Lots of good advice here.
Heres my advice, some of it is the same as what you heard already.
Get a cell phone, make sure it is always charged. BG can very easily cut your phone line, and if you didn't have a cell, you would be screwed.
I figured that you had a dog even before you said it....you have those child gates, but you also have a sword standing up, so likely no children. So a dog made sense. Use the gates as a obstacle. Place it in a different spot than you usually did, when this "friend" was around.
Others have mentioned nightlights. Good idea. Or you can completly black out the house and place random obstacles. Coke cans filled with nails make alot of noise. Change your furniture around. Make your home unfamilar to this person.
Get another firearm or two. Handguns would be a good choice, same make, same model, both loaded. Hide them, one in the room you sleep in, one in the room you spend time in.
Place hidden signs to yourself so that you know if someone has broken in. These aren't full proof, I have seen a friend bypass some (set by his parents after they kicked him out
) but they improve your odds. The string is a good idea. So is the vacuming. So is the putty and bbs.
Have alternative weapons. I already saw your sword. Make sure you also have a knife on you at all times. A second would be good, hidden in your boot (if legal in your area). Just incase you are tied up, your main knife taken.
Block the windows in the other rooms. I like the plywood idea. That would repel the molotov cocktail even better than the wire, and it can prevent somone from coming in.
Use dowels to block any sliding glass doors. Cut to length, and put in the tracks after the door is closed.
You can put dowels in front of all other entry doors, about 12-16" up, and about 1' clear of the door. Very simple to do. Look in your closet, at the rod in the closet. Look at how it is fastened, most likely laying in a circular plastic thing with a U cutout. Go the hardware store, but a few of them. Place them around your house, a few feet in front of doors. Place the cut dowels in them. Someone walks in, and isn't looking for it, they will end up flat on their face, making plenty of noise.
Do NOT use that closet as a safe room. They can just shoot right through those walls, and you are a fish in a barrell. Also, sleep in another room.
I would recommend the office or 2nd bedroom. Close up the windows, make it so noone can see in. Leave your bed in the bedroom, get a cheap pad and sleeping bag, shotgun next to you. Door locked, and barricaded. If they go into your bedroom, than you can ambush them. They will have no way out, since you will have barricaded the windows. Once they are in the main bedroom, you can come up from behind.
Remember, people can get your garage door code with something as simple as a palm pilot. There are programs that act as remote controls for palm pilots. You can then use your palm pilot to control your radio, tv, anything with a remote. Things like that can be used to get your garage door opener code. Unlikely they would go in this way, since it is noisy.
Remember that they are just as likely to attack you outside of your house, as inside. Especially if they pay attention to you preparing. Pay attention to anyone giving you extra attention on the street. When you are going somewhere, take a circuitus route. Take extra turns, go out of your way to see ifyou are being followed.
Vary your schedule as much as possible. You normally leave for work at 8am....start leaving at 7:40, 7:15, even 6am. Come home at 6? Start coming how an hour late.
Be prepared to have solicitors come by. Solicitors are often criminals scouting an area before striking. Don't let them see inside, to see your layout.
Also, very important. Remember to use overwhelming force.
Most people consider me a very quiet, shy type of person, but when I have been in fighting situations, I become very loud, and very aggressive. Throws people off. If you have to give commands, give them loudly, making it very clear that if your commands are not followed, that they will be shot.
Remember to look around. Don't get tunnel vision. Even if you have BG #1 and you are commanding him to lay down, cross ankles, etc etc, pay attention to what is happening left and right of you. BG#2 might be there too.
Be prepared to use physical force. But look for ways to avoid it. Maybe send word that you are moving in with a friend. Act like you are moving out and into an motel or hotel, or somewhere else.
Have several plans. What to do incase BG enters from door #1 while you are watching TV. Door #2, both doors at once, from the garage, from one of your other rooms.
Be adaptable.
Good luck.
I.G.B.
