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 also sometimes take coffee with me, in one of those big flask type reusable mugs. That could also make a fair weapon, you could hit someone with it, or throw the hot drink in their face.

Head torch, phone, 2 dogs and Pooh bags.

Fuck all.
I run in the dark, but there are lots of streetlights. I have headphones in and reflective armbands. The kids round here will attack in broad daylight, so if makes no difference really.

I try to remember wear something that's visible/reflective. For all the worry about being a lone female on the streets - being hit by a car in the dark is a bigger issue.

When I’m walking home from being out somewhere I do the key thing. When I’m walking around my neighbourhood at night I take my torch which is needed to see (dark lanes) and is heavy enough to whack someone with to buy me time to run away. I always wear shoes I can run in.

I take my phone but if it’s dark I have it in my pocket so I don’t look distracted/get targeted for my phone. By having it in my pocket if someone came up to me I know I can reach my iPhone to call 999 without looking (press and hold the power and volume up button for 5 seconds then an alarm will blare and 999 will be dialled).

I have a really noisy alarm thing that my mum insists I take with me (even though I'm 43)

I also have echo ear pods connected to my phone so could phone the police without the need to get my phone out

Torch, phone and my dog but I doubt he’d do anything in an emergency. I also recently bought rape alarms which I should carry.

Apart from 2 dogs I have a torch and a small can of hairspray which is much better than deodorant as per pp.

I wear trainers and carry a heavy torch.

I don't expect trouble and am not scared but you never know. A sharp crack on the elbow or knee with a metal torch would hopefully be enough to discourage anyone. And I can run.

Newer iPhones have a built in rape alarm. I think you have change a setting within emergency but when you press both side buttons it emits an alarm then after 5 seconds dials 999.

The have fall detect too, and will auto call 999 with your location if it detects a fall.

Thank you everyone. I have ordered a rape alarm and a bright handheld torch. Will take those, my keys and phone and get out and about!

Dark streets - nothing except the dogs. Dark rural areas at night - a friend and a torch

I live in a safe place though but I’m always on guard. Never have headphones in for example

Have you thought about asking a neighbour with a dog if you can borrow it for your evening walk? If you were my neighbour I would bite your arm off if you offered to walk my dog at night.

I live in a lane with no pavement and limited street lighting. I wear a hat with a built in torch/light, a hi viz vest over my coat, and the dog has a flashing LED collar. I'm far more worried about being visible as the lane is only one car wide in places.

My phone. I use the torch on it as we don't have streetlights.

And my German Shepherd dog.

Two large dogs

Ditto the anti-social GSD!

Torch, because most of my routes are unlit so without it I wouldn’t be able to go. Sometimes head torch if I’m going over stiles, easier. Headphones for music and phone in pocket

My dog and a torch. The torch is a Maglite. It’s not as powerful as some newer torches but it’s very solid.

@EmmaGrundyForPM

Have you thought about asking a neighbour with a dog if you can borrow it for your evening walk? If you were my neighbour I would bite your arm off if you offered to walk my dog at night.

I live in a lane with no pavement and limited street lighting. I wear a hat with a built in torch/light, a hi viz vest over my coat, and the dog has a flashing LED collar. I'm far more worried about being visible as the lane is only one car wide in places.

Actually that's a good suggestion! I have a neighbour down the road with a dog that I know quite well so I could ask.

Two german shepherd dogs and a cat who also enjoys to walk with us late at night

The dog mostly due to the fact he's the only reason I go on walks in the dark.

A long maglite, because it's fucking hard and heavy. No head torches or hats with one sewn in, they aren't reassuring, or painful, enough.

And usually the dog, a bull type, nice and scary in and of himself. Nobody need know he's soft as a brush!

I take my man hating dog. Shes a rescue.