What steps should widows living alone take for protection?

They used to make a device that you hung on the door knob. You switched it on and if an anyone touched the knob outside it would trigger the sound of a large vicious dog barking. I don't know if they are still around.

Motion sensor lights can be very effective.

In the Navy I was taught "never point a gun at someone unless you are going to shoot them, then get them quick before they get you."
 
Blessed,
You have been given good advice in the Posts.
Video Camera's
Motion Activated Lights
Deadbolts
Hardening of Door Frames
Put Window Lock Devices on
Consider putting the Security Film on Windows. We have Zombie Bars on all windows - but they are not cheap.
Adding a Security Storm Door(s) with Dead Bolt.
If possible, you might could harden / reinforce the Bedroom Door or a Closet that you can use as a Safe Room.
Pepper Spray
Baseball Bat
As to a gun, suggest you go a local gun range and ask about training / familiarization for ladies. Here in Texas they often have classes geared towards new lady shooters. You can rent a gun at the Range and the folks there would help you if you explain your situation. That would give you a idea as to whether or not a firearm might be a option for you.
All the best.
Please keep us posted.
 

Where I live almost every one has a weapon, usually used for hunting.

I have a Remington Long Gun. My closest neighbor is a retired state Trouper.

We all look out for each other. If there is an unfamiliar car in my driveway ,often a neighbor who passes by a lot , will call me up to see if I am OK.

Us hill people do NOT like uninvited company. I think it is because we are all so busy, and don't like interruptions. And, if it is a salesman, we never let them in.

Years ago a man most of us knew from the fire department, was stopping at homes to sell fresh vegetables.
He didn't get many sales, if any- in spring /summer, most of us grow fresh vegetables, and one neighbor puts them out on a stand that says FREE!


I think the problem was, however, that the fresh veggies were stacked nicely,
but were inside an old coffin he had put on his truck. :rolleyes:
 
Manatee said:
They used to make a device that you hung on the door knob. You switched it on and if an anyone touched the knob outside it would trigger the sound of a large vicious dog barking. I don't know if they are still around.
Click to expand...
I forgot all about those. Dad bought one that we used on vacation in the hotel rooms when I was a kid. It would set off a siren that would wake the dead.

They still have them for sale on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/SABRE-Door-Handle-Alarm-Vibration-Triggered/dp/B01L3R5LXE
th-2210168306.jpg
It would be economical for a house & may work as an added layer of protection that would go off before a door was forced open which is what has to happen for my door alarm to go off. I'm think I'll get one before I go on vacation for traveling.
 
Blessed said:
I am living alone as a widow. I have three dogs, two small, one a 90lb chow. The big dog looks frightening, has a big booming bark but when push come to shove, I don't know how he would react. He has never shown any aggresion and even backs up to his 12lb sister.

He does bark when anyone comes to the door or is on the property but that does not mean he would go after any danger. I have been thinking I should get at the least pepper spray. At the most I have been thinking of buying gun and going through the proper training to use it in case of emergency. I have been exposed to all of the home invasions that happen now. I do not to want to be put into a position that I can not protect myself. It also comes to the dogs, I do not want them to be hurt in trying to protect me.

I have thought that this might be something I should seek therapy as it is a topic that causes so much turmoil in my life. I freak at every little noise at night. I have to get up at night when the big dog barks. The littles are in bed with me and pay no attention when the big dog barks. To me, that says there is no threat, if there was the littles would also react.

Can you share your thoughts on this subject. Do I need to buy and train how to use a gun?
I do plan on the time that I need to bring another dog into the home to be a dog of a certain size that I will get as a puppy and have him or her trained as a protection dog. I think a properly trained dog is the best bet. They can go anywhere when certified as a companion certified dog. What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...
I recently wrote an article on how to stay safe when living alone. Safety Tips When You Live Alone
 
Other than the intro post, this is my first post here and there are lots of great ideas. Not much about firearms, a hobby of mine, so I will add this.

Until a few years ago, I (a 73 year old woman) wasn't interested in guns; mostly, I was afraid of them and had NO interest in them. An incident with a neighbor spurred me to take a beginner's shooting class and I was absolutely blown away by how much FUN it was!

Shortly thereafter, I hired a personal shooting coach who was a retired LEO; we met two hours/day, twice a week, for four months, training at a local private range. It was fantastic! A few people who knew me were shocked that I was doing this. So was I.

I post this because others, too, may discover they like shooting just as a sport, but as a result, you feel cautiously comfortable handling a gun and it certainly increases feelings of safety in one's home. I did it because it was fun; however, it instilled a confidence in myself that I had never had before. I learned a lot of other things about personal safety besides just shooting.

Know there is a very real responsibility of owning and using a firearm, in addition to consequences. But if you are considering this, I strongly recommend more than just the beginner's class. I also add that it isn't an inexpensive sport; but to me, it was worth every dime.
 
What if the people knocking on your door are good-natured carolers, trying to share the joy of the season? Should they be greeted with a gun?
 
GoodEnuff said:
Other than the intro post, this is my first post here and there are lots of great ideas. Not much about firearms, a hobby of mine, so I will add this.

Until a few years ago, I (a 73 year old woman) wasn't interested in guns; mostly, I was afraid of them and had NO interest in them. An incident with a neighbor spurred me to take a beginner's shooting class and I was absolutely blown away by how much FUN it was!

Shortly thereafter, I hired a personal shooting coach who was a retired LEO; we met two hours/day, twice a week, for four months, training at a local private range. It was fantastic! A few people who knew me were shocked that I was doing this. So was I.

I post this because others, too, may discover they like shooting just as a sport, but as a result, you feel cautiously comfortable handling a gun and it certainly increases feelings of safety in one's home. I did it because it was fun; however, it instilled a confidence in myself that I had never had before. I learned a lot of other things about personal safety besides just shooting.

Know there is a very real responsibility of owning and using a firearm, in addition to consequences. But if you are considering this, I strongly recommend more than just the beginner's class. I also add that it isn't an inexpensive sport; but to me, it was worth every dime.
Click to expand...
There have been many, many, MANY posts about firearms here, mostly contentious and extremely so.

I just scroll on by the arguments pro or con.
 
Sunny said:
What if the people knocking on your door are good-natured carolers, trying to share the joy of the season? Should they be greeted with a gun?
Click to expand...
Only if they're wearing hoodies and masks. 😜

Do carolers knock on your door? We used to just stand out on the sidewalk in front of our friend's houses. Or, if we were new in the neighborhood, we slowly strolled down the street while we sang, and didn't stop anyplace.
 
I am not "pro or con" guns. My post was to say that those who may be considering a firearm for home security may be surprised if they just try it; if they do, please get good training. Because anyone who has had the proper training would never answer the door to carolers with a gun in their hand. And if a group of carolers came here, that would be a very big surprise since "town" is more than five miles away and this is very high elevation with much snow all winter. I live in a small cabin on the side of a mountain in the middle of a forest.

Other than practicing, the only time I have had a firearm in my hands is when I take my little dogs outside at night. In the past year, we have had bears, once bouncing against a window trying to get into the house. And just a few weeks ago, a mountain lion was seen running off with a chicken it had stolen less than 100 yards from my house.

I apologize for posting what seems to be an upsetting or very controversial topic on here. Living in a very rural area does change one's outlook on a lot of things. Perhaps this isn't a place where people like me are welcome.

Best Wishes to all and Merry Christmas!
 
Sunny said:
What if the people knocking on your door are good-natured carolers, trying to share the joy of the season? Should they be greeted with a gun?
Click to expand...
We lived at the outskirts of town. Fence gate was closed. SO is not home. Front door has a door bell.
I come out of the shower and see movement on the front porch out the corner of an eye. It was nothing but grab shotgun, carefully crouch toward the door, crack it open, stick the barrel out and rack it. A Mossberg 12 gage has a very distinct voice. Jehova's Witnesses did a 100 yard in 10 seconds. The other option would have been to open the door dripping in my b-day suit. Doorbell would have meant a good meal for them. You DO NOT open a gate for the sake of opening it and disregard a no trespassing sign.
Neighbors came by on 4-wheelers, rang the door bell and I opened with my buddy in my hand. They laughed and asked if I want to spend the night at someone's house as two convicted murderers were seen close by. No, thank you I am fine.
 
GoodEnuff said:
I apologize for posting what seems to be an upsetting or very controversial topic on here. Living in a very rural area does change one's outlook on a lot of things. Perhaps this isn't a place where people like me are welcome.

Best Wishes to all and Merry Christmas!
Click to expand...
There's not many subjects left that dont create some controversy, you shouldn't worry one second about posting what's of interest to you.

Personally I enjoyed your shooting story. My son is married to a girl from Germany and she was raised fearing guns....until she shot one. She took instruction on gun safety and handling and then my son took her shooting and she loved it, and turned out to be a great shot.
 
Blessed said:
@Murrmurr so funny you should bring that up. I called my son tonight to remind him to make sure he put faucet covers on with our upcoming cold front. If you wait to long you can't find those covers at the hardware stores.

He says funny you called, Bob, my next neighdoor neighbor called him to remind him to come over and cover your Mom's faucets. I also saw my across the street over taking care of her outdoor water sources. She is also a widow. I had bought extra covers about a month ago just in case the neighbors got caught short.

It is wonderful to know that you have neighbors keeping an eye on each other. We try not to be overbearing but we want to make sure everyone is taken care of.

Do you think my Bear could learn at this age. He is about 6 at this stage. He was not mine as a puppy but belonged to my best friend that died at the beginning of Covid. To be honest, it is hard enough to get him to the vet. He is so strong on the leash. He is very good in the car, but I have to leave him in the car and the vet personel to come get him out of the car and into the office. He is just the sweetest best boy but gets so excited out of the house I can't hold on to him.
Click to expand...
I suspect that even your smallest dogs would protect you if there was the need. The big dog could scare the robber to death. The mildest mannered dog can turn into the scariest creature ever when his/her family is threatened. I know that for a fact. Having been protected by a wonderful dog.
 
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You sound like me as I use guns for protection as my dog(s) passed a while back, and I was raised hunting and on a farm part of my life and on farms and ranches guns are just very normal for various uses.

I think alarm systems are 1) too complex and expensive; has to be installed and maintained; 2) just seeing someone creeping around the outside of MY home sets my heart racing, and I've had to call the police before, and that is worthless; not offense to the police, but they have work loads and priorities and you or I may not be the #1 priority over that four care pileup and they won't get to you for 45 minutes! 3) A camera/alarm setup is JUST warning, NOT protection - even if it does call the police for you, what is the priority order of their calls that busy Friday night at 11pm.

I don't want to scare anyone but: my grandmother was raped in her home, after grandpa died. She was 81. She was half deaf, wasn't wearing her hearing aides and didn't hear him come in the back window. After that, she owned a doberman guard dog my Dad bought and trained for her.

Burglars are 98% men, rapists are 100% men to my knowledge. There is only THREE things they are there in your space for: something they can steal and sell; looking for drugs; a sadistic rapist looking for a victim - they do not care your age.

You do not know why they are there, so assume it is rape, when alone in your home; you need to THINK that, it will make you more brave at the moment and keep you safe in court.

I always think I must shoot to take out the threat of physical rape; it is personal; and it gives me determination.

As for me, IF my DH died, and I was then living alone, I would keep my gun bedside which I already have, AND train myself a good guard dog or have someone train (him) for you. Male dogs (such as golden retrievers, doberman, German Shepperd, Malanois, Vizulas are are uber protective of women who love them and they feed off your emotions and seem to know exactly what you are thinking. I love training dogs, as my father did.

My DH is a firearms instructor and has many young women as well as much older women in his classes on a steady basis these days.
I often help him at the range and ladies sometimes relate to me more than him on the range when I help them with the fear of the gun "just going off" on them. I teach them that it isn't just going to go off...you do have control of it once you learn to love shooting. It gives you a sense you CAN handle a nasty situation, it gives you "muscle" power equal to a man or even better, to protect YOU or loved ones.

Loved ones: ALWAYS, if children are near, have the gun in a locked finger ID bedside case. Your fingers know the keys, to code in a code; the kids don't figure it out.

The only other thing I recommend is that you use a REVOLVER and not a semi-auto with a magazine clip, like a 1911.
This is because as both men and women age, our hands weaken for whatever reasons. A revolver is just a trigger pull, and so MUCH simpler to load, etc and think about in an emergency situation.

You just pull the trigger; in an auto there is at least ONE step before you can get the trigger to work (take off the safety - which isn't easy on a woman's older hands on many semi- auto guns).

Another thing that rarely happens with a revolver is they don't jam easily. Semi-autos do at times jam and a woman's hands and a novice has to remember several steps before you can figure out and UNJAM a semi-auto before then be able to do the most important steps: aim well and pull the trigger You don't want a jam in a shoot to protect situation.

Agree with someone else on here that when you get the gun: use it at least once a week or every other week until you feel comfortable. It can be less dangerous than using a car when you get used to it and know the gun.

It takes more time to feel comfortable behind a gun due to: hysteria stories from the "we need more laws" groups.

IMO: We need more accurate knowledge and less hysteria + less violent video games twisting half formed male brains.


Sunny said:
What if the people knocking on your door are good-natured carolers, trying to share the joy of the season? Should they be greeted with a gun?
Click to expand...
Depends if they are singing off key.
 
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Twostep said:
We lived at the outskirts of town. Fence gate was closed. SO is not home. Front door has a door bell.
I come out of the shower and see movement on the front porch out the corner of an eye. It was nothing but grab shotgun, carefully crouch toward the door, crack it open, stick the barrel out and rack it. A Mossberg 12 gage has a very distinct voice. Jehova's Witnesses did a 100 yard in 10 seconds. The other option would have been to open the door dripping in my b-day suit. Doorbell would have meant a good meal for them. You DO NOT open a gate for the sake of opening it and disregard a no trespassing sign.
Neighbors came by on 4-wheelers, rang the door bell and I opened with my buddy in my hand. They laughed and asked if I want to spend the night at someone's house as two convicted murderers were seen close by. No, thank you I am fine.
Click to expand...
A shotgun would be my #1 choice if I were not worried about kiddos about. A shot gun covers the entire area of a doorway and the closer you are, the more lethal they are, so aware intruders, et al tend to run like hell and get away from the blast area!
 
C50 said:
There's not many subjects left that dont create some controversy, you shouldn't worry one second about posting what's of interest to you.

Personally I enjoyed your shooting story. My son is married to a girl from Germany and she was raised fearing guns....until she shot one. She took instruction on gun safety and handling and then my son took her shooting and she loved it, and turned out to be a great shot.
Click to expand...
Owning guns over there, not to mention ammo is such a hassle. It takes the fun out of some sports.
 
I never give home security a second thought.

In the daytime I am often found sitting with my back to a large window. The vertical blinds are open and I can see what is moving outside the house in the reflection of a painting directly in front of me.

I see cars drive past and I also see if someone is approaching the front door. Almost invariably they are people delivering online ordered parcels. Sometimes they are real estate people offering me a valuation.

When I open the front door there is nothing between me and the person at the door, but I have never felt threatened by anyone. As a matter of law, anyone can come to the front door of a property but if they wander about on your land then they are trespassing. If you have a sign on the front fence that says "Do not enter" that is another matter. I have no front fence.

At night the front door is closed and locked but the back door in unlocked when anyone is sleeping in the backyard sleep out. The only toilet/bathroom is inside the house.

I figure that if anyone should break into my house I would probably just sit in my usual chair and tell them, "Go for your life, but there are few valuables among my trinkets and most of the electronics are older than Methuselah".

I find it sad that people fear for their lives in their own homes. 😢
 
Warrigal said:
I find it sad that people fear for their lives in their own homes. 😢
Click to expand...
We didn't used to, 50 years ago in many states. Used to go to bed without locking doors, the dog would let you know.
These days between illegal immigrant thieves and drug addicts, and no mental institutionalization any more, I do lock my doors.
The boundaries of right and wrong seem to be disappearing in the US.
It used to be to the majority: "If you see a child's bike, or any possession that isn't yours, don't touch it, leave it be".
Now it seems there are far too many who think: "If no one sees me take (whatever) and I don't get caught, who does it hurt?".

One big thing the last 4 years was prosecutors/mayors/governors in some states having too much leeway, manipulating laws, and making pronouncements they won't enforce this or that crime. We need to enforce ALL laws and crimes; not pick and choose depending on one's political fancy.

You needn't worry much about being shot in America if you are white, blacks shoot other blacks all the time and it is really sad; they have no regard for anyone who gets in the middle of the shooting!
 
Hubby and I took a self drive holiday through a number of western states during the second Reagan administration, It was after the attempt on his life where he was shot.

We stayed mostly in cheap family motels and interacted with people on the road. Everyone was lovely to us. One fear we had was of driving on the wrong side of the road after turning a corner. As navigator I would make sure to say BIG left turn or SMALL right turn. Another fear was of being booked for speeding. Due to the oil crisis at that time there was a speed limit on all roads of (I think) 50mph. Even the back roads in US were so good that they seemed like highways to us. We tended to not notice that our driving speed was creeping up. We heard that roads were being policed from small planes and were fearful of getting a speeding ticket.

We also spent three days in New York city and expected to feel less safe there, but no. Again, everyone was helpful, especially the police. The subway was uneventful and I preferred it to taking a taxi. The roads though were especially terrifying. Even when crossing the street at the lights seemed to be a death-defying experience. On a par with Cairo. :rolleyes:

All of that was, of course, pre Sandy Hook. If I were an American, I would be weeping for these more modern times where children murder other children with firearms. I would be screaming out for action to stop the carnage.
 
GoodEnuff said:
Other than the intro post, this is my first post here and there are lots of great ideas. Not much about firearms, a hobby of mine, so I will add this.

Until a few years ago, I (a 73 year old woman) wasn't interested in guns; mostly, I was afraid of them and had NO interest in them. An incident with a neighbor spurred me to take a beginner's shooting class and I was absolutely blown away by how much FUN it was!

Shortly thereafter, I hired a personal shooting coach who was a retired LEO; we met two hours/day, twice a week, for four months, training at a local private range. It was fantastic! A few people who knew me were shocked that I was doing this. So was I.

I post this because others, too, may discover they like shooting just as a sport, but as a result, you feel cautiously comfortable handling a gun and it certainly increases feelings of safety in one's home. I did it because it was fun; however, it instilled a confidence in myself that I had never had before. I learned a lot of other things about personal safety besides just shooting.

Know there is a very real responsibility of owning and using a firearm, in addition to consequences. But if you are considering this, I strongly recommend more than just the beginner's class. I also add that it isn't an inexpensive sport; but to me, it was worth every dime.
Click to expand...

I live alone in the middle of nowhere and there is no way I would be here if I did not have a gun. Congratulations on taking the steps necessary to make yourself a safe, responsible gun owner.
 
CooCooforCoCoPuffs said:
You sound like me as I use guns for protection as my dog(s) passed a while back, and I was raised hunting and on a farm part of my life and on farms and ranches guns are just very normal for various uses.

I think alarm systems are 1) too complex and expensive; has to be installed and maintained; 2) just seeing someone creeping around the outside of MY home sets my heart racing, and I've had to call the police before, and that is worthless; not offense to the police, but they have work loads and priorities and you or I may not be the #1 priority over that four care pileup and they won't get to you for 45 minutes! 3) A camera/alarm setup is JUST warning, NOT protection - even if it does call the police for you, what is the priority order of their calls that busy Friday night at 11pm.

I don't want to scare anyone but: my grandmother was raped in her home, after grandpa died. She was 81. She was half deaf, wasn't wearing her hearing aides and didn't hear him come in the back window. After that, she owned a doberman guard dog my Dad bought and trained for her.

Burglars are 98% men, rapists are 100% men to my knowledge. There is only THREE things they are there in your space for: something they can steal and sell; looking for drugs; a sadistic rapist looking for a victim - they do not care your age.

You do not know why they are there, so assume it is rape, when alone in your home; you need to THINK that, it will make you more brave at the moment and keep you safe in court.

I always think I must shoot to take out the threat of physical rape; it is personal; and it gives me determination.

As for me, IF my DH died, and I was then living alone, I would keep my gun bedside which I already have, AND train myself a good guard dog or have someone train (him) for you. Male dogs (such as golden retrievers, doberman, German Shepperd, Malanois, Vizulas are are uber protective of women who love them and they feed off your emotions and seem to know exactly what you are thinking. I love training dogs, as my father did.

My DH is a firearms instructor and has many young women as well as much older women in his classes on a steady basis these days.
I often help him at the range and ladies sometimes relate to me more than him on the range when I help them with the fear of the gun "just going off" on them. I teach them that it isn't just going to go off...you do have control of it once you learn to love shooting. It gives you a sense you CAN handle a nasty situation, it gives you "muscle" power equal to a man or even better, to protect YOU or loved ones.

Loved ones: ALWAYS, if children are near, have the gun in a locked finger ID bedside case. Your fingers know the keys, to code in a code; the kids don't figure it out.

The only other thing I recommend is that you use a REVOLVER and not a semi-auto with a magazine clip, like a 1911.
This is because as both men and women age, our hands weaken for whatever reasons. A revolver is just a trigger pull, and so MUCH simpler to load, etc and think about in an emergency situation.

You just pull the trigger; in an auto there is at least ONE step before you can get the trigger to work (take off the safety - which isn't easy on a woman's older hands on many semi- auto guns).

Another thing that rarely happens with a revolver is they don't jam easily. Semi-autos do at times jam and a woman's hands and a novice has to remember several steps before you can figure out and UNJAM a semi-auto before then be able to do the most important steps: aim well and pull the trigger You don't want a jam in a shoot to protect situation.

Agree with someone else on here that when you get the gun: use it at least once a week or every other week until you feel comfortable. It can be less dangerous than using a car when you get used to it and know the gun.

It takes more time to feel comfortable behind a gun due to: hysteria stories from the "we need more laws" groups.

IMO: We need more accurate knowledge and less hysteria + less violent video games twisting half formed male brains.



Depends if they are singing off key.
Click to expand...
I am not at a computer to cut my copy down.
One of my training dares was taking out an aggressor with a pistol. Just like be would me. Grab the cylinder.
Please review historic crime records.
 

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