Feeling nervous

But sunseeker already had the alarm installed, f77ms.

I expect the workman was just making conversation, but it was a bit intrusive!

At one time the police would come and check everywhere over for you and make suggestions about where you could improve security. I'm not sure if they still do that.

Could you get a personal alarm , they make a heck of a noise . I understand how the workman asking you if you live alone would play on your mind , it would bother me too . He was possibly asking because you were having alarms installed or just making conversation and not for any other reason . The suggestion of having an alarm connected to the police station is worth investigating , it would certainly give you peace of mind . Could you speak to the neighbours about how nervous you have become ? if they are nice people they may say they would keep an ear open for you !

I think all the precautions you have taken would put off any potential burglars - I hope so anyway.

They do say that a burglar will look for the easiest house to break into and yours sounds an unlikely choice.

Our house isn't old but it does creak and groan as it settles down at night after the heating goes off.

Someone told me to keep a very large pair of men's shoes by the front door in case I opened the door to someone unknown and wasn't sure about them. You could buy a pair from a charity shop (and use Febreze on them if need be).
Our neighbour has a little notice saying 'No cold callers please'.

Thanks for the reassurances. I think it started when one of the workmen asked me if I lived alone and without thinking I said I did! The burglar alarm has been installed for several years so isn't new. It did go off one night a year or so ago and I was halfway down the stairs, baseball bat over my shoulder when I stopped and asked myself what the hell I was doing! (Turned out a spider had crawled across one of the sensors). I don't go outside to investigate noises, I switch on all the outside lights and peer out the window! I'm afraid getting a dog is not an option, I am not a dog person and I also like to go away quite a lot so it wouldn't be fair on the animal. I know I am being silly but sometimes talking to others about it helps so thank you all!

Did the presence of the workmen in your home while the work was going on make you feel unsettled in some way, sunseeker?

I live alone too, and I really don't like having to have strangers in the house for any length of time. Not helpful, I know, but I sympathise!

sunseeker I think that now you have a burglar alarm you are just waiting anxiously in case it goes off? Because you are so well protected it's unlikely that any intruder could get in at all, so set your mind at rest.A dog is the best alarm of all,and a companion, but not everybody feels they can cope with a dog.
It's because you had all this work done that you are thinking about it so much, just rest assured you have done all you can and get a good nights sleep.

I'm sure someone who knows about theses things will reassure you that statistically its unlikely that you would have an intruder. I was concerned that you said if you heard a noise outside you went to investigate which I don't think is very wise. It sounds as though you have taken lots of preventative measures. Can I ask does your burglar alarm have a panic button by your bed? Ours does wjhich I find reassuring but then again alarms go off all over the place and no-one takes any notice but you can at some cost have them connected to the police station. Have you thought of getting a dog not juts to protect you but for company? I don't think this is about getting older as such but something is clearly worrying you. I shouldn't think you want to move but is it a consideration at some point?