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All Joggers & Walkers - Keep Personal Safety A #1 Priority

Are you are an avid jogger or power walker?  If so, make sure your personal safety is a #1 priority as you get ready for your early morning or late evening jog or walk.   
 
As you are getting ready for your jog/walk - strapping on the iPod and earphones – be aware that there may be some "crazies" around your jogging trail looking for someone just like you – happy go lucky and slightly unaware that anything “bad” could happen to you.

When jogging or walking, you may not always hear someone coming up behind you – especially with your headphones on or talking on your cell phone – so make sure you take the volume and distractions into consideration. The majority of attackers come from behind so as you pass someone and he smiles and waves, be aware, peer over your shoulder just to make sure he hasn’t switched gears in your direction and is now behind you.

The number of women joggers/walkers who have been attacked, assaulted, and even murdered over the last five years is staggering.  With proper security and safety awareness, a self-defense mindset, and carrying some type of a personal protection device(s), you can become a woman warrior on the road….to better health and safety!

Here are some personal safety jogging and walking tips that can help keep you safe and alive:

1. Always be alert and aware of your surroundings and the people you are coming into contact with along the walking - jogging path.

2. If you must jog/walk alone, be aware of your surroundings especially when near secluded areas. Try to walk with a partner or take your dog along.

3. Carefully observe male jogger/walkers as you pass them. If you notice anything strange or you have an instinctively bad feeling (gut feeling), remove yourself from that situation right away. Trust your first gut instinct - it’s usually right!

4. Carry some type of personal protection/safety device – like a TASER C2, Mace Pepper Spray “Hot Walkers” walking weights, Pepper Spray, or a Personal Alarm w/lights.

5. If you have headphones on, make sure you can hear noise – like sirens or someone approaching you quickly.  Don’t become so distracted with listening to your MP3, music, or talking on a cell phone that you fail to see signals of an oncoming attack.  You need to stay alert and aware of what’s going on around you.

6. If you must jog/walk at night, do so in well-lit, busy areas and with a partner.  Wear a reflective vest or some attire so you are visible for cars and others to see.

7. If you are wearing a halter top and short shorts – be EXTRA, EXTRA aware of others around you.  We should be able to wear what we want when we want, but the fact is there are idiots out there that prey on women – especially those dressed scantily.  Become knowledgeable of what to do in case of an attack.  A self-defense class teaches techniques to protect and defend yourself enough to get away to safety.  Consider carrying some type of personal protection AND cell phone with you when you jog or walk.

8. Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.  If something happens and you don’t return when expected, people know where you had planned to do your jogging/walking.

Keep up your workout program of jogging or walking but be smart and always keep your personal safety first and foremost!

Remember, Stay Aware…Stay Alert…Stay Alive!

Here are (2) personal protection devices you might want to consider as you do your daily jogging or walking:

Mace Hot-Walkers                                      

Personal Alarm w/Light 

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Do You Help The Guy In Need When He Asks For Money?

Times are really tough right now.  The economy sucks and many people are out of work.  If you are lucky enough to have a job, good for you!   When companies are closing their doors and laying off people, desperate people tend to do desperate things - like rob innocent people.  Of course, there are those people who are too darn lazy to even try to work because it is easier to rob and steal from others.

You read in the paper and hear on the news each day about people who are being attacked on the street, as they leave the restaurant, local pub, or shopping mall.  Too many people are lax about their personal safety never even considering that a personal assault or attack may happen to them. 

Today I read in the paper that a man was robbed and hit in the head with a beer bottle as he is pumping gas at a local gas station.  He said that while he was pumping gas at 11 p.m. three men asked him for money.  He told them he didn’t have any and the men knocked him down, assaulted him and robbed things from his truck.  I’m sure this guy had not considered that this situation would be imminent.

My husband and I stopped at a McDonald’s on the Chicago toll way the other night and as we approached our car, I could see a guy coming towards my husband.  My first thought was to avoid him and get inside my car.  He asked my husband for money because his car had crapped out on him.  First of all, if you are in dire straights like that wouldn’t you call someone you know instead hitting up a complete stranger for money - unless you have a scam on your mind?  I motioned for my husband and we went straight to our car trying to avoid the man.

It really is sad that you have to react that way but these type of criminal assaults are happening regularly.  It is hard to tell a real situation when someone may desperately need help from a scam where someone is trying to rob you of your cash or valuables.  It is important that we all become more proactive in our personal security and safety - and know what to do to keep ourselves and our family safe wherever we are. 

Here are some simple strategies to keep yourself safe when you are out and about. 

1.  Take a local self-defense training class.  One that I highly recommend is the RAD Self-Defense Training.  Check with your local law enforcement agency for any training they sponsor. Knowing self-defense techniques, strategies, and how to defend yourself against an attacker is a must especially in our trying times.  I have always recommended self-defense classes for women but men are being attacked quite a bit lately.  Where men think they can handle themselves, many of the attackers are coming in groups of 2-3 attackers on one.  If you are at least trained in self-defense awareness, you stand a better chance of defending yourself even if it against 2-3 attackers.

2.  Carry some type of personal protection when out on the street, especially if you are out by yourself late at night. Excellent non-lethal protection like Pepper Spray, Mace, TASER C2, Stun Gun, or a loud personal alarm are easy to carry in your purse or pocket and can be very effective if personally attacked or assaulted.  Make sure you are well aware how to use these personal protection devices.  More and more individuals are opting to carry a concealed lethal weapon like a firearm.  Once again be sure to take the necessary training when you carry a firearm.  This is a deadly weapon and you want to make sure you are totally in command of your weapon should an attack/assault situation happen to you.

Personal awareness is key here.  Be aware of your surroundings and try not to be out late at night by yourself.  Criminals are looking for individuals who look weak and  vulnerable.  Be sure to carry yourself with confidence and make sure you speak in a commanding voice if a stranger approaches you in a confrontational manner. 

Consider your personal safety a priority at all times.  There are way too many people who will have no problem assaulting you for whatever valuables or cash you may be carrying.

 Stay Aware…Stay Alert…Stay Alive!

Checkout a complete list of non-lethal Personal Protection Products at my website:  http://www.ThePersonalSecurityStore.com

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What Is Your Personal Protection Of Choice?

The first and foremost personal protection that I carry with me 24/7 is my mind - my awareness, knowledge, gut instincts, education, and training to be able to protect and defend myself in certain situations. Then I always carry on my person a TASER C2 and Pepper Spray on my keychain.  I hope I never have use any of my personal protection, but having it with me gives me a bit more confidence that I have the tools necessary to protect and defend myself.

This is what my TASER C2 looks like.  I know a criminal is not going to want to know what this feels like.

Watch this video of someone who got hit by a TASER.  He lets you know you don’t want to "Take That TASER."

Video Courtesy of Taser Man

 I keep one of the Pepper Spray units on my keychain, one in my car, and the larger one in my home near the front door in case of a forced intrusion.

With personal robbery crimes, carjackings, sexual attacks, personal assaults on the rise, we should be mentally, physically, and personally prepared to defend ourselves against a criminal attack.

If you have not encountered any type of personal crime, now is a good time to become well-prepared by taking a self-defense and/or personal safety awareness class.  No one wants to be a victim of crime but if you shrug it off and say it won’t happen to you - you are potentially setting yourself up to become a victim of crime. 

A perpetrator can spot the person who has let their guard down, who isn’t paying attention to what is going on, and appears to be an "easy" victim.  Don’t be that person!  Lately there have been more attacks on women in the parking lots of some large super stores and shopping malls.  Although they have good lights and some even have surveillance cameras, if you are not paying attention, someone can quickly and easily force you into your vehicle or into their vehicle with no recourse from you.  Read more

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ALERT WARNING: Carjacking/Abduction The Latest Violent Crime

Ladies - Be Alert And Aware Of Your Surroundings When You Are Shopping At The Local Grocery Store -  Shopping Mall, Restaurant - Or Whenever You Are Out By Yourself!  There are criminals waiting to catch those who are not paying attention — those who have let their guard down — to attack at the right opportune time!  Don’t become a victim of this type of crime!

As if there isn’t enough for law-abiding citizens to be concerned with - a crazy economy, job losses, home burglaries on the rise and home invasion robberies increasing.  Now when you go to the grocery store or even the local Target store you have to be more alert and aware of everything around you because there could be someone waiting in the parking lot to carjack your vehicle or worse yet, abduct you!!!

Make your personal safety and security a habit, especially when you are away from home and by yourself.  Watch this video as it shows that Carjacking and Abduction crimes are happening more than many of us realize.  (If no video appears, go to www.selfdefensewithanattitude.com to watch).

Courtesy of KMBCTV

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There have been several abduction attempts and carjacking crimes that have occurred in our small city within the last few weeks.  In a city of less than 100,000 people this is definately not a common crime, but it is one that has many people very concerned.  Here is one of the recent headlines:

Courtesy of the South Bend Tribune

In wake of abduction attempts, how can shoppers protect themselves?

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, highway exit and entry ramps.

• Be alert to your surroundings, even when you feel rushed.
  When approaching your car, have your key in your hand, and check the back seat before you get in.
• If someone is loitering near your unoccupied car as you approach it, keep walking until the person leaves.
• 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.
• Avoid driving alone.  Have someone with you especially at night.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 areas as quickly as you can.  Try to remember what the carjacker looked like and report the crime immediately to the police. You might 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 I have 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.

Stay Aware…Stay Alert…Stay Alive!! 

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Pepper Spray Self-Defense Protection - Don’t Leave Home Without It!

Tri-Pack Pepper Spray - Protection On Your keychain - In Your Car - In Your Home!

Pepper Sprays are just one form of non-lethal personal protection that you can carry for self-defense.  If you are in a high risk job where you meet with strangers, work a late night shift, are a college student, or just want to know you have a way to protect yourself if you are ever attacked, then carrying some type of protection like Pepper Spray may be a good choice.

When you read the daily newspaper or watch the nightly news, you see more and more personal and home robberies,  people being attacked when walking alone - especially during the holiday season - and violent carjackings.  All of these crimes are becoming more prevalent.  What is a person to do to protect themselves?  You cannot totally rely upon the police to be there to protect you or even rely on other people who may be nearby.  The responsibility for protecting yourself is up to YOU!

If you are going to carry some type of defense spray like the Pepper Spray or Mace Spray, you need to do a couple of things: 

•  Believe it or not the right to protect ourselves with non-lethal protection devices is not always a RIGHT in some states, counties, or jurisdictions.  You will need to check with local law enforcement officials to find out what the laws are in your area.  I know it sounds crazy that a law-abiding person wants to protect themselves with only non-lethal protection against a violent attacker who may possess a lethal weapon, but that is how the law is set up.  (And you wonder who the law is designed to protect).
• When you purchase your pepper spray, you will want to do a few practice drills to make sure you know how to spray the device and how NOT to accidentally spray yourself.  You’ll receive information with your unit that discusses how to use the product, but it is very minor information.  My recommendation would be to get a very informative 32-page booklet entitled "The Facts About Defense Sprays And How To Use Them…"  This booklet will give you precise information about how to use the device and if attacked - dropping an attacker to his knees.  You can get this booklet and all types of personal protection at www.thepersonalsecuritystore.com.

The Tri-Pack Pepper Spray is an excellent package because it allows you to carry one of the spray units on your keychain.  As you are walking to your car with keychain in hand, you are prepared.  Always be alert and aware of your surroundings.  Because this is the holiday season, we have a tendency is to be preoccupied on things other than our personal safety.  For example, as you are leaving the mall with a bundle of Christmas packages trying to find your car in the parking lot, take a moment to look around and make sure no one is following you or that there aren’t strangers hanging around your car.  Have your pepper spray in hand along with your keys and know what to do if attacked.  Read more

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Dr. Phil To Profile 911 Emergency Disaster Calls

Make a note to watch the Dr. Phil show on Friday, 12-12-08 where he will be profiling 911 Emergency Disaster Calls.  We have all seen and heard incompetent "911 operator" audios and how they totally botch being able to deliver life-saving help to a victim.  It’s disgraceful!  Yet we all believe by calling 911 our lives are going to be saved by the police. 

The truth is the police are over-worked, underpaid, and their response time depends upon where they are when they receive the 911 call.  You might want to have a backup plan for your self-defense and protection while you are waiting for the police to show up.  Don’t rely totally upon the 911 operator getting the police there within minutes.  Hopefully, they will arrive in time, but what do you do in the meantime? 

Last week I did an article about a violent stalker in San Mateo, California who ended up killing his victim while the police were outside of her house.  Luckily while gunfire was going on between the perpetrator and the police she had the fortitude and courage to hand her two little babies out a front window to the safety of the police.  In the end, the stalker ended up killing her and turning the gun on himself. (Coward!) 

Dr. Phil’s 911 Emergency Disaster Call will also discuss the botched call on someone I did an article on a few months back - Olidia Kerr Day.  Our sympathy goes out to her entire family.  This was such a sad story!!

(Courtesy of Dr. Phil’s Show)  Check your local station for exact time and channel in your area. 

Friday - December 12, 2008 - Dr. Phil Profiles - 911 Nightmares!!

Imagine that you’ve fallen, had a terrible accident or been abducted, and your only lifeline is 911. What happens if you call and can’t get the help you need or emergency personnel are sent to the wrong address?America’s 911 system handles nearly 240 million calls per year, and the growing number of dispatch disasters can be a matter of life or death. Edward and Ada know about this pain firsthand. They lost their loved one, Olidia, to a murder-suicide in the parking lot of a police station after what they say was a botched 911 call. Edward says his mom’s death could have been prevented, and Ada believes the operator was rude to her sister in the final moments before her murder. Joining Dr. Phil to discuss the tragedy are Charlie Cullen from the National Emergency Number Association and Caroline Burau, a 911 dispatcher and author of Answering 911: Life in the Hot Seat. Find out the most important piece of information you need to know when calling for help. Then, Nathan’s wife, Denise Amber Lee, was abducted, and a series of 911 calls — even one placed by Denise herself — failed to save the young mom’s life. Jane, a witness to Denise’s abduction, was on the line with 911 for more than nine minutes … but police were never dispatched. Now Nathan says he’s angry with the system and has trouble explaining Denise’s death to their two young sons. What can the grieving father do to move past the pain? And, learn what constitutes a genuine emergency, and what to teach your kids about dialing those three important numbers.

What do you do in the interim while you have a crazed perpetrator trying to kill you and you’re waiting for 911 to arrive?  When it may only take five minutes or so for the police to arrive, that can seem like an eternity for the woman who is being violently attacked.

If you are being stalked and are concerned for your life or you have had other personal security and safety issues that call for you to take dramatic measures, you may want to invest in and carry some type of non-lethal personal protection or a firearm.  A firearm would be a drastic measure so be sure to make that decision carefully.  Talk with others who know your situation and who can help you with your decision.  You might even want to discuss this with your local police department.  That will at least put them on notice in the event they should ever get a 911 call from you.

Ladies…(and men) make your personal security a priority.  Have a solid plan of action and know what you will do to protect and defend yourself if confronted by a violent attacker.  You may also want to consider having a backup plan and other options in place …just in case!

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

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Women And Guns - Documentary Casting Call

A good friend of mine, Cathryne Czubek, is a documentary filmmaker and she has a Casting Call for all Self Defense With An Attitude readers.

Documentary Casting Call - Woman and Guns

I am an independent documentary filmmaker and for several years I have been working on a documentary video on women and guns that explores the different reasons women become involved with guns and how they are impacted by guns.

I have interviewed women who hunt, who carry guns for self-defense, who shoot for recreation at gun clubs, who are interested in guns, who are scared of guns, who want to try shooting for the first time, who feel that they are a necessary part of their lives.  I have traveled around the country searching for different perspectives in different geographic areas.

The project also takes a hard look at the cultural icon of the armed woman and the history of women and guns.  A trailer can be seen at www.agirlandagunfilm.com.

Recreation is a part of the project and self-defense is a very strong aspect of the project. 

I am looking for a woman who is currently going through a situation in which they feel threatened - perhaps at a workplace, in a relationship, at home, etc.  It is not important if she owns a gun for protection or not, it would be ideal if she is contemplating buying a gun or a different object/weapon of self-defense.

I would want to produce a videotape with this woman and possibly record phone conversations, but it would not be important to disclose name, location, or any other vital information that would jeopardize one’s personal security.  I realize this is a very sensitive subject.  The most important thing that I am looking for is to capture the real feelings - fear, vulnerability, uncertainty, confusion, anxiety, etc. - of a woman dealing with a violent situation.

Thank you very much for your consideration and I look forward to speaking with you soon.  I can be contacted via email at catczu@gmail.com.  Thank you.

Cathryne Czubek

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

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Warning - Criminals Advocate Gun Control - For You Only!!

HERE’S TO THE HOME INVADER-RAPIST-ATTACKER WHO WANTS GUN CONTROL                      

I received this video today and it is pretty clear that criminals are all in favor of GunControl — FOR EVERYONE EXCEPT THEMSELVES.  This video will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. 

As a law-abiding citizen, if the Government took your gun(s) away, the only ones who would still have guns are the violent criminals.  And the last thing we need is to let these criminals take charge. 

Criminals will always have some kind of lethal firearm/weapon to do their dirty criminal deeds with.  Everyday citizens needs to be able to protect themselves, their family, and their homes. 

 Courtesy of Antiprise-Criminals 4 Gun Control 1-Home Invasion

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Protect your home and family by having an impenetrable home perimeter and security system, keep non-lethal personal protection like Taser C2, Stun Guns, Pepper Spray, or Mace in your home, in your purse, in your car, on your keychain, and develope and maintain a strong self-defense attitude and awareness so you know how to protect and defend yourself.

If circumstances warrant and you decide to purchase and carry a firearm for protection - be sure to get thoroughly trained and be well-prepared to use it if attacked by some low-life punk as seen in this video.    

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

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FBI Says Violent Crimes On The Decline…Ask The Crime Victims What They Think!!

In our  newspaper today there is a big article that starts out "Violent Crimes On The Decline", the FBI says murder, rapes, and robberies are down nationwide in ‘07.  I’m not sure what planet the person who wrote the article is on but we continue to hear about women of all ages who are being attacked, sexually assaulted and murdered every week.  I wonder sometimes if we are all becoming immune to this type of news coverage. 

If, and that’s a big IF, crime is on the decline, maybe it is because women are starting to take charge of their personal safety and becoming trained in how to protect and defend  themselves with self-defense training and personal security and safety awareness classes.  Many women and young ladies are also carrying personal protection - from non-lethal devices like the awesome Taser C2 or pepper spray gun to carrying a firearm.  Women are also becoming well-trained in how to use these weapons-knowing that it is their responsibility to only use these weapons if their life is truly in a life-threatening situation. 

Check out this video and determine if her life was in danger. 

Courtesy of www.brucemontague.ca

My specialty is in the personal security field.  I regularly blog about self-defense strategies and safety awareness for women, personal security 911 awareness, home burglary prevention, and home security protection.  I do a lot of research and talk with people in the crime prevention and security industry to learn about what strategies and tactics work to help women and men avoid becoming victims of crime - and live to tell about it.   Read more