Halloween Safety Tips To Keep Your Children Safe

Halloween Safety Video Courtesy of Expert Village

Halloween is always a really fun time for little children and parents. I can remember how much fun it was dressing my kids up for Halloween. The best times were when I used a “made up” Halloween costume of stuff that I had around the house. When my daughter was real little she only wanted to be something non-scary so she was a Monchichi monkey, a Cinderella, or something that would not be scary to a little girl. For my son – the scarier the better!!

Times have dramatically changed since my kids were little. We have child predators, child molesters, and just flat out crazy people who steal children in a split second. Halloween in the past was about making sure your kids didn’t get razor blades inside their candy. Now when we stress child safety it’s about parents praying they don’t lose their kids through some type of abduction or worse while they are out “trick or treating.”

We all know what we should do to keep our children safe, but it never hurts to reiterate and remind ourselves again about Child Safety. We hear way too often about a child who gets abducted in broad daylight. Halloween trick or treating starts in the early evening when it’s getting dark - so we need to be even more alert to safety issues.

Parents and children have a great Halloween and stay safe!!

2009 Halloween Safety Tips

1. Be sure older children TAKE FRIENDS and younger children are accompanied by a TRUSTED ADULT when “Trick or Treating.”

2. Accompany younger children to the door of every home they approach and make sure parents and guardians are familiar with every home and all people from which the children receive treats.

3. Teach children to NEVER enter a home without prior permission from their parents or guardian.

4. Teach children to NEVER approach a vehicle, occupied or not, unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.

5. Make sure all children wear reflective clothing and carry a glow stick when out at dusk and at night.

6. Make sure children are able to see and breathe properly and easily when using facial masks. All costumes and masks should be clearly marked as flame resistant.

7. Teach children to NEVER approach a home that is not well lit both inside and outside.

8. Teach children to stay alert for any suspicious incidents and report them to their parents, guardians, and/or the proper authority.

9. Teach children if anyone tries to grab them to make a scene; loudly yell this person is not my father/mother/guardian

10. Consider organizing or attending parties at home, in schools, or in community centers as a good alternative to “Trick or Treating.”

11. Take a flashlight with fresh batteries to help guide you and your child’s way even if there are street lights in your neighborhood. Again, reflective tape added to your child’s costume or shoes is good idea.

12. Tell your children not to eat any of their treats until they come home so parents can inspect each and every piece.

13. Walk don’t run. Walking is safer and by not running children will be able to observe traffic more easily and each other.

14. Children should stay on sidewalks whenever possible. Avoid walking through yards and driveways.

15. Provide your child with emergency identification – like a bracelet or necklace. Place your child’s name, telephone number and address somewhere on their costume, closing or a piece of paper in their pocket.

* Partial list from Oregon State Police Missing Children Clearinghouse and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Have a fun time with your children and a Safe Halloween!!

Have a fun time with your children and a Safe Halloween!!

Remember, Stay Aware…Stay Alert…Stay Alive!!

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Personal Security, Self-Defense & Staying Safe In A ‘Violent Culture’

Staying Safe In A Violent Culture

There have been so many cases recently where young women have been abducted never to be seen again. Or young women have been murdered - one in particular by a co-worker. Then you have children who have been abducted and to the horror of the parents have been found murdered. What is becoming of our society? Why is there so much violence going on in our country? How do we keep ourselves and our children safe in a violent culture?

The violence against women is staggering! It should make all women, men, and parents take dramatic action to ensure they can protect themselves and their children against violent predators. There are sexual predators and child molesters out there lerking and stalking…ready and waiting for the perfect time to pounce upon their victim! When you do not anticipate an attack or are not prepared to protect and defend yourself, then you are at a very great disadvantage!

Stay Aware..Stay Alert..Stay Alive

Being aware and alert to your surroundings no matter where you are is vitally important! Don’t get into the mindset that this type of violence won’t affect you and your family. That only causes you to become complacent. It shouldn’t take a heartbreaking loss of life - a murder, a violent attack, a homicide by a violent maniac - for people to wakeup and take action to protect themselves and their children. But sometimes that is exactly what it takes for people to wake up and take action.

Here is an article from Robert Siciliano about staying safe in a violent culture by learning and using personal safety awareness strategies and self-defense training and techniques. (CLICK HERE TO READ MORE).

Parents protect your children.

There are self-defense programs available for kids. RAD Self-Defense For Kids is one such program that is available in cities throughout the U.S. Women can also take a RAD Self-Defense class in their local community. Most colleges and universities offer RAD training classes on camplus. Check with local law enforcement to see what type of self-defense programs they offer. There are some amazing self-defense experts online who offer programs through DVD’s or on-site company programs.

Personal Protection Products

Don’t forget there are excellent personal protection products available that can be a secondary level of protection and a backup to your self-defense training. You may want to carry pepper spray on your keychain, in your purse, or keep it in your car. Products like Pepper Spray, Mace, TASER C2, Stun Gun or Personal Alarms are non-lethal devices and are meant to disable an attacker enough for you to get away to safety and call 911.

If you carry one of these products, know how to properly use it. Go to www.ThePersonalSecurityStore.com and check out all the excellent personal protection products that can help keep you safe.

Here are some personal safety tips from Robert Siciliano when walking.

Maintain body language that projects strength.
Don’t slump.
Walk with purpose.
Maintain good posture.
Project a tough facial expression.
Use eye contact that "turns a man to stone" and doesn’t seem welcoming.
Be aware of your surroundings, especially things that are out of place.
Be aware of the body language of others.
Listen to your intuition.
Mentally practice "what ifs" — that is, figure out what you would do if something happened.

(To read more of the program about Robert Siciliano CLICK HERE).

Remember Stay Aware…Stay Alert…Stay Alive!!

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Women At Risk - Retail Safety

Retail Associates are often young high school or college age women looking to earn extra money while they attend school. Many retail associates who fit this category are part time workers and must work the later shifts due to school conflicts. This means leaving work alone well after dark.

The most vulnerable situation is walking out to a car alone late at night. Even when not alone, two young women may not be much of a challenge for someone who is a violent criminal looking to sexually assault women. Also, if you have noticed young women coming out of the mall - they usually have their cell phone attached to their ear talking non-stop to whomever and not paying attention to what is going on around them. Being alert and aware of your surroundings wherever you are - especially when alone - is very important. When you’re preoccupied with other things, whether it’s being on a cell phone or just not paying attention you put yourself at a greater risk of being attacked.

It’s Not Too Early To Learn…

It is never too early to teach young women about self-defense and personal safety awareness training. The prepetrator knows no age and a high school or college women tends to have fewer life experiences that involve a criminal act. Therefore, many young women think that a crime involving a violent attack or assault will never happen to her. By thinking this way women sometimes let their guard down and become an easy victim!

Mothers should encourage their daughters to take a self-defense or a personal safety awareness class to learn how to protect and themselves should they be a victim of an personal assault or attack. Today our news tells us almost daily about young women who are violently attacked, raped, and murdered. Knowing how to protect yourself is only half the battle; the other may be carrying some type of personal protection like pepper spray, mace spray, a stun gun (that looks like a cell phone), or a TASER C2. Together they can give you an added advantage that could save your life!

For all your Personal Protection Product needs go to: http://www.ThePersonalSecurityStore.com

Remember, Stay Alert…Stay Aware…Stay Alive!!

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Self-Defense Or Brazen, Lawless Gun Battle With A Bad Attitude?

Video Courtesy of Monte1880 - Shoot Out At The O.K. Corral - 1800’s

Video Courtesy of ConservativeNewsMedia - Shoot Out In Toledo, OH Bar -2009

If you play these videos at the same time, you might wonder if it’s a shoot out at the O.K. Corral 2009 or what? It’s hard to believe that this gun fight happened in a U.S. city - a Toledo, Ohio community bar! Who would imagine that this many punks are carrying lethal weapons on them as they casually go into nightclubs, bars, restaurants, movies… people’s homes???? This video depicts a very frightening scene of lawlessness, brazen boldness with a lethal firearm, and a careless attitude for anyone’s life!

This scene should make sane people wonder about hanging out in these type of bars. This type of activity doesn’t just happen at low-life bars, it can happen anywhere - especially when people are doing unscrupulous things like selling or dealing in drugs, firearms, or anything illegal. When these gun toten punks carry firearms on their person and are among other like-minded individuals, it seems to give them an aggressive, superior and invincible-like attitude. What’s going to happen if this person confronts an unarmed innocent law-abiding citizen? It is probably not going to be a good day for the innocent person.

Do we want everyone walking around carrying firearms? How about only those who are mentally competent (and this could be a stretch), law-abiding citizens who have purchased their firearms the legal way and have gone through a complete background check? I would lay odds that most of the brazen punks in this video did not get their firearms that way!.

This type of video will undoubtably cause Government lawmakers again to try and take away the gun rights of innocent people in lieu of cracking down on this type of criminal activity. If that were to happen, you would only unarm law abiding citizens. The criminals will always be able to find a way get firearms…

Remember, your personal security and safety is your responsibility. Don’t put yourself in further jeopardy by the places you hangout!

Stay Aware…Stay Alert…Stay Alive!!

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Protection Against The H1N1 Flu Virus

H1N1 Influenza Information

Here is important information regarding the H1N1 Flu virus that we hear about each day. More and more people are being affected by this type of flu virus so we wanted to provide you with information to learn the symptoms and how to prevent them from spreading to others.

(Video Courtesy of CDCStreamingHealth)

Information from "She" Health News for Women Magazine.

If you become ill and experience any of the symptoms mentioned, contact a health care provider. They advise DO NOT go to the physician office without calling first. For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/H1N1FLU.

PREVENTION:

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

SYMPTOMS:

Fever (greater than 100 degrees F)
Sore throat and cough
Stuffy nose
Chills
Headache & body aches
Fatigue
Nausea & vomiting
Severe illness (respiratory distress and pneumonia have been reported in people with this virus).

Keep your family well during this coming cold and flu season. Follow these guidelines and remember - for more information on the H1N1 Flu go to http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1FLU.

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Tips To Avoid Becoming A Carjacking Victim - Part III

Be Alert And Aware Of Your Surroundings When You Are Out Late At Night – Especially When You Are Alone Or In An Area That May Be Suspect To Criminal Type Activity.

There are criminals waiting to catch people who are not paying attention — those who have let their guard down — and attack at the opportune time! Remember to stay aware, stay alert, so you stay alive!

Today, citizens have a lot to be conerned about and certainly to stay aware of -a crazy economy, job losses, home burglaries/home invasion robbery crimes that are increasing and personal attacks on the rise. Something as simple as going to the grocery store, the local Target store, or just getting out of your car in front of your apartment, you need to be more alert and aware of things that are going on around you. You never know when there could be someone waiting in the parking lot to carjack your vehicle or worse yet, abduct you!!! (Click Here - See recent article on two teens carjacked and thrown in the trunk of their vehicle).

Make your personal safety and security a habit, especially when you are away from home and by yourself. I have included a personal protection device - the 4 In 1 Emergency Tool - that you may want to keep in your car’s front seat area as well as one in the trunk of your car. The cost is small when you compare the value this tool can provide in helping you survive an emergency or even a carjacking if you are stuffed into the trunk of your vehicle.

Watch this short video and learn how to avoid being a carjacking victim. They seem so common-sense yet people who become victims of this crime don’t always follow these tips. Listen and learn!! (Video Courtesy of eHowauto).

It Can Happen Anywhere And To Anyone

• Though carjackings can occur anytime, a sizeable share appear to take place during the late night hours.
• Carjacking isn’t just a problem in large cities – it happens in suburbs, small towns, and rural areas.
• Carjackers look for opportunity. They don’t choose victims by sex, race, or age.

What Do Carjackers Look For And What Should You Do To Avoid Being A Victim?

Areas that carjackers target are: intersections controlled by traffic lights or stops lights, parking garages, shopping malls, grocery stores, gas stations, car washes, ATM machines, residential driveways or apartment parking lots, highway exit and entry ramps.

First and foremost make sure you lock your doors as soon as you are in your car and make sure the windows are all rolled up. Don’t allow a carjacker to easily enter your car.

1. Be alert to your surroundings, even when you feel rushed. When approaching your car, have your keys in your hand, and check the back seat before you get in.

2. If someone is loitering near your unoccupied car as you approach it, keep walking until the person leaves.

3. Be wary of people asking for directions or handing out flyers. Trust your instincts – if something makes you feel uneasy, get into your car quickly, lock the doors and drive away.

4. Avoid driving alone. Have someone with you especially at night.

5. When you come to a stop, leave enough space to maneuver around other cars. In extreme situations you might even consider going through a traffic light, as long as you can do so without causing an accident.

6. Don’t stop to assist a stranger whose car has broken down. Instead, drive to the nearest phone or use your cell phone to call the police for help.

7. If you are driving home and notice someone you don’t recognize loitering, drive around the block and come back after the person has left.

8. Avoid parking near anything that limits your visibility.

Most importantly – If a carjacker threatens you with a gun or other weapon, give up your car! Don’t’ argue. Your life is worth far more than a car!

If someone takes your car, get away from the area as quickly as you can. Try to remember what the carjacker looked like and report the crime immediately to the police.

You may want to consider carrying some type of personal protection on your keychain like pepper spray or mace spray, or even a stun gun or TASER C2.

As mentioned in many of my articles, taking a self-defense or safety awareness training class can teach you what to do and how to protect and defend yourself against these types of criminal attacks. Check with your local law enforcement to see if they have self-defense training classes available.

Get your Personal Protection at http://www.thepersonalsecuritystore.com

Stay Aware…Stay Alert…Stay Alive!!

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