I've been trained to use these Escrima sticks proficiently by a highly respected, Dan Insanto trained instructor.
i'm also handy with a blade and in hand to hand combat.
I keep the sticks in my room along with a louieville slugger with some blood stains on it.
I never thought that I would have to defend myself in my house, but friends of mine got held up at knife point for their drugs in their 4th floor appartment not that long ago and so i've started to find myself locking doors when i never used to and thinnking up defendable positions, escape routes, etc.