Defending Yourself When You Have No Access To Guns.

This past Saturdays Miami incident has really got me thinking. My family does not have guns and getting a license takes too much time. It got me thinking of ways to defend ourselves when needed.
We have decided to make a homemade flame thrower. If the zombie burns they will be destroyed. The only thing is that you would have to venture outside to ignite the zombies as you risk catching your home on fire if you were to use it from a second story window.
I am desperate for ways to help my family survive. Please add any ideas you might have for those of us who have no guns.
I honestly believe the zombie apocalypse is happening.