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?

When I used to go running I would wear headphones but I had the dog with me so he would alert me to anything dodgy. He's a spooky fucker.

Nothing. I just risk it because I think the chances are minuscule

You could try bone conducting headphones. Runners use them so they are aware of their surroundings and traffic etc. Means you can listen to stuff but still keep your whits about
You.

I fully empathise as i feel like a bit of a prisoner in my own home on the short dark days. I feel Edgy out walking at night. Low crime and peaceful round here. Suburban not rural but very very dark.

A dog and a personal attack alarm. I really do not like the dark, constantly checking around me whilst walking along. I don’t think my dog would do anything, she is a lab and under a year so I don’t think having her with me would be any protection particularly, but she may surprise me. Our dog always wakes so early in the morning that one of us is usually out walking her by 6.15am, she settles better once she has had a walk. Yesterday morning I took her round the development we live in, which is large. You don’t tend to see anyone. Yesterday though I changed my path as a man was walking down the alleyway I was going, which is lit but I backtracked and walked around a different way. He didn’t have a dog with him and four times he ended up right behind me or popping out of between houses, after fifteen minutes of being out he made my nerves so bad I ended up running home absolutely crapping myself. I’m now totally put off walking her in the mornings but equally it’s not fair for my husband to do it every day either. But it’s rattled me massively.

Isn't it sad we have to have this conversation?

Phone. Dog. Light on dog. I walk by main road.

Same dilemma here. Lost our old girl last Christmas. Used to walk with her every night but I’m fearful now, even though we’re in a peaceful area. No idea what the answer is (don’t want another dog).

Confidence from self defence classes

Thanks for helpful suggestions. I don't want to be afraid to walk in the dark and I don't want any worries about it to stop me going out and getting exercise. I don't have a dog but definitely can see how I'd feel more secure having one with me.

The video about holding the keys is really helpful, I've always held them between my knuckles and can't even remember where I learned that. It's depressing that we are having this conversation, yes. I'll also look into bone conducting headphones as I love listening to a podcast as I walk but know I'm not as aware of my surroundings if I have headphones in.

But it's also that worrying about it won't stop it happening if it's going to happen @crazyjinglist totally true, and that's the really shit bit. Even with my dog (also massive and a total wuss ) I know that it's luck of the draw.

@DaisyNGO I love the sound of your jogging-and-singing woman! I think the best bit of self-defence advice I've ever been given was in my days working night shifts in a homeless hostel.

One of my favourite residents told me:

"All you have to do, love, is be the one who's more mental. Bark like a dog, cover yourself in peanut butter and jump up and down like you've got a wasp in your pants and they won't bother with you long"

I can only imagine he's right

Lol, love that @penguin he is probably right

An old school umbrella with a pointy tip, mace (US).

In a study rapists were asked what put them off attacking women and many stated that they would avoid a woman with an umbrella as it could be used in self defence from a distance. Most winter nights walking ddog I carry a small extendable pocket umbrella, after all it’s winter so not totally out of place.

Keys, dim torch, cheap phone in case I need to call 999 (have had to call on behalf of someone whose battery had died before, hence seperate phone I know is charged).

The torch is dim so that I can see my surroundings and maintain night vision. I figure I'm in far less danger of being assaulted than of tripping over something or being hit by a cyclist who wasn't looking. Also less disturbing for the wildlife.

Personal alarm, torch reflective.

I occassionally go running at that time. Mostly I just go with a wearable torch, sometimes keys, sometimes a phone.

@ProudThrilledHappy

In a study rapists were asked what put them off attacking women and many stated that they would avoid a woman with an umbrella as it could be used in self defence from a distance. Most winter nights walking ddog I carry a small extendable pocket umbrella, after all it’s winter so not totally out of place.

I'm somewhat skeptical that an umbrella could be an effective weapon, most of them can't even stand up to doing the job of an umbrella!

I just wear a head torch as there is a large section without street lighting.

You may be right but if convicted rapists call it a deterrent I will keep it!

Dog. I don't bother with a torch because I find letting my eyes adjust to the dark means I can see better all around.

I live in a busy central area. But after dark, I carry 2 personal alarms. One on a lanyard around my neck. Another one on my wrist in a Velcro wrist band. Even when I go out in the day, I always put them in my bag , ready to wear when it gets dark. It might sound a bit extreme, but I've been sexually assaulted before and I never want that to happen to me again. And it's really no inconvenience at all popping my alarms on when the sun sets!

A man :(
Or not go out

@AutumnAnn

I absolutely love walking in the dark at night by myself, have done regularly since my early teenage years, I'll put my headphones in and listen to music, i have my phone torch if needed as there's not a lot of street lighting but that's it, i never see anyone when out, no people, no cars, it's so peaceful

I wouldn’t wear earphones if I were you. I avoid walking alone in the dark, but if I have to then I only keep to streets lined with houses and street lamps. Sometimes I’ll talk to someone on the phone. I usually carry my keys in my hand.

I always grab a handful of pebbles to throw in their eye if I'm attacked. Or if I see one lying about, a brick or a large ish rock.

My medium sized dog, and her big chunky chain link lead (which in itself would make a good weapon).