Widows & Widowers Support Group
This community is dedicated to those who have lost a husband, wife, or partner. Anything is open for discussion here, with the hope that we can focus on grief, bereavement, life after loss, and continuing on after a great loss.
We women were so dependent on our hubbies for so many things. As long as he was with us, everything was going to be OK. Flat tire, no problem. Noise in the night, no problem, somebody looking at us weird in a public place, driving at night, etc. No problem.
Now we are alone and we know the world is a very dangerous place for a woman alone. Since I love camping, and just bought a used camper so I can go on with my favorite hobby, I have thought of things I can do to stay safer.
When I set up my camper (this was way back when I was single before I met Joe), I would always put at least 2 lawn chairs out under the awning. Back in the days when they would let you run a clothes line from one tree to another to dry your wet things, I would hang a very large pair of men's pants on the line. There would be a very big pair of boots by the door. A radio inside the camper or tent, turned low on a talk show would be a good idea, too. Talking out loud to myself would make it appear I was talking to someone inside the camper.
This post is to ask all of you what steps you have taken to better secure your safety since you are alone now? I mean at home, traveling, shopping, anywhere you might more easily be attacked if the attacker thought you were alone.
Now we are alone and we know the world is a very dangerous place for a woman alone. Since I love camping, and just bought a used camper so I can go on with my favorite hobby, I have thought of things I can do to stay safer.
When I set up my camper (this was way back when I was single before I met Joe), I would always put at least 2 lawn chairs out under the awning. Back in the days when they would let you run a clothes line from one tree to another to dry your wet things, I would hang a very large pair of men's pants on the line. There would be a very big pair of boots by the door. A radio inside the camper or tent, turned low on a talk show would be a good idea, too. Talking out loud to myself would make it appear I was talking to someone inside the camper.
This post is to ask all of you what steps you have taken to better secure your safety since you are alone now? I mean at home, traveling, shopping, anywhere you might more easily be attacked if the attacker thought you were alone.
Best thing to do is camp close to a couple of other campers that are man/wife couples....be a good judge of people size them up first of course....A can of wasp spray that sprays way out keep it handy...
And not for wasps
I'm lucky. My son-in-law comes over often. He stands outside on the porch sometimes. I think he does it so people know I'm not alone.
Seriously though, I do have a pistol, so if I ever start to worry about these things I have a start for proper preparations.
Maggie
My mom was a smart lady. We didn't have a gun or any other means of protecting ourselves, so she shouted out, "You better get away from that door or your Mama's gonna cry tomorrow."
The guy took off. Guess he figured that anyone said something like that surely had to have a gun. I don't think Mom would have felt vulnerable at all if she were in my shoes.
I too will not be going camping anytime soon, I did enjoy camping and even rock climbing. Just can not work up the interest any more. I have also lost a lot of muscle needed for rock climbing.
I have let it be known in the neighborhood that I do have a gun. I have not had any trouble.
Really there are some very nice people here.
Check your local police/sheriff's websites for crime stats on your favorite shopping places.
Pepper spray is good, but you may not have a chance to get it out and use it. Prevention is key. I knew a young lady, pretty and petite, who always carried pepper spray with her. She was nearly carjacked in a Target parking lot. She managed to fight off the attacker and make enough noise to attract help, but she never had a chance to go for the pepper spray. Same would have applied if she were carrying a gun in her handbag. Needless to say, I don't shop there anymore....
I changed where I shop. Any place with a high crime rate, I don't go to alone. I park closer to the entrances now.