Staying Safe without a gun

By Zee

You didn't worry about home invasions, robberies, and rapists when you were a kid.  Your parents probably left the house doors unlocked.  As far as crime goes, you probably didn't have a care in the world.  But times have changed.  In all likelihood, statics show that either you or someone close to you have been a victim of crime, possibly even violent crime.  This is not the world that you grew up in.  Crime is everywhere.  The world just isn't safe anymore.

So what can you do?  The police cant be everywhere; You know the old saying: "When you have just seconds to live, the police are just minutes away".  Comforting?  No.

Tips To protect your House:

• Lights, both interior and exterior, dissuade criminals.  Criminals don't like to be seen committing a crime.  Install exterior security lights on your home.  And use timers on interior lights when away - but don't make the mistake of putting your goods on display.  An interior light with an open window is like a TV station broadcasting from your home - everything is easily visible from outside at night!
• Monitored Home Alarms not only create attention and distraction with audible noise, but also automatically call the monitoring company for help, who in turn, call the police.  And most insurance companies give a 20% discount if you have one.
• Video surveillance, if you can afford it, is an excellent deterrent, as well as evidence to help catch a criminal and get your property returned int he event of a break in.Make sure that the recording unit is hidden or transmits to off-site storage so the criminals can't take the recorder with them!
• A sign that advertises your home alarm, or video surveillance can be a deterrent.  Criminals don't like witnesses, real or electronic.
• Landscaping can be your downfall.  Overgrown bushes over concealment - a place for criminals to hide as they attempt to break in to your house.  Consider planing smaller thorny plants like knock-out roses under your windows. Nature's barbwire.  Use it!
• Stop the mail & paper delivery when you are away.  An overflowing mailbox or a porch full of news papers is a sure sign to criminals that he house is temporarily unoccupied and an easy target.
• Communicate with your neighbors.  Let them know when you will be coming & going.  Any unusual traffic may be
• Protect your Windows.  Good old fashioned steel bars work well, but are unsightly, a fire hazard, and against some HOA regulations.  Consider window security film instead.  New window flims do more than tine your windows for energy savings.  Some are "shatter proof" keeping your windows from breaking out completely.
• Get a Dog.  Nothing deters criminals quite like a good sized family dog, trained to alert & protect your family.  They don't call them man's best friend for nothing!

Tips To protect your car:

• Take any valuables.  If there is nothing there to steal, the less chance a criminal will break in.  And if they do, it wont be there to steal.  Criminals like quick & easy crimes.
• Hide any valuables that you cant take out of the car.
• Lock the car.  Yes criminals can pick a lock or smash a window, but many may not be willing to tkae that much time or create that much noise.
• Tint your windows.  Similar to the take/hide theory, what is out of sight is out of mind.
• Add an Alarm to your car.  Anything that draws attention distracts criminals.  Consider a window sticker that says you have an alarm as well.
• A GPS is a very useful tool if you're lost.  It can help you get were you're going, including home.  But think twice before program your "Home" into the GPS.  If you car is stolen, the thief now has your car, your GPS, and likely your garage door opener.  You home could be his next stop!
• Valet service is a nice amenity when you're out on the town.  And most valet services are legitimate and trustworthy.  But many crimes have also been committed by otherwise seemingly innocent valets.  Give a valet only your car keys, and not your house keys.  And follow rule #1 - Take any valuables - before they do!

Tips To protect yourself:

• If you think you shouldn't be going some place after dark, then DON'T.   Trust your gut feeling - it is there for a reason.
• Be aware of your surroundings.  Watch where you are going, and who is nearby.  Don't be distracted by cell phone or ipods.  Criminals often take advantage of victims who are disoriented or distracted.
• Have an escape plan.  Everywhere you go, think about where you would run or what you would do if a criminal came after you now.
• Stay visible.  Keep yourself in the light and under the video surveillance cameras.  Park in the central row at the store where you can be seen by more people coming & going.  Criminals like the shadows, and anywhere they can minimize their visibility; so maximize yours.
• Take someone with you.  As the old saying goes, there is safety in numbers; there is strength in numbers.  And criminals don't like witnesses.
• Choose escape before confrontation.  Chances are, the criminal has done this before and knows how to win. If the attacker wants money, consider throwing the cash as a distraction & running the other way.  If you have to fight, avoid close combat.  Keep your distance.  Increase your changes to get away.
• Avoid unusual situations.  Some criminals use distraction or sympathy techniques to get you to let down your guard.  Helping your neighbor is good, but the good Samaritan is an easy target. If you suspect a trick or trap, keep you distance and call for help. The life you save may be your own.
• Never get into a vehicle with an attacker.  Even if  you think you cant get away, FIGHT.  Your chances of survival drop GREATLY if you are taken away from the scene of the assault.
• Arm yourself.  

1. Keys.  It is a common myth that keeping your keys in your hand while walking tot he car makes for a good improvised weapon.  This is not generally true.  in addition to being  in a highly dangerous close combat situation, keys do very little realistic damage.  Your best bet is to throw them and hope the criminal wants your car and not YOU.
2. Stun Gun.  In addition to being in a highly dangerous close combat situation, stun guns do very little realistic damage unless you can keep a sustained shock on the attacker for 2 to 3 seconds.  That's a big IF.  Not to mention that they rely on batteries, which may not be charged if you have not tested /  maintained the stun gun in a while.
3. Pepper spray is an excellent deterrent and might just buy you enough time to escape.  But be warned, it is not a "cure all".  While pepper spray is typically very effective, it has range limitations, and you must get close enough to get a full dose into the criminals eyes, nose & mouth.  There is inherent danger in getting this close to a criminal.  From that close, a physically superior criminal could do any number of undesirable things.
4. Knife.  Some states allow citizens to carry knives - some have limitations by size.  In addition to being in a highly dangerous close combat situation, knives do not tend to stop or kill instantly like on TV.  A criminal may have plenty of time to rob/hurt/rape/kill you while they bleed out.  And unless you are highly trained in knife fighting, you may just get yourself killed trying to use it.
5.  Exercise and Training.  Whether armed or hand to hand,you should train for efficiency and effectiveness.  It will help in a fight if you've trained to fight.  It will help when running away if you've exercised & kept in shape.

 * I am not a lawyer or law enforcement officer.  This information does not constitute legal advice.  This post represents my opinions only.  Your situation may vary.  Please consult with local law enforcement for safety tips and regulations concerning personal safety and arming yourself with or using ANY self protection device - handgun or otherwise.

Key words:   Safety, Self Defense, Preparedness, Observation, Situational Awareness, Escape and Avoidance.