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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Women At Risk-In Home Sales Safety & Self-Defense

Are you an outside sales representative who goes into people’s home as part of your job? For the most part you are going into a complete stranger’s home. Do you take the necessary precautions to ensure your personal safety when you are on the job? Do you carry any type of personal protection device or have you taken a self-defense class? Do you have a Personal Safety Plan so you know what do if physically attacked or assaulted? You should be answering these questions because women are coming face to face with these types of scenarios every day.

The In-Home Sales Consultant has potentially more risk than the traditional sales position because you are going into a complete stranger’s home. This may be your first time at meeting this potential customer. Perhaps you have not even spoken over the telephone because the appointment was preset for you. The unknown is sometimes the danger factor. Other factors that determine the vulnerability of this type of position can depend upon the type of product you are selling and who you will be meeting with - male or female alone or a husband and wife team.

If at all possible, call your appointment to confirm, get driving directions, or to get at least a feel for your upcoming meeting. A lot of times just a quick conversation can instinctively let you know this appointment will be fine or it may tell you that you better take someone with you… just in case.

Are you selling home security systems or draperies and blinds to a homeowner? The home security professional may be meeting with the most upstanding citizen in one meeting but in another situation may be meeting with a major drug dealer (homeowner) who needs the ultimate security because of the criminal element they are involved with. You can just imagine which sales position may be more vulnerable and require a higher level of safety.

It is always best to have your personal safety and security as priority number one as you enter and move about your prospect’s (stranger’s) home. Take a few minutes to discuss what you will be looking at inside the home, get to know your prospect and let them know you, look to see where the entry/exit doors are located and always let the homeowner lead the way throughout the home. If your instincts tell you something is wrong, be sure to listen and wrap the meeting up immediately.

Why carrying personal protection with you is so important.

A violent situation can happen anywhere at anytime, even in a prospect’s home. Be sure to arm yourself with some type of self-defense and safety awareness training. And always carry personal protection like pepper/mace spray or a personal alarm with you. You can easily carry pepper spray in your pocket, briefcase, portfolio, on your keys, or in your purse. It’s better to be proactive and safe than attacked or murdered.

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

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If Your Best Self-Defense Is A Ballpoint Pen - USE IT To Stay Alive!

Stay Aware..Stay Alert..Stay Alive - Surviving Against An Attack!

Women need to be extremely observant and vigilant about their personal safety! It’s too bad that our society has gone in that direction - but unfortunately it has. You don’t have to become paranoid about your personal safety - just make safety a habit. When you do that you become more observant of your surroundings, your situations, and the people who are in your space.

An article was sent to me by my good friend, Melissa Soalt aka Dr. Ruthless right before our radio interview (Lets Talk Home Security) on Friday, 9-11-09. It was about a young woman in Chicago who foiled an abduction attempt in the Back of the Yards neighborhood by stabbing her male attacker with a ballpoint pen. The two men are being sought in the incident authorities said on Friday, 9-11-09.

NOTE: If physically attacked, use whatever you can to fight off the attacker. Kick to the groin, yell as loud as you can to try and attract attention, stomp his shins, the top of his foot, use a ballpoint pen - whatever you can that will help save your life! As Dr. Ruthless says - "Go ballistic on the attacker - he’s probably not going to expect it so when you surprise him like that, he’s probably going to be caught off guard!"

At about 11:30 a.m. on September 3, two suspects were parked in a two-door white panel van near the woman’s home. The driver stayed in the van while the other guy exited the vehicle and grabbed the 18-year old woman from behind and placed her in a chokehold, authorities said.

Note: First, be observant if you see two guys sitting in a van especially if they look out-of-place. If you are grabbed and forced into a vehicle, fight with everything you have because the second location you will be taken to will not be a good thing. As Dr. Ruthless explains, the second location is always more dangerous! Criminals have far more control over you at that location. Go ballistic but do not "go with!" Many women who have gone with their attackers have not been seen since!!

The man then tried to drag the woman toward the van, but she stabbed him in the neck with a ballpoint pen before getting away authorities said. Let’s hope they find these criminals and stick it to them. They need to be off the streets ASAP so other women aren’t in jeopardy of being attacked. The next victim may not be so lucky!

My recommendation for women is to learn how to protect yourself as part of your overall personal safety. Take a self-defense class and make it part of your personal protection/safety awareness. Be in charge of your life’s outcome. Don’t let some punk off the street decide that today your life ends!!

Dr. Ruthless has a great DVD Self-Defense Program called "Fierce & Female." This is a program you can use at home at your convenience. If you are in a high risk job, live a single life, and are female - that just about says it all! As a female, look at making self-defense training and protection a part of your life. By learning the self-defense techniques and strategies from Fierce & Female it could help save your life!!

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

For all your Personal Protection products - like Pepper Spray, Mace, TASER C2’s, Stun Guns - Go to: www.ThePersonalSecurityStore.com

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Self-Defense Protection - Banker Safety. Are You At Risk?

Courtesy of Personal Security Solutions, Inc. Women At Risk - Banker Safety

Banks and credit unions are made up of about 66% women employees. There are bank tellers, human resources, upper management, and a multitude of other professional positions within banks and credit unions held by women. One of the positions within the bank that seems to be extremely vulnerable is the bank teller. With the number of bank robberies increasing, even in small towns, bank employees need to be constantly aware and on alert to anything unusual or potential dangerous mannerisms of those entering the bank and notice.

If you work in the banking industry, what type of self-defense training do you receive from your company? Sure, a bank employee does not want to pull out a TASER C2 or pepper spray while someone has a gun pointed at them. But it is equally important that employees of the bank or credit union have specific self-defense awareness training and know what to do in these situations and how to protect themselves and those around them.

Due to the nature of the premises and location of a bank or credit union, this can create an opportunity for criminals who are desperate for cash. Keep in mind when you depart from a bank or credit union, the criminal may think you are carrying cash on your person. For those desperate criminals, $20 may seem like a lot of money.

Be Aware and Be Prepared!

As you leave the bank premises, always be aware of your surroundings. Notice the people you pass and those who may be loitering in the parking lot near your car. Be prepared with your pepper spray in your hand or at least where you can get immediate access to it. Keep a personal alarm and/or pepper spray attached to your car keys. As you walk to your car carry yourself with a confident demeanor. Let those with criminal intentions know that you are not going to be a victim so they may as well look elsewhere.

As part of your personal safety plan, take a self-defense or safety awareness training. It is very important to know how to protect and defend yourself if attacked or assaulted. Self-defense training can give you the confidence and self-empowerment needed in order to fight back. (Check out Dr. Ruthless’ self-defense training for women and men @ www.dr-ruthless.com).

If all else fails, consider being prepared to respond with some type of personal protection. Remember personal protection devices like pepper spray, Mace, stun guns or TASERs are all non-lethal devices not meant to serious injure or kill a person but only to distract or throw someone off-guard enough for you to get away to safety.

You - and only you - are responsible for your life. Protect yourself and save your life!

Stay Aware…Stay Alert…Stay Alive!!

For Personal Protection Products go to www.ThePersonalSecurityStore.com

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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

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?

By Beth Boehne - Story Created: Feb 27, 2009 at 5:57 PM EST

MISHAWAKA — In addition to the abduction of a 19-year-old girl on Tuesday, police want to know if Michael Lindsey is connected to two other attempted abductions earlier in the day. All three of incidents happened in broad daylight, in parking lots.

So we headed to Meijer with Mishawaka police Lt. Tim Williams to see what women were doing right and wrong.

One woman was watching at all times and had her purse by her side.

"It’s next to her, so she has it … she’s not worried about her cart, where it’s going; but she has her purse on her, she’s keeping her purse with her … when she came out she was looking around," Lt. Williams observed.

"Don’t roll your window down," he continued. "If you’re not in your car try and get in your car as quick as possible.

Read the rest of full story at - http://www.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=In+wake+of+abduction+attempts%2C+how+can+shoppers+protect+themselves%3F&expire=&urlID=34459013&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wsbt.com%2Fnews%2Flocal%2F40446242.html&partnerID=181031

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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Self-Defense - Fight Plan of Action If Attacked

Here is a video from Fight Like A Girl and Win that gives you some great ideas of potential weapons already in your purse that you can use to fend off an attacker, plus areas of the body to aim for to disable the attacker allowing you to get away to safety. If you are walking alone to your car or out late at night, have your weapon in your hand and be ready to use it if you have to. Trying to find a weapon in your purse - the "black hole" - may be nearly impossible if under attack. Be ready ahead of time and be prepared to fight if attacked.

Courtesy of Fight Like A Girl And Win

Over the past year I have written about how each of us needs to develop a written Personal Safety Plan of Action. This plan should acknowledge that personal safety is one of our #1 priorities and by establishing specific rules and guidelines it can help us avoid dangerous pitfalls that could put us in harms way. .

Your plan should include some common-sense guidelines like "being aware of your surroundings, being alert to various situations, listening to your inner voice when things don’t seem quite right, safety on the road as you travel in your vehicle, and more." These common-sense issues can get pushed aside as we become so overwhelmed with dealing with everyday issues, our jobs, our families, and life in general.

Attending a personal security and safety seminar can be a valuable part of your plan because it reiterates common-sense things you already know and brings back to the forefront the importance of personal safety in our everyday lives. As you sit in one of these classes you may get an "Ah-ha" moment when you hear something that you know you should be doing but don’t - for whatever reason. This is now the time to get back on track and incorporate these things back into your daily safety routine. Read more

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Be Prepared, Be Ready, And Know How To Fight For Your Life

If You Come Face To Face With An Evil, Violent Predator - Be Prepared To Fight For Your Life!

Back in the old days women were told if faced with a confrontation, physical attack, or sexual assault from a male prepetrator – don’t fight back you’ll only inflame the guy and that will make him madder and meaner. You were told to try and reason with the attacker – try to negotiate your way out of being raped or brutally beaten up - unfortunately many women were still violently murdered.

Not Today Ladies!!! You need to consider that there has been an increase in violent crimes and assaults against women – both young and old – in record numbers all across our country. And what are women doing to protect themselves from this offensive crime?

Women of all ages are starting to stand up and say “WE’RE NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE" and they are learning how to defend and protect themselves. Women are becoming skilled in self-defense and safety awareness techniques and finding that inner female warrior that says, “I’m not going to become a crime victim of some perpetrator’s whim!!” . Read more

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Murder In A California Parking Garage - Stay Aware, Stay Alert, Stay Alive!

Woman Stabbed To Death In Parking Garage

CENTURY CITY (CBS) ― Police searched today for a man who stabbed a Camarillo woman to death in the parking structure of a Century City high-rise office building.

Pamela Fayed, 44, had her throat cut in the garage at 1875 Century Park
East about 6:35 p.m. Monday, according to police and coroner’s spokesman Ed Winter.

The suspect was described as a male in a black, hooded sweatshirt and
blue jeans who may have fled in a red sport utility vehicle, Los Angeles police said.

Read the full story at: http://cbs2.com/local/Bloody.Century.City.2.782252.html

Just (2) postings ago I had talked about Parking Garage/Mall Parking Safety Tips. Two of the most vulnerable places for an attack or assault to happen is in a deserted parking garage or a shopping mall parking lot late in the evening. If you use city parking garages, be aware and be alert at all times. Read more

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Campus Safety For Women Starts With Taking A RAD Self-Defense Class

Video Courtesy of George Mason University for RAD Self-Defense Class

Ladies - Are you looking forward to your 2008-2009 college year as an exciting adventure? Is this your first year of college..or are you a seasoned college veteran? What a great time to be going to college - learning about new things, meeting new friends, and experiencing one of the greatest times of your life.

As a concerned parent who had both a son and daughter go through college, my suggestion for young ladies as they start the new school year is to check with your college/university to see if they offer RAD Self-Defense training and sign up. The class is about 4-weeks long and 2-3 hours one night a week. You learn about personal safety tactics, common sense awareness and self-defense techniques, and how to defend and protect yourself if attacked or assaulted. The more you know about defending yourself the safer you will be. Read more

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