| It's two in the morning and you've just turned off | | | | the natural creaky sounds of a house that may |
| the horror movie you've watched for the last | | | | be settling or reacting to the weather, to the |
| two hours. It wasn't great, but you just couldn't | | | | sounds of the wind, or animals that may be near |
| seem to stop watching it. You're exhausted and | | | | to-or actually on your home. As a policeman, I |
| can hardly keep your eyes open as you head | | | | answered more calls than I can remember of |
| towards your bedroom. For some reason you | | | | people hearing noises in or around their homes at |
| feel tense as you walk up those stairs and you | | | | night. By far, the vast majority of those calls |
| just can't help thinking, what if there's someone | | | | were caused by easily explained non-threatening |
| around the next corner, waiting to "get you". As | | | | phenomenon such as the ones mentioned above. |
| you continue to walk, it gets worse; now you | | | | • When you are hypersensitive because |
| hear a noise. You ask yourself, "did I really hear | | | | of a scary movie you've watched or a crime |
| that or is it just because I'm tense over that | | | | report you may have heard about (happening in |
| stupid movie?" You keep walking along, and now | | | | another area) remember this tip: TELL yourself |
| you hear another noise that definitely sounds like | | | | you will be CALM and you will assess the |
| it's coming from the roof. You ask yourself, | | | | particulars of the sounds you hear. The key to |
| "Could I really be hearing this stuff? It's got to be | | | | handling any catastrophe, stress or danger is to |
| the movie, right?" Now you're nervous and | | | | keep calm. Yes, you too, can keep yourself calm; |
| doubting yourself and you really don't know what | | | | calm enough, no matter whom you are, to look |
| to do next. | | | | at things as they really are, while they are |
| Well, let me break something to you. If you heard | | | | occurring. AFFIRM that you will be calm and see |
| noises-you heard them. When we're tense we are | | | | things as they actually are. Do not sway from |
| more in tune to whatever is happening around us. | | | | that affirmation. |
| It's a physical reaction that nature instills in all of | | | | • Always keep your doors and windows |
| us--to help us survive. We become hyper-aware. | | | | locked no matter where you live. |
| We hear and see things much more clearly. | | | | • If you hear noises outside, turn outside |
| Regarding the example above though, you may | | | | lights on. Criminals and animals do not like light, and |
| have heard those same noises before, however, | | | | most likely, if there's something out there, they |
| at that time, thought nothing of it, not perceiving | | | | will leave. |
| it as a threat and unconsciously skipping right over | | | | • If common sense or calm assessing of |
| it. | | | | noises shows you there's the possibility of danger, |
| Below are some tips to help you to deal with | | | | call the police. |
| noises at night | | | | Most nighttime noises simply are nothing to be |
| • Know this: At night there may be no | | | | concerned with. However, there are the very |
| television or radio noise, little or no automobile | | | | serious sounds that can be caused by criminals. |
| traffic sounds, no sounds from lawnmowers or | | | | That's why it's the best course of action to |
| children playing outside, just silence. When there's | | | | remind yourself that you can handle anything that |
| silence, every little sound can be heard, such as | | | | comes your way--when utilizing calm judgment. |