I live alone and recently had a scary experience—someone got into my building and waited by my door after being let in by another tenant. I’ve always felt safe in my home, but now I’m second-guessing how prepared I am if someone tries to break in.
I’m looking for advice on how to secure my place without making it inconvenient or unsafe for me or my guests. Any suggestions?
A simple and affordable option is an adjustable door security bar. It adds extra strength to the door if you don’t fully trust the lock. I also know people who keep a baseball bat or golf club nearby, just in case. Thankfully, they’ve never had to use it.
@Akira
If you go the baseball bat route, put an old sock over the end. It’ll still deliver a punch, but if someone tries to grab it, the sock slips off and you keep control of the bat.
Oli said: @Akira
If you go the baseball bat route, put an old sock over the end. It’ll still deliver a punch, but if someone tries to grab it, the sock slips off and you keep control of the bat.
Teo said: @Marlow
Interesting. How does it compare to pepper spray?
Wasp spray can hit targets from farther away and is just as incapacitating. A cop recommended it to me once.
Actually, using wasp spray on a person can get you in serious legal trouble. It’s not designed for self-defense and could cause permanent harm. Pepper gel or bear spray are better options. Pepper gel doesn’t blow back in your face and is safer to use indoors.
@Reign
Good point. Using non-approved sprays like wasp spray could lead to charges if the attacker presses charges or wasn’t actually a threat. Stick to products specifically made for self-defense, like pepper spray or gel. Also, consider a personal alarm—it’s loud enough to scare off attackers and alert neighbors.
I have an adjustable door bar for extra security. It’s portable too, so I take it on trips to use in hotel rooms. For my windows, I use wooden dowels to prevent them from opening more than a few inches.
If you’re not into guns, a personal alarm can be a great deterrent. You pull the tab, and it blares a loud siren that will scare off intruders and alert neighbors. Pepper spray is another option, though you’ll need to be up close for it to work.
For extra precaution, you can leave out dog bowls and toys—even if you don’t have a dog. Sometimes the appearance of a dog is enough to make someone think twice.
I live alone too and study criminology, so I’m extra paranoid about safety. Here’s what I’ve done:
Ring doorbell camera so I always know who’s at the door.
Pepper spray for personal protection.
Signs warning that I’m armed (even if you don’t have a gun, it can still scare people off).
If you’re not into guns, there are still plenty of self-defense tools you can use. And don’t forget to get to know your neighbors—they can be a great extra layer of security.
@Blaze
Shotguns are great for home defense since they’re easier to aim in high-stress situations. Just make sure you’re familiar with local laws if you decide to go this route.
We keep a hatchet with our camping gear, and it doubles as a home defense tool. We also lock the doors even when we’re home and sometimes use a doorstop for extra security. Having a designated weapon and knowing exactly where it is helps in emergencies.
I installed a metal door hinge lock. It’s small and unobtrusive but makes it nearly impossible to force the door open. It’s simple, effective, and doesn’t require major modifications.
I recently got a door lock bar that braces under the knob and adds tension against the floor—it works great. I also have a small alarm that’s so loud it’ll scare off anyone trying to break in. And, of course, I keep a few other tools nearby just in case.