How to turn everyday objects into weapons

It's unclear exactly how he managed to do it, but somehow MacGyver was able to make the most ordinary of objects into dangerous weapons. Give the man a bobby pin and a rubber band and he could fight off the world. Though it's probably not possible for us non-TV heroes to make something extraordinary from those two items, it is easy enough to turn some everyday objects into weapons. Read on for a few pointers.

Things You'll Need

• Keen mind and cunning
• Hot liquids
• Pots and pans
• Knives
• Aerosol sprays
• Brooms or mops
• Shoelaces
• Electrical cords

Instructions

1. 

   Substitute common kitchen supplies for their manufactured-weapon counterparts. After all, as any good cook knows, the key to being successful in the kitchen is in knowing how to make substitutions. The hot water from a teakettle, your cup of coffee or the soup you were eating for lunch stings just as much as mace when it's flung in somebody's face. Hold on to the kettle, cup and soup can, too. With enough force behind them, they can make great weapons to attack the soft vulnerable parts--like the underside of the jaw.

2. 

   Take up a knife and a pot lid for your next duel. Swords and shields are incredibly expensive these days and hard to lug around. A well-sharpened knife is easier to wield, faster to use and if you hold on to the handle of the pot lid it can protect your hands and face. In serious situations, they make great weapons if you're unexpectedly attacked in your kitchen.

3. 

   Turn shoelaces and electrical cords into restraints, nooses and booby traps. By stringing these everyday objects across a door frame, you can easily trip up intruders and snoopy relatives. Once he hits the floor, be environmentally conscious--re-use the cord to tie (or string) him up.

4. 

   Sweep up in a fight by using a broomstick as a club. This will actually work with any stick-like object. Brooms, mops, golf clubs or branches (if you're outdoors) can all be used to fight off blows and deliver some powerful whacks. A sharp jab from a broom handle into the abdomen or throat can buy you enough time to run from an attacker.

5. 

   Find something to write home about. Never underestimate the power of the pen! The sharp tip of a ballpoint or pencil can do some significant damage if you're close enough to poke it into somebody's eye or the fleshy part of the throat right under the jaw. Just make sure to put a lot of force behind it and be prepared to move away quickly.

6. Turn the annoying noise that everyday objects make into the powerful weapon of distraction. Use the car alarm button on your keys, throw a bottle or turn the TV or stereo up to its highest level. The noise won't cause any damage but it can throw an attacker off-kilter and give you some time to get away or find another object to use as a weapon.

7. 

   Clean the floor with your attacker. Any liquids in spray bottle make great weapons. Whether it's Windex, Aqua Velva or Aqua Net, these aerosol devices can be used from a decent distance and most of them contain semi-caustic ingredients that can cause pain.

Tips & Warnings

• The best everyday objects aren't always objects. Use your surroundings as a weapon, too. Stairs, uneven pavement and sharp table corners can all be used to your advantage. Try to get your attacker to lunge at you and let him fall hard onto the surface. Gravity and his own body mass will do some damage.