Best non-gun weapon for home defense?

Did a search and couldn't find anything exactly on point (and maybe this should be for the OT, but figured I'd get better responses here).

Anyway, like the title says I'm wondering if I should get a weapon (other than the baseball bat I currently have) in case the worst happens. I don't want a gun (nothing against guns; just don't want one for a number of reasons (not the least of which is I just don't want one)).

I'm primarily looking for something that won't but a huge risk if a kid accidentally stumbles upon it. I was looking into those batons that have an electric prong on them, but I don't know how effective they are.

Ease of use for a very small wife (who won't ever touch a gun) would be helpful as well.