Personal Protection - - post ideas here

mom2my2cuties wrote: These latest attacks on moms have gotten me to thinking - we really need to protect ourselves and our children.

When I go out, I have this product I bought in Texas when I was in school with me usually. It is a Pepper Spray/Tear Gas combo - Stronger than the stuff the police use and it changes the color of the skin because of the burn so the person is pretty easily identified. I feel better knowing that I have it. He showed us a demo - and god bless the guy from swat that subjected himself to that for us.

Basically in the demo - First they use pepper spray you can buy anywhere - doesn't really phase the guy that much. Second they use police issue spray - guy still comes at the demonstrator and can actually still grab him. Third they use the PAC stuff - and the guy gets maybe 3-4 steps in and goes down...And it doesn't wear off when you shower - it actually gets worse. And because of the tear gas and the effect on the nerves - it makes you start trembling (almost as a mild seizure)


What are some things you guys do to keep yourself safe?

amynicole21 replied: I used to have one of those things you kept on your keychain that would emit a loud, piercing alarm when you detatched the pin. I don't know what happened to that I liked it though. I also used to carry a pepper spray baton on my keychain. We sell all of that stuff at my company, so I have lots to choose from

gr33n3y3z replied: I know how to protect myself But I also have a knife and which ever pocket its in my hand is almost always ready
I also know and feel when ppl. are watching or following me

Crystalina replied: I posted this in another thread but I feel that the best protection is to be aware of your surroundings at all times. It's tiring at first but then it becomes so natural that you don't even know you're doing it. I do not have any type of spray anymore since Izabella has been old enough to find my keys. I kept them there. And to have one in my purse...heck, by the time I found it the attack would already be on. An attacker is not going to wait for me to find my spray. And I don't know about yours but mine had a safety lock. I have learned to use everday items or whatever may be near as a weapon. The best thing I have found if you are walking to the car (for instance) are my keys. If you carry your keys the right way it it very easy to poke an eye or get someones neck. You don't slap with the keys, you stab. You cannot have alot of keyrings and all that stuff. They get in your way. I carry my key by itself (I've also made plenty of extras incase I lose it ).
Self defense courses are also great. I participated in a demonstration where a 230 lb man held me against the wall by the throat. Just my stepping one way or another that man (no matter how big or how much pressure he is putting on your neck) will have no choice but to let go. Just by the victim moving their foot.The man loses his balance.
I also learned how to take that same man to his knees just by takeing his hand off of me and bending it a certain way. It's called Technique 3 and it hurts! We had to practice that over and over at the academy and my hand was swollen for 3 days.
Anyway, self defense classes are best. Any woman, no matter how small, can do these.
Ok, if there is a gun involved there really isn't much you can do but try to use your brains.

Hillbilly Housewife replied: When I'm walking alone I hold my keychain in my hand, with the keys between my fingers... so if I need to punch someone, 3 or 4 keys will be stabbed into them.

I also took self-defense classes, and know how to get out of a bearhug type hold, strangle hold, etc... with minimal effort and maximal effect.

But then again, I usually arrange not to have to go anywhere alone.

As for my kids - we have an alarm system that we use now, that chimes whenever a door or window is opened, and it's loud enough to wake us up. They know not to talk to stragners, and why, they know that if they walk away from me, that a stranger might try to take them...and that if ever they get grabbed, they need to bite, scratch, and yell "help - this stranger is not my dad/mom!"

punkeemunkee'smom replied: ITA with Crystal-being aware of your surroundings is the most important way to protect yourself but that being said it seems now that these dangers lurk even in familiar territory I try to be home by dark or as that will get harder now in winter-I make sure we do not have to stop anywhere on the way home if it is dark. There have been a few attacks in parking lots at some of the malls that we go to downtown & several of the grocery stores closer to home so I avoid those if I am alone with Tay. At home we have weapons and I know how to use them,Taylor is aware of them as well and well versed in the danger of them so please no debating about safety issues in our home We have one of the alarms that Amy Nicole talked about and I also have something called a Guardian Angel for Tay that if she breaks a barrier around me an alarm sounds (I switched the pieces around and I pin the alarm on her because that made more sense to me than my piece SQUAKING) We have had some situations that I felt uncomfortable in and unfortunately have usually been right-thankfully the proof has never happened to us-I pray that it never does......

Crystalina replied: I have also taught mine to yell and believe me, they are quite good at it. We also have a system for when we are at the store and they get lost. Down at their level everything looks the same and it's hard for them to find how to get around in the stores. I've told them to try to find someone who works there but heck, even I can't find an empoyee sometimes. I got down to their level one day in the store and realized that it's very confusing at their height but what I did notice is that you can always find the bikes. They hang from the ceilings. I've taught them to find the bikes and go there and I will find them there (if they cannot find an employee). The bikes are usually around the toys and a child in the toy section is not as much of a target as a lone child in the grocery or adult clothing section...ect. If we go to a store that does not have the hanging bikes then we come up with something else. We are getting them child friendly cells soon so that will help alot.

MyLuvBugs replied:
I hear ya on the people following ya! I get a creepy feeling when I'm being watched and followed. Also, my daddy taught me some techniques he learned in the National Guard to help protect myself, and I've also learned (from classes) how to use common house-hold or other random items (like car keys or hair spray) as weapons to protect myself. I used to carry a pocket knife around too, but not now with the kids. I fear one of the girls would get ahold of it someday and hurt themselves.

MoonMama replied: I've taken several self defense classes. And I too would be worried that somehow Braedin might get a hold of pepper spray etc. someday. But I do still worry a lot that something could happen. I don't think we are ever truly safe regardless.

luvbug00 replied:

ditto I pick my longest sharpest key and hold it this way.

mom2my2cuties replied: I usually do the key thing as well. As far as my spray, I have it on a pop off thing off my key chain so that way if the baby plays with the keys I can take it off quickly.

Nina J replied: I do the key thing as well. We have a burgular alarm, when we got it installed the guy showed us what it sounded like. It is SO loud, if it ever goes off I'll probably die of fright.

hawkshoe replied: I don't carry any weapon or thing to protect myself. I do make sure I am constantly aware of my surroundings. I try to park where it is well lit. I always lock my car doors the minute I enter my vehicle (before even getting my son strapped in his car seat) and always when I am out of my car (even if it is parked in my driveway). I never drive with my window open (for fear of car jacking among other things).