topic Re: Saved By the Whistle in Community Chat

Saved By the Whistle

Frosted Cake — Mon, 02 May 2016 01:53:17 GMT

Some of you nice folks might remember that I had an issue in my neighborhood where a convicted s*x offender moved into the area and many of us women who walk alone were very concerned.

It was suggested to get mace, etc. Well, a few of us women got together and went out and bought police type whistles to carry with us when we walk in case we need to scare off someone and/or get attention.

So far, and very thankfully, I haven't had to use it for that purpose. But, I also have to deal with people in my area backing out of garages, carports, etc. without looking. I've had to run for my life on occasion because they just speed out of driveways without even looking behind them.

Well, I just returned from my walk and it happened. A guy pulled out unaware and I used my whistle to get his attention and he stopped immediately. Wow, that was empowering! I'm sure he didn't expect that. It's a loud whistle too. We asked our local police dept if we could use it and they said it was a great idea, no threat to anyone, just a good source of noise to attract attention.

I have mine on a little clip I used at work that has a pully that I used to use to have my badge reach the security door opener at my work. Now, I have use it to bring the whistle to my lips to protect myself.

Thanks to all of you who were concerned and offered the tips. It's a good idea for anyone out there and it's cheap!

Be safe!!

Re: Saved By the Whistle

Nancy Drew — Mon, 02 May 2016 01:56:44 GMT

Good job! Such a simple but effective tool.

Re: Saved By the Whistle

Kachina624 — Mon, 02 May 2016 02:00:30 GMT

Thanks for the good idea. I wonder if some of the people who appear to not be looking might have those new-fangled back-up cameras? Could you be out of their range?

Re: Saved By the Whistle

SeaMaiden — Mon, 02 May 2016 02:08:56 GMT

I carry a spray that is like mace when I walk that I clip on my belt. I bought it to ward off dogs.....and have used it twice and it saved me from a confrontation. I would not hesitate to use it on a man if I felt threatened. I think this spray would work better than a whistle. Having Both might be even a better idea.

Re: Saved By the Whistle

MaggieMack — Mon, 02 May 2016 02:17:27 GMT

I live in fear of hitting someone when I back out of my garage, so I try to be extra careful. I wish more people would! Good for you @Frosted Cake!

My sister lives in northern WI. I brought my golden there for a visit and my sister and I brought our dogs on a walk around their lake. All of a sudden, there was a bear in front of us, a hundred yards or so. We turned right around and headed back, I was thankful my golden hadn't seen the bear or it would have been chaos. I made her promise to buy some bear spray before she did any more walks. She did, and carries it every time. No more bears since, lol! I've heard that bear spray is the best defense you can have against humans, too. Just not those backing out of their driveways!

Re: Saved By the Whistle

Frosted Cake — Mon, 02 May 2016 03:19:57 GMT

Wow, we all go through different things depending on where we live.

A bear! My goodness. I've seen large rats on my walks and skunks, but never a bear! How scary that would be.

Mace is a good idea too for walks. I'm always afraid I'll do it wrong and end up spraying myself in the face. I took a self defense course many years ago and still remember the moves. I'm "still" in good shape, so hopefully I could still fight back.

I don't know about drivers and fancy back-up cameras. If they do have them, they still need to turn their heads as far as I'm concerned. What if a child or an older adult weren't as alert or as quick as I am to get out of the way? I so worry about elderly people in my neighborhood on walkers or canes. I'm a huge advocate for older adults and always make sure they are kept safe.

I just think people don't pay attention anymore at all. They are on their phones all the time and there's no thought anymore it seems. Once in the car, it seems driving is the last thing they have on their minds.

Re: Saved By the Whistle

Desertdi — Mon, 02 May 2016 06:15:57 GMT

I have no idea WHO picked out my house number as the schoolbus stop in my subdivision..............but I wish they'd change it.

Re: Saved By the Whistle

Kachina624 — Mon, 02 May 2016 07:01:49 GMT

@MaggieMack Your experience is the reason the Forest Service recommends you have your dog on a leash when walking in areas that have wildlife. It's not just bears that might endanger your pet but also rattlesnakes, skunks, porcupines, mountain lions, and coyotes to name a few. Dogs will antagonize other animals and make a confrontation worse.

Re: Saved By the Whistle

ladyroxanne — Mon, 02 May 2016 07:06:32 GMT

raises hand in extremely embarrassed guilt. will try to immediately. so sorry.

Re: Saved By the Whistle

Lilysmom — Mon, 02 May 2016 09:40:44 GMT

@MaggieMack wrote:
I live in fear of hitting someone when I back out of my garage, so I try to be extra careful. I wish more people would! Good for you @Frosted Cake!

My sister lives in northern WI. I brought my golden there for a visit and my sister and I brought our dogs on a walk around their lake. All of a sudden, there was a bear in front of us, a hundred yards or so. We turned right around and headed back, I was thankful my golden hadn't seen the bear or it would have been chaos. I made her promise to buy some bear spray before she did any more walks. She did, and carries it every time. No more bears since, lol! I've heard that bear spray is the best defense you can have against humans, too. Just not those backing out of their driveways!

I have mace as well. There is an issue though if there is any wind. It can blow back on you. I now carry a small air horn. I have come across a bear but the big issue here is coyotes. You can buy the air horn at Cabelas. Small enough to carry in your pocket. LM

Re: Saved By the Whistle

jubilant — Mon, 02 May 2016 10:15:28 GMT

Great story. Great idea. This could help a lot of women!

Re: Saved By the Whistle

drizzellla — Mon, 02 May 2016 10:37:31 GMT

That is why I back into my driveway. When I leave in the morning, the kids are walking up the street to the school bus stop. Just for my piece of mind I would rather back into the driveway and not worry.

That is the reason I always get a shopping cart when I go to Costso. More often than not someone is backing up and either not looking or thinking since they are in a hurry everyone should wait for them. And I would say 1/3 of the people just leave the cart wherever they want so it is no trouble getting a cart. Lots of time you have to move a cart to park so you have a cart as soon as you start to walk toward the store.

Re: Saved By the Whistle

MaggieMack — Mon, 02 May 2016 10:53:43 GMT

@Kachina624, you can rest assured that whenever my pups are outside with me, they are on a leash, even in the deep, dark forest. I always want to be in relative control.

Re: Saved By the Whistle

RedTop — Mon, 02 May 2016 15:47:29 GMT

When my oldest daughter was in college, she did a lot of backpacking thru The Smokey Mountains of TN with 2 friends. They would be out on the trails for 5-10 days at a time, depending on the length of their break. Wildlife encounters of some sort, were a given pretty much every day. All of them carried a police whistle, bear spray, and a pistol.

Re: Saved By the Whistle

dooBdoo — Mon, 02 May 2016 18:22:45 GMT

Thanks for sharing thhe suggestion about the police whistle, @Frosted Cake! That's very thoughtful of you. I think I'll look into getting one.

Re: Saved By the Whistle

MaRina — Mon, 02 May 2016 18:28:44 GMT

Fantastic Idea!

Is a police whistle a lot louder than a sport one that coaches use?

Re: Saved By the Whistle

Frosted Cake — Mon, 02 May 2016 18:44:45 GMT

@dooBdoo wrote:

Thanks for sharing thhe suggestion about the police whistle, @Frosted Cake! That's very thoughtful of you. I think I'll look into getting one.

You're so welcome. I got mine at ******'s sporting goods. It was very inexpensive.

How funny. It won't spell out the name of the store. It begins with a D and ends with a KS. Never thought I'd see the day if I wrote about D***k & Jane books they would be censored here.

Re: Saved By the Whistle

Frosted Cake — Mon, 02 May 2016 18:48:20 GMT

@MaRina wrote:
Fantastic Idea!
Is a police whistle a lot louder than a sport one that coaches use?

MaRina,

The one I have is really loud. I blew it in my garage real hard and it made my ears ring. It gave me a headache! The key is to blow strongly. It's light as a feather too, so it doesn't weigh you down any way you choose to wear it.

Re: Saved By the Whistle

MaRina — Mon, 02 May 2016 18:45:00 GMT

@Frosted Cake wrote:

@MaRina wrote:
Fantastic Idea!
Is a police whistle a lot louder than a sport one that coaches use?

MaRina,
The one I have is really loud. I blew it in my garage real hard and it made my ears ring. It gave me a headache! The key is to blow strongly. It's lighe as a feather too, so it doesn't weigh you down any way you choose to wear it.

Thanks, I think I'll get one

Re: Saved By the Whistle

Frosted Cake — Mon, 02 May 2016 18:52:57 GMT

@dooBdoo wrote:

Thanks for sharing thhe suggestion about the police whistle, @Frosted Cake! That's very thoughtful of you. I think I'll look into getting one.

dooBdoo,

You are so welcome. I love the picture of the kitty on your avatar. Is that your kitty? Such a sweet adorable face.

I also love your quote! I'll add that one to my collection.