Steve Kovacs

Things That Go Bump In The Night



Posted: Sunday, March 08, 2009

by Steve Kovacs
The Kovacs Perspective

It's two in the morning and you've just turned off the horror movie you've watched for the last two hours. It wasn't great, but you just couldn't seem to stop watching it. You're exhausted and can hardly keep your eyes open as you head towards your bedroom. For some reason you feel tense as you walk up those stairs and you just can't help thinking, what if there's someone around the next corner, waiting to "get you". As you continue to walk, it gets worse; now you hear a noise. You ask yourself, "did I really hear that or is it just because I'm tense over that stupid movie?" You keep walking along, and now you hear another noise that definitely sounds like it's coming from the roof. You ask yourself, "Could I really be hearing this stuff? It's got to be the movie, right?" Now you're nervous and doubting yourself and you really don't know what to do next.

Well, let me break something to you. If you heard noises-you heard them. When we're tense we are more in tune to whatever is happening around us. It's a physical reaction that nature instills in all of us--to help us survive. We become hyper-aware. We hear and see things much more clearly.

Regarding the example above though, you may have heard those same noises before, however, at that time, thought nothing of it, not perceiving it as a threat and unconsciously skipping right over it.

Below are some tips to help you to deal with noises at night:

Know this: At night there may be no television or radio noise, little or no automobile traffic sounds, no sounds from lawnmowers or children playing outside, just silence. When there's silence, every little sound can be heard, such as the natural creaky sounds of a house that may be settling or reacting to the weather, to the sounds of the wind, or animals that may be near to-or actually on your home. As a policeman, I answered more calls than I can remember of people hearing noises in or around their homes at night. By far, the vast majority of those calls were caused by easily explained non-threatening phenomenon such as the ones mentioned above.

When you are hypersensitive because of a scary movie you've watched or a crime report you may have heard about (happening in another area) remember this tip: TELL yourself you will be CALM and you will assess the particulars of the sounds you hear. The key to handling any catastrophe, stress or danger is to keep calm. Yes, you too, can keep yourself calm; calm enough, no matter whom you are, to look at things as they really are, while they are occurring. AFFIRM that you will be calm and see things as they actually are. Do not sway from that affirmation.

Always keep your doors and windows locked no matter where you live.

If you hear noises outside, turn outside lights on. Criminals and animals do not like light, and most likely, if there's something out there, they will leave.

If common sense or calm assessing of noises shows you there's the possibility of danger, call the police.

Most nighttime noises simply are nothing to be concerned with. However, there are the very serious sounds that can be caused by criminals. That's why it's the best course of action to remind yourself that you can handle anything that comes your way--when utilizing calm judgment.

Steve is the author of Protect Yourself: The Simple Keys Women Need to be Safe and Secure. He is the host of the Internet Radio Talk Show, The Kovacs Perspective http://www.thekovacsperspective.com/ where he interviews experts in various fields, geared to help and inform. Steve also does on-line current events & political audio commentary.

Steve's background is in law enforcement, security, investigations, teaching and he is also the president of a small specialty investigation company: http://www.allsourcesecurity.com/investigations.htm. Contact Steve any time at:info@thekovacsperspective.com

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Top-level comments on this article: (6 total)
» left by Kim Wendel
from Chagrin Falls Ohio 3 years 53 days ago.
How simple and how true all his comments were!
» left by Steve Kovacs 3 years 52 days ago.
94 fans. Follow Steve Kovacs on twitter!
Thanks for the comments!
» left by Laina Koplow
from Geauga county 3 years 53 days ago.
Oh my gosh, I have had this happen so many times. That feeling after something spooky is on T.V. Next time I will relax and think calmly! ; ) thank you, Laina
» left by Steve Kovacs 3 years 52 days ago.
94 fans. Follow Steve Kovacs on twitter!

I think we’ve all been mesmerized by those movies where we’re sitting at the edge of our seats and our nerves are running on overtime.  Who says Hollywood doesn’t do a good job? Thanks for writing.  Steve

» left by Anonymous 3 years 53 days ago.
Common sense tips. I think most of us have been here at some point in time. A good reminder. But the question remains-- in the heat of moment, can we remain calm and react accordingly?
» left by Steve Kovacs 3 years 46 days ago.
94 fans. Follow Steve Kovacs on twitter!

My experience and training says that we all can.  How, you may ask?  By knowing, we all have the ability to assess anything calmly yet quickly and then affirming that we will react that way.  After all, we pull our own strings no one else does —we can react however we choose to—but sometimes we need help in understanding it.  Thanks for writing I appreciate your feedback.

 

 

» left by Dianne Lehmann
 3 years 52 days ago.
136 fans.
Hi Steve.
 
Good tips and advice. Remaining calm takes practice, though. And I've found that the javelina ('have-a-leena', collared peccaries, basically wild pigs) where we live don't give a good gosh darn about lights. Sometimes their snorting and growling and occasional screaming can be quite frightening when it awakens you in the middle of the night.
 
Still, your advice about remaining calm is so very true.
 
Dianne
» left by Steve Kovacs 3 years 52 days ago.
94 fans. Follow Steve Kovacs on twitter!

Thanks for commenting. We have deer were I live that have become so accustomed to humans they don’t even run when people come near!  Sometimes animals can become quite familiar with civilization. As for taking practice—you know what they say, practice makes perfect—but short of practicing, a person knowing they really CAN react with calm and then affirming what their behavior WILL be like, works.  Thanks again!  Steve 

 

 

» left by LeahG Artist
 3 years 49 days ago.
192 fans. Follow LeahG Artist on twitter!
I'm very embarrassed to tell you this Steve as I know you'll be shaking your head thinking : 'wasting police time.... tut tut tut' but I'll tell you anyway.
 
I've always been scared of the dark and one time late at night all the electricity in the street (lights incl) went off, so I was awake and in pitch darkness. I was terrified and thought I'd feel safer outside with some moonlight at least. The problem was I couldn't see the lock on my door to let myself out. I began to panic and figured if I phone someone I'd feel better. But I couldn't see to dial anyone I knew (9 digits) but I could figure out where the 9's were so I dialed 999 the emergency number.
 
I told them I was after the electricity board but couldn't see to type their number and that I was alone in the dark and scared. The operator was lovely and never made me feel bad. She spoke to me a short time only and I then got off the phone a tad calmer and tried my door again.
 
I would not have been happy if anything had gone 'bump' that night!
» left by Anonymous 3 years 49 days ago.

No—I‘m not thinking you were wasting their time because after all isn’t that what police should be for us—to help us?  I think so—and by the way, during power outages I’ve also walked out of my house to get moonlight—but because of your story I’m going to start keeping flashlights near my doors!!

» left by sue thom
from nj 3 years 35 days ago.
hi steve,
 
way back, when i was 16, i was babysitting for a family for the first time. i played with the kids and put them to bed, and all of a sudden, their golden retriever stood stiif, hair up, and continually barked at a back window. when i pulled the curtain aside, there was a ladder up against the house. i was beyond afraid, i was numb, and almost paralyzed. i called my mom, 2 houses away, and she came over, and searched the property. nothing was found, and after about 30 minutes of searching, my mom decided it had been an animal the dog had been barking at. therefore, i know how our minds can run faster than the truth. when the couple returned home, and i told them what happened, they said the ladder was still against the house because the man had been doing some work on the second floor.
thank you for sharing this with us, and i appreciate you joining my fan club.
my best regards,
sue thom
 
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