Living alone and staying safe

[Zoetrope]

I was thinking that before, the difference in gun laws and culture between the U.S. and Aus are pretty stark. No judgement at all either way, it's just interesting to note.

I think I'd be more of a danger to myself than anyone else if I had a gun, so it's probably best that I don't....

Drugs of dependency are kept under lock and key, because they are known to be high-risk. Rightly so. Firearms are also high-risk (takes just one disgruntled college student) ... but are freely available in some places. I don't get it.

I'm much happier living in a place, knowing that people around me are probably *not* packing :~s

[Jill E]

I keep safe by..

1. Whenever I'm walking to my front door or car, I always have my keys out so my entry is as quick as possible. *I also have mace on my key-chain.
2. If I'm the only one home & I'm not expecting company, i don't answer the door. If it's important, they'll probably show up again at a later time or call.
3. At intersections or when my car is stopped, I always have the doors locked & windows up. I don't live in a bad area, but i figure it's good practice.
4. I try to always be aware of who's around me and roughly where, while alone & in public.

[Ferretty]

Drugs of dependency are kept under lock and key, because they are known to be high-risk. Rightly so. Firearms are also high-risk (takes just one disgruntled college student) ... but are freely available in some places. I don't get it.

I'm much happier living in a place, knowing that people around me are probably *not* packing :~s

I don't mean to be rude, but the idea behind having guns being freely available is let the correct people have the guns to stop the people with misused or stolen guns. If guns were allowed on school property for example, though not necessarily for just anyone, preferably the teachers, then perhaps the college students trying to go on killing sprees would be stopped early. Sorry just wanted to give a glimpse of why some people consider gun freedom as a good thing. None of this is meant to be condescending, just wanna throw that out there.

[Zoetrope]

I don't mean to be rude, but the idea behind having guns being freely available is let the correct people have the guns to stop the people with misused or stolen guns.

Not taken wrongly at all, don't worry :~)

But I must also say that I'm an opponent of the 'everyone carry just in case' idea, too.

Imagine having a mall or cinema or other public place, full of people, mass confusion, everybody firing at everything. That's a scenario I never hope to see ... and I really don't think its a solution ...

[jessical]

I have a Dobermann, and she is a good protector.  The problem is that she is everything to me, and the desire is for me to protect her.  I do feel that a good defense is the best solution.  Securing windows and locking doors seems like the most important thing, and not doing that is the most common way people get in.

I have heard that the theft rate for people on the ground floor is actually less, because owners/renters are more careful with windows and doors.  Thieves know this and will often target upper floors, because it is easier and people are less careful.

I do have a peephole, but I am thinking of adding a camera.  That way I could selectively open the door.  I can do that now, but there is enough noise walking to the peephole, that someone would still know if I came to the door.

[Cindy]

There are as we know big differences in he legality and availability of weapons that are either offensive or defensive. Just about anything is banned in Australia (and I think the UK) that fit those categories.

Izzy and Sarah, not sure if you can fit them in your places but I have an external screen door, so after I open my front door I can see who is there through reinforced mesh. This door is also double locked so not easily opened. I also have a monitored burglar alarm and coupled to that is a panic alarm, so even if I cannot get to a phone I just need to hit the panic button to alert the security service who will notify the police and they send their own people.

Might seem over the top but I have been abused and never again.

[Zoetrope]

I don't actually live alone, but I might as well. My housemate would probably curl into a ball and expect me to defend *him*, should anyone intrude.

We have security screens on every window and door which is great. I don't feel terribly unsafe.

Besides that, i really just keep to my standard precautions. I don't go out at night (over it anyway!) ... don't give out my address ... I can read people a mile off, too.

[ReDucks]

When my twin and I were young we learnt martial arts. How to defend myself will never be forgotten. My big brother also taught me to have a weapon by the front door (I have a home made wooden sword) incase someone tries to muscle their way in and I also have nosey neibours so if something happens all I need to do is scream and yell and they come running.
oh and how does a "lay exorcism" work? I might try it!

This!  How weird to meet someone else with a Boken by the front door. 

[Alex2020T]

I had the highest gate that is allowed by law installed to prevent anyone getting round the back of my property (which is oddly where my front door is). I *hope* it's enough to deter any would-be intruders.

[stephaniec]

I'm feel pretty safe where I'm at . I live right across the street from a major university in an apartment building with all students who come and go all  hours. It's right on the main st. of a suburban downtown area. We have the city police and the campus police patrolling 24/7 . I feel safe because students are all over the place and if something happens we have police boxes to report mischievous . When I lived in a different apartment I had a 100 pound Belgium German Shepherd . Then when my buddy passed I move to my present building.

[BunnyBee]

I live on the fourth floor of a building that needs a keycard to get in, so I feel relatviely safe indoors despite living in the city.  If somebody knocks on my door I don't answer, which has happened twice in three years.. It was always somebody knocking on the wrong door.


When I go out, esp at night, that's a different story.  I rarely feel safe unless I have somebody with me or there are lots of people nearby.

[speckyhailey]

It's been said before but learning a martial art is a great way to stay safe. Especially something like Krav Maga which focuses on self-defence and counter attacks.

[Valerie Rose]

...My big brother also taught me to have a weapon by the front door (I have a home made wooden sword) incase someone tries to muscle their way in...

Ha! I too have a wooden sword. I have a Kendo bokken wooden sword, it is a very hard wood which I'm very sure can break bone. I have not tested it yet on a moving target lol

I also live alone but I feel safe. I am on the 5th floor of an apartment in chinatown. My building has cameras which I can check on my TV if someone tries to buzz in. There is also a police station 5 blocks away. But I think in general Canada is LGBT friendly.

[Colleen M]

At the end of the day, I really don't think it's about this weapon or that security system as much as just being aware of your surroundings and having a plan for when something goes wrong.  Find a level you're comfortable with for deadbolts/chains/cameras/bars/weapons/alarms, and know how you'll use it when things go pear-shaped.  Murphy being Murphy, it will go pear-shaped at 3 AM when you're sick and stoned on Nyquil, so don't expect to improvise well.  Something you can do without relying on little muscles like fingers is a bonus due to the "fight or flight" response.  Personally, my plan of action is aimed at making sure that myself, my wife, and my pets are still alive and well when the police show up, and I'm not on Susan's because I wanted to be Rambo.         

[allisonsteph]

I live alone and have never given any thought to my safety other than choosing an area with a relatively low crime rate and following my pre transition safety plan; simple things like making sure the door is locked and looking through the peephole before opening the door. The peephole is so absurdly high in my current apartment it is not of much use. I'm 5'7' and have to stand on my toes to look through it. Thanks to an involuntary hospitalization I am prohibited by law from owning or possessing a firearm for the next four and a half years. If someone does get in it's just me and my wits.

[Rosa]

1.  Have a peep hole on your front door and an intercom so you can see and talk to whoever is knocking.
2.  Have deadbolts on all of your exterior doors.
3.  If you can afford it, get an alarm system that has panic buttons.
4.  Have a safe room where you will go if an intruder does get into your home.  This room should have a secure door and a telephone.
5.  Always ask to see ID of any officials or utility people coming to the door (preferably with your door chain secured.
6.  Dog?  Most bad guys are more afraid of dogs than they are of guns.

When I am walking to the parking lot I try to walk in well lit areas and in the middle of the alley or parking lot.  I can remotely unlock my car and the interior light comes on.  It is good to quickly look into your car to make sure that no one is in it.  Once in your car, lock the doors right away and get on your way - no dawdling.  Sometimes if I felt particularly nervous I have called a friend on the cell and talked with them until I was safe in my car, or home if walking.  After I was raped, I decided to buy a stun gun.  I think it would scare most people away, unless they had a gun.  Above all, stay alert and aware of your surroundings. 

[Newgirl Dani]

I'm guessing this is a city residence type question, but for myself, I feel fortuneate.  I live in the woods, it is always very dark and I am quite comfortable being here.  The intruder would be the one with an uncertain future.   Dani

[big kim]

Always have a bunch of keys handy,a ready made knuckleduster and be prepared to use them.Be prepared to fight dirty fingers in eyes,up nostrils,bite soft tissue,bend fingers back,scratch(great way to get DNA from them)pull ears and hair,kick in the balls,stamp on head,chest etc,kick when they're down.Learn to put your weight behind a punch and punch in a vertical line from the  forehead down,a punch to the front of the throat or Adam's apple while hard to do will take them down,a punch in the solar plexus is a good stopper also.If you can grip the sides of the throat by the windpipe and squeeze at arm's length( a good shake also works when doing this).The pain from a broken or dislocated knee will be a good stopper so kick the knee cap(remember the scene in Roadhouse where Sam Elliott takes out a goon).Better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6

[katrinaw]

 I don't have and never will have a gun here (Aussie) but the rules around guns are something like this, according to people I know that do have... Guns to be locked away with firing mechanism's disabled, ammunition must be kept way from them again in a locked safe or cabinet...

Personally to date, like Sarah I have managed to talk my way out of trouble, in the future, not sure how I would progress... It does concern me slightly as I may well be out on my own at some point this year, unless things go better than I could ever imagine...

L Katy 

[Ms Grace]

I don't have and never will have a gun here (Aussie) but the rules around guns are something like this, according to people I know that do have... Guns to be locked away with firing mechanism's disabled, ammunition must be kept way from them again in a locked safe or cabinet...

When I was a kid I remember my grandfather in the town of Armidale had a shotgun and ammo hanging up in the closet of the room that I used to sleep in!!