Do you have a weapon ready in case of burglars and is it a good idea?

I certainly haven't got one! I think DH would probably grab something if he thought someone was trying to break in, but all the weapon-like things we have are all downstairs...food for thought!

Yes DH does, and yes I think its a bad idea... Never had call for it in 20 odd years but he can't break the habit of something behind the wardrobe door when he's asleep. I have no doubt he'd use it if we were threatened.

Think the best thing to do is have a mobile phone next to the bed at night [says I who leaves mine downstairs in my bag]. My son came home in the early hours of this morning, picked up his keys from the bedroom next to mine and left. I woke up when I heard his car door slam. I always thought I would wake up if someone was in the house so I'm surprised [and rather worried] that I didn't [and neither did the dog ]. By the way, whats that phone number that you dial in an emergency that finds your exact location? A milkman friend of mine [that sounds bad ] said most untoward things happened at 3 or 4 o'clock. I suppose people are in a really deep sleep by then.

I have a baseball bat which I keep under the bed! I think I would only use it if I thought I was in danger - not just to stop someone taking something. Of course they would have to get into the house first - I have an alarm, locks on all the windows and all the outside doors are double locked when I go to bed, plus I have security lights around the outside of the house.

This may seem a bit over the top but I live in a rural area and I would rather stop anyone getting in rather than have to protect myself.

We were burgled while we were asleep in bed. They didn't come upstairs.

We have two Jack Russell terriers. One of them sleeps in our room. They would bark their heads off if someone came down the drive let alone tried to break in. We don't have a blunt instrument in the bedroom anymore since DH lost his peripheral vision and he'd probably clunk me over the head instead.
I have my mobile handy as I am the lighter sleeper.
We live in a bungalow and have bolts on doors than can be accessed via a window, e.g. the dining room and study. That way if anyone breaks in we would have them contained while we phone the police.
The only problem with barking dogs is they make such a racket you can't hear what's going on.
If you have security lights outside and you think someone is out there, don't turn on any lights indoors. That way, you can see them but they can't see you.
I'm not paranoid but we live in a very isolated property so we have to take care.

Yes! ME!
Apparently, I'm FORMIDABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So! GNHQ. WHERE'S THE CRESCENT MOON?

jeni, I'm sure they meant you were formidable in the French way...

It is a bad idea to have anything such as a knife that a burglar could use against you, and he is likely to be stronger than you.

The police used to advise not to put locks on inner doors, as most burglars will just smash them down.

I don't know if they still use that advice.

Absolutely not! I can't imagine being able to use a weapon effectively. My only experience of burglary happened on holiday in a tiny, out of the way village on Crete. My purse and both our phones were stolen from the living room whilst we slept in the next room. Didn't hear a thing.

we were burgled whilst we slept (they even put milk down for the noisy cat that we had at that time)!! we didn't here a thing ...¬

Of course I'd use anything to hand. I have a good selection of soft toys to throw at them, various sprays (deodorant, perfumes) and if all else fails there's MrDogs smelly socks. He of course would sleep through it all as he takes his hearing aid out at night. . They'd never make it upstairs anywy....as there's are child gates, one at the bottom and one at the top of the stairs.

My defence would be to play dead. Being a wimp (and a pleb) I can't think of a weapon that couldn't be turned against me.

greatnan I used to keep knives on a magnetic holder on the wall until a friend pointed out the obvious risk. They are now kept in a drawer. Any burglar would have to work out which drawer.
Ella Burglars may well smash through a locked internal door but as we are in a bungalow we would be climbing out of the bedroom window while they are doing it. We were advised to plant a pyracantha under the window so we'd have to climb over that we well.

as well, I mean

Have good strong doors and lockable double glazed windows. Can't think of any weapon that would do any good, so have my mobile and a house phone by the bed.

Is this the spirit that made The Empire Great? That fought and died for our wee bit hill and glen? That manned (?) the fields in time of war and knitted socks for our brave soldiers. The nation that invented The Woman's Institute, the Christmas Pudding and Peter Rabbit?

Play dead? sleep though it? Keep a mobile handy? (the battery would doubtless be out of charge or 'you are held in a queue, we value your call, all our police officers are currently engaged, please call back at a more convenient time').

I think not.

Point of information, Nanadog - the WI was started in Canada!

OK I get your point. I shall sleep with a can of hairspray under the pillow.

You are joking anno aren't you? About the WI? Well fancy that.

Hairspray is for wimps. Try a can of lighter fuel instead.

I honestly think you would be better off losing a few valuables rather than getting you head bashed in. Its just not worth it, and with that nice thought at 23:45hrs I will go to bed and try to sleep. Goodnight ladies!

That child gate idea is a good one except the only one I've got is to keep the dog in the kitchen . Sleeping downstairs tonight with the telly on....

Oh, whoops, crimson I didn't mean to alarm anyone!