Barbara,

I used to unplug my phone -- depending on what my apt situation was.

Since being ready in an emergency takes precedence over sleep in your case, you can buy a phone with the nob / button that allows you to turn it off and on.

When I buy my phones, that is the major item I look for.
I have two cheap phones in the house.
Both have caller ID and the ability to turn off the ringer.


Sometimes I take a nap on the couch near the phone. Regardless of who is on the caller ID, I do not answer the phone if I am sleeping.

There is no one who could be calling that is worth my talking to. NO ONE. Just because it rings does not mean that I have to answer it.

Seriously. What information do I need that is more important than sleep?

I,f god forbid, our country is at war, I'll find out when I wake up and turn on the tv or find someone in the neighborhood to talk to.

A friend of mine lives within a range of a nuclear power plant. They have set up outdoor sirens to notify people of a safety issue. No one is going to call him by phone to tell him to take precautions.

Hubby and I do not answer the door when someone knocks unless he knows it is the postman.

We control who talks to us.
If they want to bang on the door because no one is answering, that is their problem (and the neighbors, but not ours).

The neighbor person can be ignored.
If she wants to make a nuisance of herself by banging on windows or something, then you can call the cops.

You could also consider changing your phone number and giving it out only to people who are worth waking you out of your sleep.

M.