If you're carrying a bucket full of water...

...how hard would it be to move quickly and quietly? Like, murderer on the loose in your house and you trying to dump it all on his face quickly and quietly.

 

You'd have to lean into your steps more to keep the water from falling out of the bucket while trying to keep the floors from creaking, I'd imagine it's pretty hard.

Just wait until he gets to the foot of the staircase, put the empty bucket on your head, and dive into him when he gets in range. It's a fairly safe procedure, I hear.