SELF DEFENSE TIPS

Do as much as you can to avoid confrontation - "anticipation and avoidance" are the key words. If you get caught up in a situation, try to talk to an aggressor without provoking them. Practice relaxation, as appearing fearful or stressed can actually provoke an attack. Remember that body language is important in aggressive situations, so maintain a comfortable distance between you and the aggressor.

Use a gas or electronic attack alarm, as these give out a short piercing sound and will temporarily disorientate an attacker, giving you enough time to escape. Carry it somewhere where you can get to it quickly - don't leave it buried at the bottom of your bag. If you don't have an alarm, just make a noise yourself by screaming as loud as you can, or shouting "call the police" - if you're loud enough this can be just as effective as an personal alarm. If you have an alarm, use it and shout as well.

Steady yourself if danger threatens. Panic can disable you, so again it's useful to learn how to keep controlin a difficult situation. And if you must fight back, adopt what the police term the "bash and dash" approach. Primary targets eyes, nose, mouth, ears, throat, groin, knees or shins; choose whichever is easiest to get to.

If held from behind don't struggle forward, you'll only exhaust yourself. Instead throw yourself backwards to surprise your attacker or stomp on the lower leg or foot.

You have the right to defend yourself with reasonable force and this includes using items you have with you such as umbrella, bag, briefcase, or keys. However, don't carry or use anything that the law would regard as an offensive weapon. Once you've achieved your primary aim of stunning or surprising your attacker, get away as fast as you can. If you manage to overcome them don't attack again, you could be putting yourself in more danger or you could end up being charged with assault.

These are just the basics of self- defense, but to learn more about it and get some excercise at the same time, find a local self - defense class and encourage your family along to join you. Just remember "anticipation and avoidance" are the best forms of defense.

Products such as stun guns , pepper sprays , tasers , and training manuals are all helpful in protecting yourself.

Ten Tips For Avoiding Crime

1. Be Alert!
Keep your head up.
Be aware of your surroundings.

2. Vary Your Routines
Predictability makes you a more likely target

3. Lock It!
Home, car, office- locks are your first line of defense.

4. Make Your Home A Tough Target
Use floodlights, motion sensors, a security system, deadbolts, etc.

5. Foil Car-jackers
Keep windows/doors locked, check mirrors and blind spots when stopped.
Stay one to one and half lengths away from the car ahead of you.
Sound your horn and flash your lights if you think you're being approached by a car-jacker.

6. Avoid Car Theft
Lock it!
Use an anti-theft device
Turn the wheels when you park
Never leave a spare key inside the car
Park in a well lighted place
Put packages in the trunk

7. Be Creative
Think of unusual ways to protect yourself and your valuables.
Place a key between your fingers protruding out while walking away from the car.

8. Be Informed
Learn the crime trends in your area and work to protect yourself against them.

9. Get Involved
Have you joined or organized a Neighborhood Watch ?

10. Don't Give Up!
Crime can be reduced - with action, not apathy!

A small stun gun that can fit in your purse such as the Z-force is perfect for the hands of a woman. Motion sensors, and security systems can make your home safer to deter possible theft.
Learn simple self defense moves to defend yourself and stay unharmed.

AVOIDING CRIMES WHEN PARKING

Theft and Vandalism:

• Whenever possible, provide each dwelling with its own locked garage within the property boundaries. Locked garages outside the boundaries or well-lit and visible common car parks are the next best thing.
• Where private garages are not feasible, a car-port or driveway parking is preferable to grouped parking away from dwellings.
• As a general rule, underground or multi-story car parks should be avoided, as they are breeding grounds for vandalism and crime. If they already exist, danger could be minimized by limiting entry points and providing them with sturdy locked gates. Alternatively, each resident could be provided with a lockable garage in their own space, with robust, vandal proof metal doors - garages within garages, so to speak. Or users can be provided with a secure lock or plastic keycard, which operates electronic doors.
• Grouped car parks should be avoided in high-crime areas. If they cannot be avoided, they should be within view of some dwellings; they should be equipped with sturdy gates or tilt doors, and should never be sited near alleyways.
• Open car parks should be small and within view of dwellings and visitors car parks should be clearly identifiable, well lit, and visible from dwellings.

RAPE, ASSAULT, ROBBERY

• To make car parks safer, planners should provide direct access from parking areas to the entrance of dwellings.
• Car parks should be no further than 60 meters from dwellings, and the path should be well lit and free from shrubbery.
• Visitors car parks should be well lit, clearly identifiable, and visible from dwellings.
• Access to enclosed car parks should be limited to residents by some form of electronic entry control device if possible.
• If it is desirable to limit access to dwellings, make sure access via car parks is monitored as well.
• In high-crime areas, advanced technological surveillance methods may be needed in car parks. For example, an infrared unit is available which detects the presence of intruders - but not cats and dogs - by body heat, and automatically switches on all lights in the car park and turns them off after 15 to 20 minutes.

In these cases items such as: Stun Master stun guns , Pepper Spray , Personal Alarms,

could help save your life, or at least give you a better sense of security!

Going on Vacation

An empty house is a tempting target for a burglar. Use this check list for tips to help safeguard your home while you are away.

• Have good locks on all doors and windows and USE THEM!
• Ask a neighbor to watch the house while you are away. It is a good idea to to leave your vacation address and telephone number with your neighbor so you can be reached in case of an emergency.
• Never leave your house key hidden outside your home.
• Stop all deliveries, or arrange for a neighbor to pick up your mail, newspapers and packages.
• Arrange for someone to mow your lawn, rake your leaves and maintain the yard to give the home a lived-in look.
• Plug in timers to turn on lights, a radio or television on and off at appropriate times. This helps to disguise that you are away.
• Don't announce your absence on the answering machine.
• Leave your blinds, curtains and shades in there normal position. Don't close them unless that is what you do normally.
• Engrave your valuables as recommended in Operation I.D. This simple step will allow your stolen property to be identified and returned to you if recovered by the police.

Hope this helps you to have a safe and relaxing vacation. I will be putting more posts on self defense, personal protection, home protection, safety