If you’re a senior or live with one and worry about your or their safety, I think it’s a valid concern. Let’s not sugar-coat this; as we get older we become more desirable targets for criminals looking to make a quick buck. The best thing that you can do for yourself or someone elderly around you is to ensure that you or they know how to protect yourselves.
In fact, no one needs to be a professional self-defense expert, learning Karate or MMA to get out of a tricky situation as a senior. You just need to be able to think “on your feet” (or quickly) and know how to use everyday objects around you as a weapon against your attacker. Or at the very least, you need to invest in a self-defense weapon that you can use in an emergency.
11 Best Everyday Self-defense Weapons For Seniors:
11. Bonus: Whatever is in your hand, even if it’s a golf stick!
It certainly looks like anything can serve as a great self-defense weapon for a senior, doesn’t it? That’s the reality. You don’t need access to specific self-defense weapons in order to protect yourself.
Almost anything can serve as a great weapon if you know how to use it and how to react in a dangerous situation.
Read on if you want to delve a little deeper into how to use each of these everyday items as weapons and learn more about the self-defense weapons you can buy.
Top Weapons Seniors Actually Carry Everyday
Seniors are most exposed to danger while out and about at the shops or heading to visit family and friends. While you need to be safety conscious at home, you need to be even more alert and safety conscious while out and about.
Of course, you aren’t going to be carrying a knife or loaded firearm with you on a trip to the grocery store, so how do you protect yourself from potentially dangerous situations?
It’s all about using what’s readily available to you, to your advantage.
What items do you always carry with you, everywhere you go?
Give it some thought.
In the meantime, consider these 10 items below, which can be used quite effectively to get out of a tricky, dangerous situation.
1. Cane/walking stick.
If you use a cane or a walking stick, you actually have a powerful self-defense weapon readily available in your hand.
When approached by an attacker, you can use the cane or walking stick to make blows, strikes, and thrusts at the attacker.
You must hit the attacker where it will hurt most! Make that strike count!
If you are quick on the draw and see the danger early on, you might be able to use the cane to keep the distance between you and the attacker.
2. Pepper spray or deodorant spray.
If you have a can of pepper spray, you’re in luck!
Pepper spray when used on a person will cause them to choke, cough, and have temporary vision loss. It is lightweight, so can be carried in your handbag or in your pocket too.
If you don’t have pepper spray, a deodorant spray can be just as effective!
Aim the spray can towards your attacker’s face, hold your own breath, and spray as much as you can.
3. Taser.
For seniors, a Taser can be a lifesaver!
This is a small, lightweight, handheld device and can be used instantly. The device basically shocks and stuns the attacker, so that they cannot move.
They are battery operated and when activated, can instantly disarm or paralyze the attacker’s body, giving you enough time to escape danger.
Don’t stick around after you have used the device. Get out of the way as quickly as possible!
4. Car keys.
If you’re driving from A to B, make sure that you carry your car keys in your hand with the index finger extended over the biggest key whenever you are walking to and from the vehicle.
Grip the other keys into a fist!
Aim for sensitive areas ie. the eyes, stomach, inner thigh, face or cheeks etc.
Use the key to stab at your attacker to hurt them or get them to get back.
5. Pen.
Most people have a pen in their pocket or handbag, which can be used as an effective self-defense tool. When walking to and from the car, carry the pen in your hand.
Hold the pen between your index finger and middle finger and punch at your attacker.
The pointy side of the pen can be used to stab your attacker. The pain should give you time to escape.
6. A Scarf.
You read that right!
If you are wearing a scarf or have one in your handbag, make sure that you get it in hand quickly.
You can use the scarf to wrap around your attacker’s neck in order to choke him/her.
A few lessons from a Jackie Chan movie will give you some cool scarf & belt tricks!
If you do have a belt, you can also whip it back and forth, hitting the attacker and getting them to recoil enough for you to escape.
7. Umbrella.
An umbrella can be used much like a cane or walking stick when it comes to self-defense.
Use the umbrella to whack and stab your attacker!
Make sure that you aim for sensitive areas or stab aggressively with the umbrella to create some space between you and the attacker.
8. Newspaper.
A tightly rolled-up newspaper can pack quite a punch!
If you are visiting an area that might not be safe, make sure that you walk with the firmly rolled up newspaper tightly gripped into your hand.
If someone should approach you threateningly, lash out and almost stab the attacker with the newspaper.
Aim for sensitive areas like the face, neck, and groin.
9. Handbag.
Nothing says “get back and leave me alone” more than a heavy handbag weight wielded at your head or groin.
No one messes with an old lady and a swinging handbag!
If you are already carrying a handbag, make sure that you can easily swing it off your shoulder and swing it around. Make sure that you have a firm grip on the handles/strap.
10. Groceries.
Seniors on a shopping trip are a prime target for opportunistic criminals.
Criminals might make a grab for your wallet or purse while your hands are held up carrying your groceries. If this is the case, use the heavy objects within the bags to your advantage.
If you have some fruits or solid apples in your packet, that’s gona hurt bad!
Swing the bags around with the intention of impacting your attacker.
Worried that your goods might get damaged? The reality is that you are far more valuable than your groceries.
Top 5 Self-Defense Weapons You Can Buy as a Senior
As a senior, you really can’t take unnecessary chances with your safety. If you would like to ensure your security, you can also buy dedicated weapons for your self-defense. Below are 5 self-defense weapons that seniors can buy:
Tips For Protecting Yourself As a Senior
When protecting yourself as a senior, it all comes down to being aware of your surroundings and alert. A few of the tips below might help you to stay a little safer.
Home Defense As A Senior
Seniors are just as vulnerable in their own homes as they are out on the street. At home, you have a few more everyday items that you can use as a weapon.
For starters, pots and pans can be wielded confidently and pack quite a punch when needed.
Anything with a cable can also be quite useful to trip up or choke the attacker. These could be the lamp cable, computer cable, or nearby extension lead.
Any nearby object with a bit of weight can be used to slam into your attacker and make an escape.
Last Word
Whether you are a senior looking for self-defense tips or if you have a senior in your life who you would like to help protect, looking into everyday items that can help to save a life is an important part of the process.
Take the time to consider the abovementioned everyday items and also consider the dedicated self-defense tools you can buy for yourself or a loved one.
