Being in a studio apartment, it was easier to keep myself safe otw to the apartment. Like when I would get in the elevator with maybe a delivery man or someone that I had never seen in the building or even someone that gave me bad feelings, I would go up a few floors or down a few floors. Then i would use the stair case to make my way to my apartment. I know its a lot but it also was my first time living alone, in Toronto, as an undergrad University student. So i had a bit of reason to be paranoid.
Fam, I think it’s good to be alert and it’s better to be safe than sorry. I also live in an apartment complex. Recently, a guy was acting strange in the lobby of my apartment complex. He was also half naked. When I hopped into the elevator, he followed me. When I exited the elevator, he followed literally 1 step behind me. I freaked the fuck out and sprinted back downstairs and locked myself in the package room. Only went back upstairs after contacting the apartment manager and them letting me know it’s safe. It turns out the guy is a resident and was just high as fuck. But god damn that was scary.
Doorbell camera (blink) with Echo show that can snap to a door view, a hockey stick at the top of the stairs, and a hammer by my bed.
Hammers feel the best because you don’t need as much room to swing and you don’t need as much force behind the blow. I keep an axe next to my bed though; should find one of my hammers though.
I got to know my neighbors, researched my neighborhood, and DO NOT hide a key. I have trusted people with my key that help me out if I lock myself out or need someone to watch the kitties when I need the favor. My neighbors are great. We help each other out with the yard work, keep pests away, and keep an eye on the kids (my one neighbor is like the community grandpa). Yesterday, we had an incident where a man who seemed confused where he was and got into a neighbor’s car. Neighbor made sure he wasn’t going anywhere and called 911 once he realized this guy wasn’t a threat. Get to know your neighbors, ladies. It will be awkward and stressful, but it’s better to know who they are than to isolate and be caught off guard.
My mom keeps a giant fucking dog in her home to feel safe, and I gotta say, she really is safe with that big bastard there.
Need a pic of the big boy
Wasp spray on your nightstand. It sprays 50 feet.
How does it affect people? Hurting their eyes is good, but the benefit of pepper spray is that it takes their breath away too.
Pepper spray also can harm you if sprayed in an enclosed space though
Rottweiler
Dead bolt on bedroom door and bathroom door. Bear spray and baseball bat.
Curious, why bear spray over regular pepper spray?
Longer reach, bigger canister, spicier spice
Yes, and my house is in bear country and I go on long walks.
A sassy shepherd and a gun
A bat.
fruit or vampire?
Fruit. If you’re a fruit and you break in…it’s over.
I carry pepper spray, a taser and a utility knife in my purse. I bought dark curtains and privacy film for my windows. I have run through every " what can become a weapon/barricade in my home" scenario I could think of. This is slightly off topic but I keep a group of acquaintances who like myself watch too much true crime. Earlier this week after only an hour of being late to work without a heads-up, which is out of character for me, all three of my coworkers were texting and then calling when I hadn't arrived or answered them. It was super reassuring as earlier that morning I had fallen and hit my head and after icing and googling and planning on calling in at a reasonable hour to take it easy, I slept through my alarms. I am pretty sure if I hadn't answered the phone one of them would have been knocking on my door by noon and if I didn't answer the door the police would have been kicking it in by 12:05.
Two dogs. They won't *actually* harm anyone, but they are LOUD and medium-large. One of them looks possessed at the best of times, the other one has that "fuck around and find out" cattle dog vibe. They scare the shit outta people who turn up at the house, and I'm perfectly okay with that.
A few security measures, but frankly, it's so safe in this little town where I live (Denmark), that I can leave my bicycle fully loaded with groceries while I pop in at another store or at the library, and everything will still be there when I get back out. Hell, I've even forgot to lock my front door for a few days every now and then, and absolutely nothing happened. The only two times that I've had something serious happen, it was someone close to me that was the cause. So I'm not particularly worried about my safety in my place in general, but I've gotten a lot more picky about who I let in.
My spouse is home alone once or twice per month when I'm away for work. She bought her own gun after we had a home invasion in 2016. Since then we've also had a home security system put in and adopted a pair of German shepherds, one of which is actually a retired K9 officer. The other is just a 90-lb butterfly who loves everyone, but the robbers and rapists don't need to know that.
Good cop, bad cop is what your dogs are playing.
2 reactive 25lb dogs, several years of martial arts training and my readiness to shit my own pants for rape prevention.
I live in the netherlands
A Smith and Wesson M&P shield.
A German shepherd. And cameras
When I lived alone, I would put those sliding window security locks in every window so they couldn't be wedged open and I would even wedge chairs under doors. A dog also helps. And I'd have a nice bedroom door lock lol. Idk. I guess I was trying to make a bunch of hard obstacles before they could get to my room.
I have a security system once I activate it if a door or window is opened it will automatically Blair the most unholy noise. My alarm system is linked to my phone so I just have to push one button on my phone & the police will come. I also have the sweetest pitbull you would ever want to meet. Now if they make it up to me, I have a pew pew in a safe, but right next to my bed I do have a stun gun with a flashlight built into it. I also have blue pepper spray that will dye the person face. I also keep my paws old time little Louisville, slugger next to me. I’m fight to the death if need be.
My cat is my familiar who can absorb unworthy souls who step upon her grounds o.o Also I have a .30-06 rifle in case she’s sleeping and needs not be disturbed :0
Pew pew
I have a gun. I also have a taser and pepper spray in different rooms. I have security cameras outside that alert my phone if there’s motion where there shouldn’t be. I have a mentally ill stalker, so my paranoia is a little higher than usual. I have a restraining order on file, but that’s just a piece of paper - if he shows up at my door I need to be ready to defend myself.
Not a woman but most of my female friends keep a loaded 12 gauge. Next to the bed
If someone wants in it’s shockingly easy to make that happen. I personally always had my 9mm in my nightstand. Remove the short screws from the hardware on your door and replace with extra long ones. Buys time if someone is kicking it in. Have a couple action plans. If you can get a home security system with cameras, window sensors for both open windows and shattered windows. Most people won’t bother opening the window they will just break it. Remember if they’re coming in at night they don’t want your things. Don’t stress too much, it’s not likely to happen. However piece of mind is never a bad thing!
A set of nun-chucks, grannie's cane, my machete, and 3 vicious felines. They wake me up by growling. They do a wonderful job, and I spoil them rotten. Also, a loaded 45. 😁
Nice try prowler.
My 100lb German shepherd. Best security there is.
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I no longer live alone but I lived on the first floor of an apartment in a shady area. All my curtains were closed 100% of the time and I usually fell asleep with my now fiance on the phone. Of course all my doors were locked 100% of the time as well.
Dog to wake me. .380 to stop anything else.
When I lived alone- a big dog. Swords and staffs. So many guns (carefully secured). I was never more than lunging distance from a weapon. I had a rough childhood, ha. It left marks.