While it came seem obvious, silly or something to that affect it is important to remember what your options are for defending yourself both when you're out and about or at home. This is one of those “better safe then sorry” kind of things. Having personally been robbed one time (thankfully I wasn't there) I can say how discomforting it is to think that someone might try that. After that I keep a firearm at my house which is well hidden and locked away but there in case I ever need it. If however you want to keep items handy for home defense there are some obvious one as mentioned here.
http://readynutrition.com/resources/5-everyday-items-that-will-double-as-defensive-weapons_10062017/
Baseball bat: Very often the most obvious item of choice to be used as a weapon to defend ones home. Simple, effective and will work on a attacker.
Cane: While not the first thing to come to mind a cane can also a very effective striking weapon. Especially if made out of a material such as aluminum.
Walking stick: Similar to a can something which can be used to strike someone to help scare off or ward away an attacker.
Crowbar: While pretty obvious you clearly can't take this out with you when you're out and about. But still a effective way to deal with a intruder.
Tire iron: Similar to a crowbar something you can keep handy in your car and also double as a weapon.
There are of course more practical options such as stun guns like this.
https://www.amazon.com/VIPERTEK-VTS-880-Rechargeable-Flashlight-Black/dp/B01F4E2YI2/ref=sr_1_8?s=hunting-fishing&ie=UTF8&qid=1497327759&sr=1-8&keywords=stun+gun
Which while they can work only pose the problem of getting close to someone. The other option is pepper spray but I would suggest a actual pepper spray gun opposed to a gun.
The Kimber Pepper Blaster is the best overall option as far as price meeting quality.
https://www.amazon.com/Pepper-Blaster-II-LA98001-Kimber/dp/B003L75SSI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1497327660&sr=8-2&keywords=Kimber+Pepper+Blaster
The reason being that someone doesn't have to be exactly at arms length for the weapon to be effective. There are similar liquid spray guns such as the one from mace.
https://www.amazon.com/Mace-Defense-Police-Strength-Pepper/dp/B006VK6Y5I/ref=pd_sim_200_13?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B006VK6Y5I&pd_rd_r=K4A8472Z7YH0TP4WSG29&pd_rd_w=jJM0h&pd_rd_wg=01ini&psc=1&refRID=K4A8472Z7YH0TP4WSG29
Though personally I think the liquid is less ideal compared to something like a Kimber. There are also even more expensive pepper spray guns such as this one.
https://www.amazon.com/Salt-Supply-Pepper-Spray-Defense/dp/B01NCAI8GP/ref=pd_sim_200_8?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01NCAI8GP&pd_rd_r=K4A8472Z7YH0TP4WSG29&pd_rd_w=jJM0h&pd_rd_wg=01ini&psc=1&refRID=K4A8472Z7YH0TP4WSG29
Which while effective with a longer range do have the problem of being much more pricey. Likely more then someone would want to spend on a pepper spray gun. While the Kimber does have disadvantage such as less range, not being able to reload, it makes up for this with being affordable and effective. If and when you think about your home safety for yourself, loved ones, friends, family, etc. These are things you should consider and keep in mind in how or what is the most effective way to be able to defend yourself. If you have any thoughts please let me know. Feel free to upvote, follow and share if you so choose. :-)