To ask what you take with you if walking in the dark?

[FireworkParrot]

I've recently started going on a walk in the evenings to try to get some more exercise and just for a bit of peace and quiet. With work and the children I can only go once they're in bed and DH is home. So not late but I'm probably heading out at 8pm, always back by 9pm.

The only thing is it's dark and even though I live in a decent area and it's not late (mainly walking round the estate I live on) I feel uneasy about walking by myself in the dark. I absolutely hate feeling that way and wondered if carrying a torch/rape alarm or anything else would help. Or perhaps I'm being really silly and don't need to worry, the younger me that used to walk back from nights out alone at 2am would have thought so!

I'm curious to know what others in the same situation do or would do?

I walk like you do. So does DH. I listen to podcasts but not with headphones, I put my phone down my bra so I can hear it and hear other things around me. I’m also very conscious about driveways I might hide in/doors I might knock at if I felt threatened. Round here the more likely risk is hooligans on mopeds and motorbikes.

Phone. That's all. I carry my keys in my hand as something to stab with but who knows how helpful they'd be if attacked from behind.

Torch, phone and grappling hook.

I just take my phone.

A large dog.

I carry a personal alarm - one of the ones that lets out a piercing sound when the string is pulled. I figure it is more likely I would be injured than attacked but it might be good for getting help either way. Would also be good if a dog or wild animal comes at me.

Dogs. But otherwise just my phone. I live in a fairly quiet area.

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That might help. I also keep my phone in my hand and don’t put my headphones in.

I often walk alone that time in the evening, would only take my phone. Maybe a small torch. Probably no headphones though just in case.

I wear a head torch and enough reflective kit to be seen.

I have a Find My Friends app thing. So DH can see exactly where I am. If something happened… etc etc.

Could you team up with a friend or neighbour if you're still nervous? I doubt you're the only one restricted during daylight hours.

I take my dog, she has a flashing collar.

My dog, a head torch (no streetlights), high vis (no pavements) and my phone. A rape alarm would be pointless around here as there’s miles of nothing!

My dog and a can of spray deodorant.

It's not pepper spray but someone might think it is at first and I don't think it'd feel very nice in the eyes

@Shebangshebong

Phone. That's all. I carry my keys in my hand as something to stab with but who knows how helpful they'd be if attacked from behind.

Can I suggest you make up a set of old keys to carry, keep your door keys somewhere safe , if you were startled and dropped and lost your door keys it would be a pain, if you dropped your “old “ keys it wouldn’t matter.

My phone, but I rarely walk in the dark anymore. I will go out after dark, but not my usual walks as they include stretches where there are no houses and makes me feel less safe.

I was attacked once. Someone came to my aid so nothing really happened, but I realised that if attacked you have no chance to escape as men are so much stronger than you.

My phone and the dog.

Rottie😀

My phone and the dog.

If going down the singular unlit footpath a torch. Otherwise nothing as all streets are fairly busy that time and have streetlights.

My DP gave me his heavy duty builders torch which is almost like a cosh, I use that if walking late in the dark. Very safe and well lit here but I wouldn’t stray on to the dark trails.

Dogs or just my phone. Live in a crappy area but never felt unsafe 🤷🏻‍♀️

I live in a very safe area now so I only take my phone out with me for shorter evening walks after dark but when I was younger I carried an alarm and a small can of hairspray up my sleeve.

My mum always told me to walk down the middle of the road if it was safe to do so but either way I should try to stay as far away from hedges and dark driveways or anywhere someone could hide to give you a chance of hearing someone approaching you. More recently I've seen self defence "experts" recommend a very bright tactical torch to dazzle someone with so you have chance to run.

Torch (no much lighting around) and phone, which is always with me.