| It seems like violent crime is everywhere | | | | other people. You're significantly less |
| these days. From the local nightly news to | | | | likely to be attacked if you are in a |
| the front page of the morning paper, we are | | | | well-lit, high-traffic area. - Trust your |
| constantly reminded that we live in a | | | | instincts. Don't worry about seeming |
| dangerous and unpredictable world. Crime | | | | paranoid. If a person or situation doesn't |
| statistics confirm these reports - according | | | | seem right to you, get away immediately and |
| to the FBI, there were a reported 1,390,695 | | | | tell someone. You're far less likely to |
| violent crimes in 2005. Today, it's more | | | | become a victim of a violent crime if you're |
| important than ever to be able to defend | | | | alert and aware. Unfortunately, there's no |
| yourself if it becomes necessary. But what | | | | 100% guarantee. For a little extra peace of |
| exactly does "self-defense" mean? Is it about | | | | mind, you may want to consider some |
| being bigger and tougher than a potential | | | | additional non-lethal self-defense options: - |
| attacker? Does it mean carrying a gun in your | | | | Pepper spray: A small but powerful deterrent. |
| purse? Not all of us are capable of fighting | | | | It causes temporary blindness, difficulty |
| back physically, and sometimes fighting can | | | | breathing, and an intense burning sensation. |
| make your situation more dangerous. Plus the | | | | Spraying an attacker with pepper spray gives |
| laws concerning self-defense can be tricky - | | | | you extra time to get away and get help. - |
| lethal self-defense is not always the | | | | Stun guns: Stun guns are available in a |
| solution from a legal point of view, no | | | | variety of sizes and deliver a powerful jolt |
| matter how frightened you may be in a | | | | of electricity that temporarily disables an |
| situation. Your Best Defense The key to | | | | attacker for several minutes. - Personal |
| self-defense is preparation. You don't have | | | | alarms: A personal alarm or panic sensor can |
| to be paranoid, and you don't have to carry a | | | | be worn around the neck and pressed if you're |
| gun. The best way to defend yourself is to be | | | | in a dangerous situation. The noise can |
| aware of your surroundings and to know what | | | | startle and scare away an attacker - and it |
| to do if you feel threatened or unsafe. Here | | | | draws attention to you. By staying alert and |
| are some things you can do to avoid being a | | | | using non-lethal self-defense products, you |
| victim: - Be aware of your surroundings. | | | | are minimizing your risk of becoming a |
| Always pay attention and observe what's going | | | | victim. You don't have to live in fear. A |
| on around you. Criminals often choose victims | | | | little preparation can help you feel |
| who appear to be preoccupied or distracted. - | | | | empowered in an unpredictable world. |
| Avoid isolated places. Whether you're finding | | | | |
| a parking spot at the mall or going out for | | | | Ralph Winn. 35 years in the Security System |
| an evening stroll, make a point to be around | | | | industry. |