Expandable steel batons are affordable, dependable, and effective self defense weapons. Some people refer to them as telescopic , others as friction lock steel batons; in either case they have replaced the “billy club” in most law enforcement circles. For good reason, expandable steel batons are nearly indestructible; they last forever. In the closed position they are compact, only seven to ten inches; so they are easy to take just about anywhere. With the flip of the wrist they expand and lock into place (hence friction lock). The smallest model is 16″ in its expanded position, other models measure 21 and 26 inches respectively.

As a self defense weapon you want something that allows you to defend yourself from a distance. This is the main reason law enforcement has adopted the expandable baton. The length of my extended arm is approximately 27 inches, if I am holding the baton in its extended position then I have the ability to defend myself from a minimum of 42 inches (four feet) away. The further you can remain from an attacker the better off you’ll be. With the steel baton not only can you keep your distance but you can disable an attacker from a safe distance. Aggressive dogs present a very real problem to walker, joggers, and bikers. With a telescopic baton you can easily keep a dog at bay.

In addition to a very effective self defense weapon, the baton allows for an LED light attachment. The LED attachment screws right on the back of the baton. The attachment is very durable and has a 6,000 hour life.

Several months ago you heard the story of Jaycee Duggard; she was kidnapped and held captive for over 18 years by convicted sexual predator Phillip Garrido. Duggard was taken at the age of 11 and forced to be a sex slave to this “animal”. He also made her bore two of his children; Jacycee nor her children were not even allowed to see a physician. Garrido, tortured and abused Duggard and the children for years, all from the comfort of his home. He hid them in a large, fenced backyard where they lived in a series of tent like rooms that didn’t even have plumbing. Over the years law enforcement officers visited Garrido’s home many, many times. Because he was a convicted sexual predator, police were required to keep tabs on him. During the 11 year stretch no one had a clue as to what Jaycee and those kids had to endure daily.

This week another convicted sexual predator is making the news. Anthony Sowell, a convicted sex offender was arrested by Ohio police on rape and at least four counts of murder. As of late today the body count ten corpses have been found in and around Sowell’s home. The Cleveland Chief of Police made the following comment to the press “It appears that this man had an insatiable appetite that he had to fill.” It appears that Sowell, raped, killed, decapitated or cut up the victims, and buried or hid the bodies throughout his basement and backyard. Again, officers were required to keep tabs on him because he had been convicted of sex crimes in the past.

These are just two examples of convicted sexual predators who re-offended over and over again. Both committing truly heinous crimes. How many other sexual predators are out there offending time and time again? Many researchers feel that rehabilitation is not useful and that the majority of predators will re-offend. I agree with this assessment 100% and believe that we must take action to remove these criminals from society.

How do we prepare to provide our family and community with the self defense and home security necessary to minimize the chances of becoming a victim. In most states, unless you get lucky you won’t know how truly dangerous these people are. As a parent, grandparent, or caring citizen what are our choices when it comes to protecting our families and providing them with the necessary security?

SVP’s as they are referred to, Sexual Violent Predators, are the worst of the worst. Examples of SVP’s are those that abuse children, some as young as two years old; and serial rapists. These people cannot be allowed back into society but they are, time and time again. Both Garrido and Sowell were SVP’s prior to re-committing. There are options, castration, life in prison, and death by lethal injection. For me that’s it.

Most Psychiatrist’s will tell you that these people suffer from a mental disorder that can’t be cured. Some do say it can be “managed” but would you want an offender trying to “manage” in your neighborhood? Some of the program’s that attempt to help offenders “manage” take upwards of six years to complete. Even with this long term attempt at rehab the recidivism rates can be as high as 71%! I can’t afford to take that chance can you? It is time we demand a “zero tolerance” stance on sexual predators. Anything less is unacceptable.

Bullying in our society is at epidemic proportions. So many of our youngsters are the victims of bullies at schools and on the streets. Many youth go to bed scared at night and wake up terrified each morning if they sleep at all, as the result of bullying. Victims live in constant fear for their safety and well being.

By definition bullying is aggressive behavior that is intentional and involves an imbalance of power or strength. Often, it is repeated over time and can take many forms. Typically, victims are those kids that don’t seem to “fit in” or appear to be “different”. For example they may be overweight, have developmental or learning problems, or are very passive and unlikely to stand up for themselves and mount any type of self defense.

If you’ve had any experience with bullying you know that it can have tragic affects. In addition to physical abuse, victims can suffer emotional and mental problems as a result. Bullies on the other hand are prone to violence and over time the level of violence is likely to become more and more intense.

Facts About Bullying

Nearly 6 million kids in America are involved in bullying. They are either the bully, a victim of a bully or in some cases both. Males and females report involvement, though males are much more likely to take part in physical bullying such as punching, hitting, slapping, striking, or pushing. Females are more likely to start rumors, make comments about sex, gossip or try to convince others to exclude another female.

How Can You Help

If you are the parent of a child between the ages of 6 and 18 then it is very likely that they have experience with bullying either directly or indirectly. With nearly 30 percent of kids reporting either being bullied or bullying someone, the likelihood is strong that your child at least knows the school bully.

1. Get involved with your child, communicate and know what happens in their world day to day. Encourage open and honest communication by creating an environment based upon trust and love. You kid should feel confident that no matter what problem they are facing they can turn to you for help and guidance. If this does not sound like your relationship, today is a great time to make the change.
2. Involvement at your child’s school. Volunteer for school events and help out on campus. Get to know the administration and teachers. Like most things awareness goes along way toward invoking change. Focus on the social environment at the school. To reduce bullying, work to change the climate and the social norms with regard to bullying. Your job is to make it “uncool” to bully anyone…period.
3. There is always strength in numbers. Get different student organizations and clubs involved. Begin a series of articles in the school newspaper about “Bully Prevention”. Invite a strong, respected community leader to come and speak on the topic and reinforce the message that it’s “not cool” to bully. Create a support or help group for victims of bullies. The group should contain a mix of student leaders, parents, teachers and administrators. This group should offer and provide anonymous help and support if necessary.
4. Sometimes it is hard to get the “real picture”, especially for adults, regarding the atmosphere at school and in social settings. The use of anonymous surveys or questionnaires are a great way to help put the pieces together. If you are going through the effort to put a survey together, spend the time record and publish your findings for all to see.
5. Self defense classes are a great way to teach students how to protect themselves while building self esteem and confidence. A search of your community is likely to return several self defense courses; many free of charge. Encourage students to participate.

Remember millions of kids suffer extreme anxiety, depression, loss of appetite, and sleepless nights as the direct result of a bully. Studies show that the long term effects of this trauma can be very serious. So even if your child is not involved, your involvement in needed. Overtime you can truly change the culture and environment of the school for the better. You will be helping to ensure that every student has an equal opportunity to learn in a safe and secure educational environment without the fear and stress of a bully.

How safe are our kids on college and University campuses today? There is no doubt that the great majority of our higher education institutions are some of the safest places to be. The problem or concern is that typically a kids time on campus is only a few hours daily. They go to class, maybe go eat lunch and the rest of the day is spent off campus.

When a student leaves for college it can be a very difficult and emotional time for both the parents and the kid. For eighteen years they’ve lived under their parents roof and care. Though most have planned for this day it can still be very hard for parents to “let go”. The biggest fear for most parents relates to the overall safety of their kid.

Dangers off campus are real and unfortunately there are criminals who target college apartments and communities. Fortunately there are self defense products that are affordable, dependable, and very effective; when used properly these products have the ability to deter or prevent crime.

As a parent or guardian take the opportunity to communicate with your children about common sense safety and awareness. If you need a reference or talking points visit our safety tips page. Make sure your kid knows that you are there for them no matter what. Consider providing them with self defense and home security products that will help keep them safe and give you extra “piece of mind”. Our College Safety Pack is the perfect gift for any college age student or young adult.

The College Safety Pack includes the Runt 950,000 volt rechargeable stun gun, the Pepper Shot Triple Pack Defense Sprays, Hot Walkers Exercise Weights with pepper spray defense, a Dual Function Door Brace, Home Safe Auto Dialer Security and Safety Alarm, and the 4 in 1 Auto Emergency Tool.

At Guardian Self Defense, we are dedicated to increasing the awareness and education related to all aspects of child safety. Occasionally, there is a product or products that we investigate and feel has the potential to make a difference as it relates to child safety. Currently, one of the most prevalent dangers to our children is the internet. Children have the ability to communicate with friends and explore the world through so many mediums. At the same time, the internet presents extreme danger to our young people in the form of complete strangers, many of who prey on our youth.

INTELLISPY computer tracking software is a breakthrough in technology that gives parents and guardians the ability to see and track everything that your child does online. Now I can hear some of you now saying, “Isn’t this crossing the line? Are we invading our childrens’ privacy.” As a father I understand your thinking, but let me show you why you can’t afford NOT to keep close tabs on your children and their internet habits.

Do you realize how many children go missing in the U.S. each year? Over 800,000 children are reported missing each and every year, more than 2,000 per day. In addition, 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 10 boys will be sexually victimized before they tun 18. It is important for parents and guardians to be aware and alert. With this computer tracking software you can do just that.

Some of the excellent benefits of running this internet tracking software is:

• This is key logging software, meaning you get to see everything typed onto the keyboard; including but not limited to emails, instant messages, social networking activity, chat, etc.
• Screen shots are captured at one minute intervals, so you see snapshots of what your kids are seeing.
• You can choose to block certain website access; if you feel a web site is inappropriate for your child you can easily disable it.
• INTELLISPY software is completely stealth. If someone closes the program or shuts down the computer, it is programed to restart automatically. Basically, you are the only one who can turn it off.

This internet tracking software will increase your piece of mind as a parent or guardian, it is also likely to give you many opportunities to communicate with your children. Use this time to teach and coach them on what is right and wrong, normal and not normal and the very real dangers that the internet presents. The object is not to scare them, but rather to educate and guide.

I’m sure you’ve heard the recent stories of child abductions. In some cases the children are held hostage and sexually abused over time. In the high profile story of Jaycee Dugard, she was abducted is 1991 and held hostage in the home of her abductor for over a decade. She was forced to be a sex slave which resulted in the birth of two children.

Then there was young Haleigh Cummings, the five year old supposedly was taken from her bed in the middle of the night while sleeping in the same room with a seventeen year old caretaker. Most recently, the body of Somer Thompson was found discarded like a piece of trash in a landfill about 50 miles from her home. The young seven year old was abducted while walking home from school. Her killer is still at large.

These are the most disturbing of violent crimes as they target our innocent youth. Tragic, disturbing, sickening and outrage would be a few of the words used to describe the feelings of most parents towards a person capable of taking a child, raping them, assaulting them and killing them. Even more disturbing is that the threat of child abduction is very real and the prevalence is increasing at startling rates.

It is up to us, parents, guardians, and caretakers, to ensure the safety, self defense, security and well being of our children. Providing a safe haven for our children is our responsibility, as a result we all need to start today with a plan to accomplish this. I encourage you to consider teaching your children the following safety rules. Your kids should be able to answer yes to each of these questions.

I always check first with my parents or the person in charge before I go anywhere or get into a car, even with someone I know.

Simple, basic, easy to teach and learn, but absolutely crucial that your child understands this. If you think your youngster understands rule number one then test them. Have a family friend attempt pick them up from school, or try to take them to the game room at the mall or maybe for some candy.

Many of you will be shocked to find out how easy it is to get your child into someone’s car without your knowledge. This is not a time to get angry and scold or discipline your kids. Instead, use that time and energy to communicate effectively with your children, then practice over and over and over again.

I always check first with my parents or a trusted adult before I accept anything from anyone, even from someone I know.

Same is true here. Child abductors will often attempt to gain the trust and acceptance of your youth by buying gifts for them. Over time the hope is that they will become a trusted friend and this is when tragedy can strike.

I always take a friend with me when I go places or play outside.

The “buddy system” is a very good idea and both children should understand the importance of mastering these safety rules.

I know my name, address, telephone number, and my parents’ names.

Can your kids recite there full name, phone number and parents’ names.

I say no if someone tries to touch me or treat me in a way that makes me feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused.

Children need to know that it is ok to say NO to an adult or anyone if things don’t feel right.

I know that I can tell my parents or a trusted adult if I feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused.
It’s OK to say no, and I know that there will always be someone who can help me.
I am strong, smart, and have the right to be safe.

To summarize:

• CHECK FIRST
• TAKE A FRIEND
• TELL SOMEONE I TRUST IF SOMETHING IS WRONG

These are simple safety rules. Use them today to begin the process of educating your youngster against the dangers present in society.

• STAY STRONG, SMART, AND SAFE

As the father of a young girl, it is priority number one to make sure she is always safe with or without me. I can’t be with her 24/7, though I wish I could. What I can do is provide her with the awareness needed to deter and hopefully prevent any crime against her. Encourage your friends and neighbors with children to get involved. It is time for us as parents to step up and provide the security and safe haven our kids depend on.

Our prayers go out to the family of Somer Thompson. What kind of animal would perpetrate this type of crime against a seven year old girl? I woke up Thursday morning to hear the national news reporting on this story and it made me sick to my stomach. As the father of two young children, this hit all to close to home.

As I understand it the body of Somer Thompson was found in a landfill about 50 miles from her home. Police followed garbage trucks on a route near her home to the landfill dumping ground. After shifting through hundreds of pounds of trash police found the young girls body. The death was ruled a homicide and autopsy reports are pending.

What we know is that Somer was on her way home from school when she vanished. Somer, her sister and another child were making the mile long walk from their school in Orange Park. Evidently, Somer and the other child had an argument and Somer ran ahead of the others never to be seen again. Over 70 registered sex offenders live within a five mile radius of her home.

The person or persons responsible for this crime must be brought to justice. In my opinion they don’t deserve to live. We are dealing with a very sick individual here and until the suspect is brought to justice there will be sleepless nights.

Surveillance equipment used to be reserved for large businesses because of the cost, setup and expertise needed to operate and maintain. Less than five years ago when you heard the term surveillance or security camera you would probably think about shoplifting. That’s because most surveillance systems were owned by large brick and mortar retailers and mall chains. The major use to prevent external and internal theft, as well as various forms of fraud. The investment made in surveillance equipment was and is returned numerous times over in the form decreased inventory loss.

Today, due to enhanced technology, small businesses and consumers can easily afford the investment in a surveillance system. In fact, a growing trend in neighborhood and even personal home security involves the use of surveillance systems to monitor and record going-ons. Many neighborhood watch organizations are wisely investing in surveillance cameras to monitor the main entry ways into subdivisions. In addition to being a huge crime deterrent, these security cameras record everything that goes on 24/7. This can provide police with the visual evidence needed to prosecute or the lead needed to break a case.

Homeowners are also making investments in surveillance systems to add security and piece of mind. The options are many but a top quality complete 4 camera system is less than $1500. A basic system runs about $500. If you are serious about your home and/or business security, then surveillance is a no-brainer. Consider the fact that a violent crime takes place every 23 seconds and property crime every 16 seconds. This coupled with the fact that over 1 in 4 of us will be the victim of crime at some point in our lifetime, should be enough to get you excited about the benefits of surveillance.

Self defense products, personal protection and home security alarms are prevalent in most households throughout the US. To complete your self defense plan, surveillance is the next logical step. Consider what would happen today if someone invaded your home, what if a young child was abducted while playing in your front yard, or what if vandals decided to break into your vehicle. Most of us would have to be extremely lucky in order to have justice served. With a surveillance system chances are very good that the crime event would be recorded and captured.

I challenge you to research the many benefits of security cameras for your personal residence as well as business needs. It would also to be beneficial to your neighborhood watch or homeowners association to present the idea of installing surveillance cameras at the main entry ways into and out of your subdivision. You will be surprised at the number of individuals who would be willing to pay a fee to pay for this type of security service.

Each year the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) releases detailed crime statistics for the United States. As you might imagine the time necessary to “crunch the numbers” takes awhile. As a result the most up-to-date US crime statistics have just been released for 2008. If you don’t realize or believe that crime is a major problem everywhere in the United States, then you are about to be enlightened. It is amazing to me how so many of us just are not aware of the major problems that crime and drugs present in our communities daily. We get up and go about our daily routine “blind” to the fact of just how dangerous the society we live in is. Typically, when we realize the danger it is too late and a tragedy just took place.

Some real crime statistics to consider are:

• Every half hour a murder takes place somewhere in the U.S.! That means nearly 48 people are murdered daily.
• Rape and sexual assault are at epidemic levels and nearly half of all cases go unreported! Every six minutes a forced rape takes place in the United States. That is 10 victims per hour and 240 a day!
• Every 23 seconds a violent crime takes place. Nearly three per minute. Almost 180 per hour! Over 4200 per day!

Hopefully, this got your attention. If not take a minute and do some research at fbi.gov to confirm the accuracy of what I’m telling you. Think about this analogy for a moment. Most of us get up each and everyday prepared and ready to go to work. The motivation is to provide for yourself and family. The check you bring home helps provide basic needs such as food, shelter and clothing. Now consider that nearly one in four of us will be the victim of crime at some point in our lives. If you don’t make personal safety and home security a top priority in your life right now you are doing yourself and family an injustice.

So what can you do to make sure security is your top priority?

We recommend taking a real world, no nonsense approach to home security, personal safety and self defense. Don’t try to do too much and don’t do it alone. Remember the old saying about power in numbers? Well it is a fact, that there IS power in numbers, so use it to your advantage.

• Many local law enforcement agencies offer home security consultations free of charge. This means someone from the police department will come out evaluate your home and property. They will identify potential safety vulnerabilities and offer advice on how to add the needed security.
• Most communities have numerous non-profit agencies focused in some sense on community safety. Do a bit of research and you will likely find self defense training classes either free of charge or for a nominal charge. The benefits of this type of training are many. First, they are taught by licensed professionals and the focus is on awareness. Just mastering the valuable skill of awareness can be enough to deter and even prevent crime! The people you will meet and the relationships you will cultivate and make a real difference. It is amazing at what can be accomplished when a group of people come together with a common goal.
• Check into Neighborhood Watch organizations if one is present join, if not consider starting one up. The police can’t be everywhere and they welcome this type of crime support.
• Form partnerships within your neighborhood and plan to ensure that everyone is looking out for each other. If you can secure a handful of neighbors in a small neighborhood and maybe ten if you live in a larger area. These are safety partnerships, you literally look out for each other. Exchange important contact information and discuss what to look for and how to handle
• Consider investing in home security products. Portable and wireless alarm systems are dependable and cost effective alternatives available. You can easily secure doors and windows with alarms that will alert you of a problem, while deterring a would be criminal.
• Self defense products, such as pepper spray, can save your life. Purchase a good pepper spray, learn how to use it and practice, practice, practice.

Violent crime is prevalent in our society. Unfortunately, this is not going to change, in fact in all likelihood it will get worse as our economy continues to struggle. Millions are unemployed and drug abuse is at it’s highest level. You can be a difference maker, you can bring much needed awareness and attention to our crime problem. By following our “power in numbers” strategy and the no nonsense safety tips we listed you will have made home security and personal safety a top priority.

Do you know someone who has been victimized by domestic violence. Do you have a friend of loved who is a victim of domestic violence. The truth is that approximately 1.3 million women and 835,000 men annually are victims of some form of domestic violence in the U.S. Though it is very prevalent, domestic violence is wrong on every level, it is unacceptable and if you are a victim and reading this remember IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT.

You are not alone, your safety and well being are the most important thing. If you find yourself in a situation where you need immediate assistance call 911 or HAVEN 877.922.1274

Abusive relationships are so very dangerous and often lead to progressively worse injuries and even death. If you are in an abusive relationship you have several things to consider and think about. It is very easy and somewhat naive for me to say GET OUT NOW! In many cases, it is much more complicated. So let me say this, if you are in a relationship with an abuser they will not change. Do not think for a second that there behavior toward you will change for the better, because it won’t, in fact in most cases it will get worse.

Should you find yourself in a situation where you feel as if you can’t or won’t be able to get out, then you need to have a safety plan.

1. Gather all important and emergency telephone numbers and program them into your phone(s). Ask them to call the police if they hear angry or violent noises. Children should be taught about the importance of 911, how to dial it and what to say.

2. Make sure someone knows about the abuse. Wether it is a neighbor, friend or family member. Think of these people as your personal “neighborhood watch” They should know to contact police if they hear yelling or angry noises.
3. Consider purchasing aself defense product that you can learn to use effectively to protect yourself from attack. You will be amazed at the improved self esteem and confidence that comes with knowing you can and will protect yourself if need be. Purchase a good pepper spray, take time to practice, and educate yourself on the effects and what to expect should you need to use the pepper spray in a certain situation.
4. Self defense classes are offered in many communities at the YMCA, police departments, and even local colleges. In most cases you will find emotional support from others in the classes and in many cases these self defense classes are very cheap or even free.
5. Think about ways to get into and out of your home or apartment safely. Now practice these routes over and over.

If you are considering leaving an abuser you have more things to think through.

• Where would you go. Try to think of 4 safe havens you could get to, should you decide to leave for good.
• Identify the person(s) who could lend you money, clothing, and food. Communication with these people is essential as they are the ones you are closest to and trust the most.
• If you don’t have your own credit card, bank account and cell phone you need to work toward getting them.
• How would you leave? How would you get out? Now practice, practice. If you are thinking of taking the dog for a walk and not coming back then you should work through the logistics until you are confident that you can get out and get to safety.
• If children are involved, then you have to protect yourself without putting your kids in harms way. Domestic violence with children involved is so very complicated and dangerous. When kids are involved, then the urgency to get out and to get everyone to a safe house is all that matters. Consider contacting Haven for assistance and training 877.922.1274

For more help and resources contact the U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800.799.7233

Guardian Self Defense & Security Products is happy to announce two new professional pepper spray products by Defense Technology. Those of us in the industry know the name Defense Technology (DT) or First Defense and that it stands for exceptional quality self defense products. Specifically, DT specializes in aerosol and chemical defense sprays as well as tactical and police equipment and training.

We are happy to be carrying the latest from DT called First Defense 360º. The major benefit is you can spray this pepper spray from any angle and be assured of a consistent stream pattern. With new First Defense® 360º you could literally be standing on your head while spraying it and it will work in just the same manner as if you were standing upright.

The pepper spray is still the same premium OC formula. The propellant is compressed air with a technology called barrier separation. Simply put the there is a barrier between the compressed air and the OC pepper spray. No additional training or education is necessary and it is available for civilian use.

Features of First Defense 360º:

• Stream pepper spray pattern
• 360º sprays from any angle.
• Non-flammable, can be used with Taser devices
• Non-vaporizing
• Four-year shelf life
• Available in 1.47 or 3.00 ounces

Product specification sheet is linked below.

This just in…The Orleans Parish Prison in New Orleans was found to be in violation of the prisoners civil rights. The justice department found that the conditions within the prison were unconstitutional.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME! This is jail a place where convicted criminals are sent to do their time. This is not a high class hotel with wonderful amenities. The convicts inside the Orleans Parish Prison have been sentenced for crimes such as burglary, rape, assault, homicide, molestation, car jacking, robbery, drug crimes and much more. They are not what you would call model citizens by any means. Most are repeat offenders who have found there way in and out of the criminal justice system most of their lives.

The U.S. Department of Justice released a report last week that focused on lack of inmate safety and mental health care. How about the Justice Department concentrate on providing the free citizens of America a safe environment to live and raise a family. The mission of the Department is as follows:

To enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States according to the law; to ensure public safety against threats foreign and domestic; to provide federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime; to seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior; and to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans.

In this report it was noted that inmates at the New Orleans jail are not sufficiently protected from violence inflicted by other inmates or from “excessive use of force” by prison staff. This has got to be one of the most ridiculous statements I’ve ever heard and millions of our tax dollars went into producing the statement. Lets think about this for a moment, we take and put convicted killers, drug addicts, rapists, and other violent offenders in a place we call prison to pay for their crimes. These criminals come are from rival gangs and of different races. Do we really expect them to be on there best behavior and not kill each other? Then you have the prison guards, when violence breaks out should they just sit around and act like nothing is happening or would you rather them use the force necessary to regain order?

The report also criticized the prison staff for using restraints on the mentally ill inmates. Are you serious? In my opinion, most potentially dangerous population in the prison would have to be the mentally ill. Everyone of them should be restrained unless they were confined to a cell or under one on one guard supervision.

Don’t get me wrong, I believe these people are entitled to shelter, food, clothing, personal hygiene, etc. There are basic needs should be met, but anything above that is up for debate. Many of our homeless population are starving but they are not entitled to the three hot meals of a convicted rapist or murderer. Something is wrong with that picture.

If your like most of us we have been taught to fear electricity. We think about the killing power of lightning or touching a live wire and being electrocuted. The truth is those types of electricity can indeed lead to death. But in smaller amounts, electricity is harmless. In fact, our bodies need electricity to function. Everything we do requires electrical currents and communication between nerve cells and the brain.

If you want to tie your shoe, your brain has to send an electrical current down to a nerve cell toward the muscles in your hands and fingers. The electrical signal tells the nerve cell to release a neurotransmitter, the bodies communication chemical, to the muscle cells. The message tells the muscles in the hand and fingers to expand and contract in just the right way to tie your shoes. When you touch your shoe strings an electrical current is sent from the hand to the brain, telling you what the strings feel like. Think of the bodies electrical communication system kind of like that of a telephone network. Your brain is the main hub or network with communication lines going to and from every part of the body. Specific electrical currents are transmitted over the communication lines to deliver messages.

The stun gun works by disrupting this communication system. A stun gun generates a high voltage, low amperage electrical shock or charge. Think of voltage as pressure and amperage as intensity. So when you pull the trigger on a stun gun and make contact with an assailant the stun gun releases an electrical charge that passes into the attackers body. The high voltage, high pressure charge gives it the ability to pass through thick clothing and into the skin. Yet the low amperage usually about 3-5 milliamps, does not have the intensity to do permanent damage to an attacker unless it is applied for extended time periods.

In less than a second the stun gun begins dumping confusing electrical communication into the attackers central nervous system. The result is one of the following:

• The incoming charge combines with the bodies natural electrical signals in the brain. The original signal gets mixed with this outside electricity from the stun gun, which makes it nearly impossible for the brain to decipher the electrical messages. In essence the communication lines go down, causing confusion, loss of balance and temporary paralysis.
• Some stun guns and tasers use an electrical current with combined with a pulse frequency that mimics the bodies own electrical signals. This type of charge tricks the attackers muscles into doing a great deal of work very quickly and inefficiently. In a matter of seconds the attackers energy reserves are depleted leaving them too weak and fatigued to move for several minutes.

Simply put this his exactly how stun guns do what they do. All in a matter of seconds, they can incapacitate an attacker for several minutes; giving you time to get to safety. Unlike a handgun, stun guns won’t cause any permanent damage and are termed non-lethal self defense weapons. In general, a higher voltage stun gun requires less contact time to get the desired effect. For example, a 200,000 volt stun gun may take three seconds to fully incapacitate someone; a 650,000 volt unit may do the same thing in half that time.

Today’s stun devices are affordable and reliable. Most come with a true life time warranty. If they break, stop working, or won’t hold a charge you can send them back for replacement. Retailers would not be able to offer these type of warranties unless the products were made well.

Stun guns continue to gain popularity and believe it or not consumers are now using stun guns for both human self defense and animal control. Stun guns work extremely well against aggressive dogs and other animals.

Everyone should have a folding pocket knife. It’s one of those necessary tools that you should not leave home without. If you fish there is always a need for a cutting tool, something to help cut through fishing line. Hunters always have a need for pocket knives. Whether they need to cut through rope or to open canned food, knives come in handy.

At Guardian Self Defense we offer a nice selection of twenty affordable, quality pocket knives. Our new lineup offers something for everyone. All of our knives are .420 stainless steel and made to last. We offer two premium Damascus steel models, these are as good as it gets. You will be impressed with the quality and the prices.

Personal alarms serve one major self defense product role; to direct attention toward you. Finally, a multi-function alarm that is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and versatile enough to protect the doors and windows within your home.
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The next generation of wireless personal alarms is here. It’s called the UFO Alarm and it is a 7 in 1 total security alarm. They are available in 6 different colors. You are going to fall in love with this product!

The features include:

• A personal security alarm: You have two powerful personal alarm options. Should you find yourself in a “sticky” situation press the “panic” button to activate a loud siren alarm. You can also pull the wrist strap out activating a flashing strobe light as well as the siren alarm.
• Purse snatch alarm prevents “grab and go’s”. Put the included wrist strap around your wrist, then attach the snap hook to your purse, handbag, or backpack. If someone tries to grab it, the UFO alarm and strobe light will sound instantly, getting you the help and attention needed.
• A bright and handy flashlight. Hold down the light button to activate. Great added feature for night safety while walking or exercising.
• The UFO alarm can protect your home by turning into a door handle alarm. Just hang the included door knob strap on the door handle. Next, insert the closed alligator clip into the gap between the door and frame. When the door is opened, the alarm siren and strobe light will be activated immediately.
• Secure your windows with this multi-purpose alarm. Hang the door knob strap on the hook next to the window. Insert the closed alligator clip into the gap between the window and frame. Once the window is opened, the alarm siren and strobe light are activated.
• Protect your main entry way with the patented burglar alarm feature when you plan to be out or away. Works on any entry way door. If entry is attempted the strobe light and siren will sound.
• Protect the security of your office and desktop with the UFO alarm. The alarm function for drawers is effective for protecting private documents and valuables. If entry is attempted the multi-function alarm and strobe will be activated immediately.

This is a quality security alarm product that combines the functionality of 7 different alarms all in one. This is a must have product for college students as well as the elderly. The UFO alarms make unique and thoughtful gifts.

Pepper spray equipped ATM machines are here and here to stay. Pepper spray is currently being used in select ATM machines in South Africa. As part of a pilot program Absa Bank of South Africa has developed a pepper spray module that fits inside the ATM machine.

ATM technology currently uses the surveillance camera and a high tech software program. If the camera on the machine detects tampering with the card slot in an attempt to install a skimming device or explosives, the software kicks in and the ATM kiosk releases a debilitating cloud of pepper spray.

This comes after numerous Absa Bank ATM machines were bombed last year and another 40 were found to have skimming software installed. The thought process is that the unsuspecting criminals will be sprayed and become incapacitated long enough for law enforcement to arrive and make the arrest. The concept is a great one, but Absa is still working out the “kinks”. Three of its own maintenance workers were mistakenly sprayed while working on one of the units. Paramedics had to be called to the scene.

This is only the beginning of what I’m calling the tech generation of self defense and security products. Criminals soon won’t know what hit them! Technology is such that surveillance cameras can capture images of your vehicle including the license plate number of people running through red lights. A ticket with the surveillance proof is then mailed to the offenders home. In just the same way that the surveillance camera captures the license plate number; surveillance and software will deploy the defense products of the near future.

In the next few years the emphasis that will be put on home and personal security is going to be extraordinary. If I sent most of you a survey and asked you to list what you considered to be your top five priorities in life chances are security would rank right up there. As unemployment rates continue to skyrocket so to will crime rates. Terrorism will become a very real concern that will demand our attention and resolve.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Chances are you’ve been affected by breast cancer in some form or fashion. You’ve either been diagnosed or you know someone or a friend of a friend of a person who is fighting breast cancer. Well the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) is a tremendous organization who actively fight to extend women’s lives through education and early detection. The NBCF provides support and caring to those diagnosed with breast cancer as well as their family members. The goal is to provide cancer victims with fulfilling lives during their treatment and beyond. The survival rates continue to steadily increase and a cure may not be far away. You know as we do how expensive it is to conduct clinical tests and promising studies; with the hope of developing a cure or vaccine that would literally save hundreds of thousands of lives each year. To do that the foundation needs monetary support.

This year Guardian Self Defense & Security Products has partnered with Sabre Red, a leading manufacturer of high quality self defense products. We will begin offering the Sabre Breast Cancer Awareness Pink Pepper Spray keychain. A portion of all proceeds will go directly to the NBCF to help find a cure.

A donation to the NBCF is made for each pink pepper spray unit sold through Guardian-self-defense.com. The Quick Release PINK PEPPER SPRAY with detachable key chain allows immediate access to your defense spray when unlocking a door or driving an automobile. The most popular SABRE style, the NBCF PINK PEPPER SPRAY Quick Release, is a powerful 0.54 oz container delivering a ballistic stream which reduces wind blow-back about 8-10 feet. Approximately 25 shots are contained in the compact canister.

I challenge you to go out and buy one of these pepper spray units for everyone you truly care about. You will be providing real self defense and personal protection. In addition, you will be helping to be able to donate much needed money to breast cancer research.

If there is one group of professionals who are under paid and under appreciated it has to be law enforcement officers. Most civilians have absolutely no idea what these ladies and gentlemen do all in a days work. I have family and several friends who are dedicated officers and will do anything in their power to keep their community’s safe and secure. Almost daily you can turn on the local news or pick up a newspaper and find a negative “cop story” but very seldom do we hear about all the good they do.

Each and everyday they put their lives on the line for us. Every time a vehicle is pulled over, a domestic dispute is called in, or a robbery is in progress, these first responders are there. They don’t have the luxury of knowing what they are about to walk into. These men and women have parents, wives and children, just like we do. Yet while we go to the office each day these “heroes” go out to fight drugs, crime and violence.

We are starting a series of blogs titled Top Cops. Each week we will highlight at least one officer for their extraordinary service. Today it is San Antonio Officer Pedro Garcia, who saved the life of a critically wounded officer and helped rescue another during a shootout on the south side of San Antonio.

Last September Garcia and his partner responded to a call of shots fired. During a domestic violence situation to offender opened fire on three other officers as they attempted to arrest him.
September. Garcia arrived on the scene of a gun fight. He was able to provide cover for a fellow officer, enough cover to get him out of harms way and to safety.

In the gunfire rookie cop Brandy Roell was shot in the back. The rookie had only been on the force for one month. Garcia found Roell in critical condition, bleeding badly form the stomach and exposed intestines. Officer Garcia new he needed to get her medical attention right away. The problem he faced was he and the other officers were inside a area with a locked perimeter security fence. Garcia radioed to another officer and instructed them to “ram” through the fence with their patrol car which he did.

Garcia put Roell over his shoulder and ran her to the waiting patrol car. The run toward the waiting patrol car left him open and exposed to gun fire. He could have easily been shot and killed. Because of his willingness to put everything on the line for his fellow officer Roell survived and thankfully Garcia was unharmed.

It is officers like this that go out and take on the “war on crime” and help provide us all with the self defense and security we are accustomed to.

One of the questions I get asked the most is, “What is the best stun gun for women”? Though there are many different models to choose from and each has it’s own set of benefits, my choice is the Pink Pretender Cell Phone Stun Gun!

The Pretender is the ideal non-lethal self defense weapon for most females. It really looks like a cell phone, so it can be worn on the belt, carried in the hand or purse. You can safely take it anywhere you go, so you’ll always have it when it may be needed most. The Pretender is a very powerful stun gun, producing nearly 1,000,000 volts. It is also mega small and compact at only 3.8 inches tall.

This pretty in pink cell stun gun comes equipped with a 12 LED flashlight, which is an excellent feature and added bonus on the Pretender.

Features include:

• 950,000 volt Stun Gun
• Built in 12 LED Flashlight
• Two levels of protection to prevent accidental discharge.
• Safety switch must be in “on” position and “trigger” pressed to emit high voltage shock.
• FREE Batteries ($12.00 value) Three CR2 long life lithium batteries.
• FREE Leatherette Holster with Belt Clip ($10.00 value)
• Only 3.8 inches tall.

If you are a carrying husband or boyfriend, maybe a father or grandfather; one of the best gifts you can give a daughter, granddaughter, wife or friend is the gift of safety. What better way to say “I love you” then to provide them with a self defense product proven to deter and prevent crime?

Do you have a security system protecting your home, apartment or office? If not, the question I’d ask you is “Why don’t you?” Every 15 seconds in America a burglary is taking place. That’s nearly 6000 burglary’s per day. The odds of you becoming the next statistic are increasing daily. If you don’t take proactive steps to deter criminals your chances are become much greater.

Criminals don’t like obstacles, they don’t like things that seem difficult, most are looking for an easy place to get in, rob, and get out. Those of us who take steps to secure and protect our home and businesses are much less likely to fall victim. So if you have a home security alarm use it. If you don’t it’s probably time to purchase one.

Today’s home security systems are wireless, require no setup, installation is really easy, and the cost is very affordable. Consider the Mace Wireless Home Security System and you can quickly and easily provide high quality security to your home or small business.

With the Mace system you get a base or main control unit. Housed inside the base unit is the 105 deicbal alarm. The standard system is equipped with a door/window sensor, a motion detector and a remote control which allows you to arm and disarm remotely or push the “panic” button in an emergency. The most attractive part of the Mace home security system is that it can be customized to meet the needs of a home or business owner.

If you live in a small home or apartment then the base unit is probably all you need. If you live in a larger home or need to secure a business or warehouse then you are going to need more than one motion detector and window/door sensor. You can add up to 14 additional wireless sensors to the Mace security system.

You also have the ability to pre-program up to five emergency numbers into this security system. No more monitoring fees, when the alarm is triggered you can have the unit call 911, when the operator picks up they will here your pre-programmed message! This is an excellent wireless home security system and unlike wired units, if you move you can take it with you.

Hidden camera technology is absolutely amazing. Consumers can now afford to buy surveillance equipment. Even better, the quality, reliability and picture resolution is very good even on the “economy models”. Today, you can purchase a hidden camera in almost anything.

Less than a year ago most spy surveillance cameras were just that…cameras. Not any more, now you can purchase an all inclusive hidden camera unit! Yes, all inclusive, meaning not only to you have the high resolution hidden camera; in addition you can now capture and record audio, and the video is stored on a built in DVR. True surveillance just got so much easier.

To provide an example of the all inclusive hidden camera technology, take a look at this watch camera.

Yep, this looks like a real, full functioning wrist watch. That’s because it is, but this watch also includes a state of the art surveillance system built right inside of it. It is wireless and contains a color camera (The camera lens is actually under the number 2), microphone, power source, and 4 GB digital video recorder (DVR). The techology is simply amazing.

There is no installation or anything to setup. Just take a minute to read the instruction manual and your ready to catch someone in the act! When you are ready to watch the video or recharge the lithium battery just plug the watch directly into your computer’s USB port. That’s it, nothing else to purchase or configure. You will need a standard video viewer such as Windows Media Player. This hidden camera watch is compatible with all current Windows operating systems as well as Linux. The video is recorded in a AVI format, so simply “double click” the file and get ready to watch.

Do you suspect a cheating spouse? Maybe you would like to keep tabs on a baby sitter. You may even be a security or loss prevention professional who needs to catch a thief in the act. It all just got alot easier. Whether you wear it on your wrist and record or stash it somewhere. You’ll soon have the audio and video evidence you need.

Again, this surveillance system is not technical, in fact it is extremely easy to use. Most people can’t believe the price. When I ask someone how much they would expect to pay typically the price is at least double the actual. Check us out for all your complete hidden camera needs http://www.guardian-surveillance-cameras.com/dvr-hidden-cameras.htm

Whether you own a home, apartment, town home, or small business, one of the best investments you can make is in a quality surveillance system. Most people immediately think “I can’t afford a surveillance system!”. At Guardian Self Defense we say “You can’t afford not to invest in a surveillance camera system!”

Some myths regarding surveillance cameras include:

• Surveillance cameras or systems are too expensive.
• I’m technologically challenged, there is no way I can install a system
• It’s too hard to find correct and compatible components

Enhancements in technology have made surveillance an affordable option for homeowners and small businesses. Today you can purchase a high quality camera system for less than most insurance deductibles. In addition, many insurance companies now give discounted premiums if you show them you’ve installed a working surveillance system.

We’ve taken all of the guess work out of buying surveillance. We’ve completely pre-built several different systems, so we have something for everyone. By selling you a complete system we ensure that all components are correct and compatible. We are also able to offer bundle pricing which save hundreds, even thousands of dollars depending on the system(s) you choose. Installation is actually easy; all systems come with do-it-yourself instructions for both wired and wireless systems. Of course, if you prefer you can contract an installer.

The benefits of surveillance are many. Over time technology has allowed manufacturers to create quality, high resolution cameras that will even capture great images in the dark. DVR’s have replaced VCR’s, the difference is a DVR has the ability to digitally record all activity and then store on it’s built in hard drive. All of our DVR’s have full network capability which allows users to view or monitor there surveillance system from anywhere a internet connection is available.

A 17 inch LCD monitor displays all activity and can easily be configured to show exactly what you want to see. You can choose from wired or wireless security systems. Choose any of our completely pre-built systems; we have 4, 8, and 16 camera systems which come equipped with everything you need to start immediately.

Statistics show that just the presence of a camera makes your home or business a much more difficult target. Imagine the peace of mind you’ll experience knowing you have the ability to view just about any activity that takes place. For small business owners this can save huge amounts of money each year. Employee theft and shoplifting cost businesses billions each year. A surveillance system allows small business owners the ability stop many of the internal and external crimes that are robbing them of profits.

One of the most under utilized, yet effective self defense impact weapons is the police style expandable friction lock baton. Law enforcement personnel take full advantage of these batons using them daily. Civilians for the most part are just becoming familiar with the weapon.

The expandable baton is an excellent self defense weapon. Made of solid steel the handle is lined with a comfortable, durable and gripping foam. The baton is thickest at the base and becomes more narrow toward the top of the shaft. In the closed position it makes for an excellent “blocking weapon” as well as a pressure point tool. In the closed position the baton is compact, between seven and ten inches depending upon model. With the flip of the wrist the baton more than doubles in length and becomes a very powerful striking weapon.

Expandable batons use friction lock technology, which allows them to easily expand the unit while ensuring it locks in the expanded position to ensure it does not collapse when needed most. In order to collapse the baton you must strike the tip of the baton on a hard surface releasing the friction lock bearings.

One strike can literally shatter bone. A huge advantage of these police style batons are the extended reach, at up to 26″ in length you can create valuable distance between yourself and the attacker. This allows you to stay outside of the attackers reach at the same time you are able to strike at any and allow exposed body parts as well as their weapon. Concentrate on striking areas such as the elbow, knee, wrist, hand, ribs, and head. Strikes to these areas can be extremely debilitating and end confrontation quickly.

There are several types of basic self defense strikes you can use with impact weapons such as batons. The slashing strike is similar to that of swing a baseball bat, this is the most powerful type of strike but also takes the longest amount of time in order to complete the action and gain the momentum necessary to be effective.Jabbing or poking can be extremely effective, especially in close quarter combat. Jabbing to the abdomen, groin and chest are great target areas.

A thrust is a striking move that follows the motion of a uppercut punch. The thrust is an especially effective move from the closed position. A strike to the solar plexus or neck of an attacker can end an attack quickly.

Police batons are also great for self defense against aggressive dogs. If you walk, or jog chances are you’ve come across an unleashed dog that would like to take your legs off. Many people walk with a stick or piece of wood. Well the expandable baton is compact and convenient to carry in its compact position. Again, with the flip of your wrist it locks in the expanded position allowing you to keep that dog at bay.

Batons are nearly indestructible, they are made of solid steel and should last you a lifetime. So unlike other self defense products, you won’t need to replace them over time. You can certainly choose to spend over $100 bucks for some of the name brand batons, or you can spend less than half that amount for our Stun Master economy batons. The quality is excellent and you can add an LED light attachment which will turn your baton into a bright led flashlight. I encourage you to learn more by visiting our baton web page.

Chances are you or an acquaintance have been victimized by a stalker at some point in your adult lifetime. Statistics from the US Department of Justice show that an estimated 3.4 million people age 18 or older were victims of stalking last year. What exactly is stalking? Any course of conduct that targets a specific person with the intention of to cause that person to feel fear.

Some identified stalking behaviors include:

• making unwanted phone calls
• sending unsolicited or unwanted letters or e-mails
• following or spying on the victim
• showing up at places without a legitimate reason
• waiting at places for the victim
• leaving unwanted items, presents, or flowers
• posting information or spreading rumors about the victim
  on the internet, in a public place, or by word of mouth.

In a twelve month survey by the US Department of Justice they were able to obtain the following statistics.

• During a 12-month period an estimated 14 in every
  1,000 persons age 18 or older were victims of stalking
• About half (46%) of stalking victims experienced at least
  one unwanted contact per week, and 11% of victims said
  they had been stalked for 5 years or more.
• The risk of stalking victimization was highest for individuals
  who were divorced or separated—34 per 1,000
  individuals.
• Women were at greater risk than men for stalking victimization;
  however, women and men were equally likely to
  experience harassment.
• Male (37%) and female (41%) stalking victimizations
  were equally likely to be reported to the police.
• Approximately 1 in 4 stalking victims reported some form
  of cyberstalking such as e-mail (83%) or instant messaging
  (35%).
• 46% of stalking victims felt fear of not knowing what
  would happen next.
• Nearly 3 in 4 stalking victims knew their offender in some
  capacity.

As you can see stalking is very dangerous and should be taken with all seriousness. Our self defense products are proven to prevent and deter stalking crimes. At the same time our non-lethal weapons will give you the self confidence you need.

Most people don’t realize it but pepper spray and Mace brand products are legal in every U.S. state. I bet that surprises many of you. I say this because we constantly get legality questions about pepper spray and most individuals believe that it is a heavily regulated self defense product.

It is a fact, pepper spray is legal in all 50 states, however a few cities and states have restrictions on sizes, strengths, etc.. Unfortunately there are two states that we cannot ship to. In New York and Massachusetts residents are required to purchase defense sprays through a licensed firearm dealer in that state. In addition, New York residents can legally buy from a licensed Pharmacist. It all sounds a little “wacky” to us but it is what it is.

Michigan restricts the pepper spray concentration to 2%, which is a prime example of a huge misconception regarding pepper spray and Mace. There is no doubt that law makers feel that by restricting the concentration to two percent, they will in turn restrict the strength of the pepper spray. Not true!

The active ingredient in pepper spray and Mace are the peppers and the resin that is extracted. Like most other products there are many varieties of peppers; some are very potent and hot, but others are not so potent and hot. Pure pepper resin is rated in Scoville Heat Units, this is how hot it is in its pure form.

Take our Fox Labs product, they have become famous for there 2% concentration and heat rating of 5.3 million heat units. This product is a strong, potent and debilitating spray, yet it is legal in Michigan. A five or ten percent defense spray which has a lesser heat rating is restricted in Michigan which makes little sense.

If you live anywhere else in the US you can carry pepper spray as a self defense product legally and without problem. If you travel by air, please do not try to carry it on the plane, instead pack it in your checked bag and you won’t have any problems. The FAA and Homeland Security allow pepper spray to be carried legally in checked baggage.

If you have questions about an existing local restrictions don’t hesitate to contact your local or state police. An important thing to remember is if you elect to carry a lethal weapon such as a handgun your are taking on a HUGE responsibility. One that many people simply don’t understand. If you carry a good pepper spray instead you can stop an aggressive attack quickly and from a distance. Because it is totally non-lethal you don’t have to be concerned with causing permanent harm to an attacker. You will have great stopping power that will give you plenty of time to get to safety. Carry what federal and state law enforcement agents carry as a first level of defense.

Your safety is important to us and should be priority number one for you. You could become the next crime statistic or you can adopt some no-nonsense suggestions to help ensure personal security.

General Awareness and Safety

• Always trust your “gut”. If you feel that a situation is not safe go with your intuition and get to safety.
• Open your eyes and be aware of individuals around you and listen to how you feel about them.
• Train yourself to utilize your senses to always be aware of what is going on around you.

AWARENESS IN YOUR HOME

• Personal information is just that…be very careful before giving out personal information or information about what your day entails.
• If you are planning go somewhere you don’t normally go or somewhere that others would not expect; make sure to let someone know where you’ll be and when you should return.
• When arriving after dark, make sure to think ahead to ensure you drive up on a well lit home.
• It is very easy to see in through windows at night; keep your windows locked and blinds or curtains closed.
• Have a plan for how you want to answer the door. If you have a peep hole use it. If you have young children it is wise to make a rule that they don’t answer to door. If a service worker that you don’t recognize and did not expect appears at the door make sure to ask for identification.
• Get to know your neighbors; consider starting a neighborhood watch program. At the very least take each others contact information. Should you recognize something that doesn’t look or see right notify your neighbors and police.

AWARENESS IN YOUR CAR

• Locate your keys before you go outside to your car. Consider carrying pepper spray and have it in your hand and ready to use.
• As simple as it sounds, lock your doors when leaving the vehicle.
• Fill up the gas tank prior getting below a quarter tank. Always be aware of your fuel level.
• Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle just in case. Should you break down stay in the vehicle with doors locked and immediately call for help.
• If someone wants your vehicle it is safest to give it to them without resistance. Try to communicate with them and let them know exactly what your doing, for example. “Okay, let me unbuckle my seat belt” and “My child is in the back seat, please let me get her out.” Your safety is worth much more than a vehicle.

Have you every been attacked by an aggressive dog? If you are an outdoor enthusiast, a camper, hunter or fisherman you may have encountered bears. Whether its man’s best friend or a black bear; an unfriendly encounter can ruin everything.

As an animal lover it bothers me that you have so many people choose to own dogs; then act as irresponsible pet owners. Most dog attacks could have been avoided had the pet’s owner taken the appropriate steps to secure their animal. If you have problems with aggressive canines it would be wise to invest in dog spray.

Our Mace brand dog spray is EPA approved which means it is environmentally safe to use. More importantly its a powerful and painful oc pepper spray. Proven effective against aggressive dogs; Mace dog spray makes perfect sense. If you work or play outdoors, dog spray is a must have product.

Mace brand dog spray is equipped with a flip top safety device. Should you find yourself in a dangerous situation, slip your thumb under the safety cover and press down on the red button. The pepper spray is has an effective range of about 10 feet. One canister will last for approximately 10 one-second bursts.

If you find yourself in a situation where you need to use the dog spray, aim for the eyes, nose and mouth. MUZZLE dog spray is an organic pepper-based compound which causes extreme irritation if applied to a dog’s nose, eyes, or mouth. Effects begin within a few seconds of contact causing a dog to cower and retreat. It is normal for most dogs to roll on the ground and rub their eyes in an attempt to remove the spray from the facial area. The painful, irritating effects usually wear off 10 minutes, leaving the dog totally unharmed, but giving you the ability to get out of harms way.

Bear encounters can be deadly if your not prepared. Bear spray is proven to deter bear attacks and if used properly can be more effective than a lethal option such as a shot gun.

Guard Alaska bear repellent is the only bear spray available that is EPA approved for use against ALL species of bear. This is the main reason that Guard Alaska is the number one manufacturer of bear repellent.

How important is a good quality bear spray? Well many states now have hunting laws that require the possession of bear spray n areas where bears are common or likely. At 1.34% Capsaicinoids, Guard Alaska is one of the most powerful formulas available. The Alaska Science & Technology Foundation endorse the product. You can expect an effective range of up to 20 feet. The spray pattern is a high pressure fogger and the canister retains it’s potency for 3 years. Don’t go out to bear country without purchasing you can of bear repellent.

If you are looking for a premium law enforcement grade pepper spray defense product, look no further. Our Wildfire series will exceed all of expectations and with eight different models we offer something for everyone.

Wildfire is independently tested by Washington Labs and here is what one of their scientists had to say about the formula.

“One of the hottest sprays we tested! The Wildfire 18% formula is one of the hottest, and more importantly, the fastest reacting spray we’ve ever tested. This spray immediately permeates the pores of the skin, closes the eyes, and inhibits the respiratory system. What makes this product so effective is the purity of the pepper used in formulating this product…only food grade grade 3 million or 4 million scoville heat units pepper used.” Larry Harris, Washington Labs

There are lots of pepper spray products on the market today. Sometimes it can become confusing to consumers and some companies market their products as something they are not. All of the defense sprays that we carry at Guardian Self Defense undergo extensive testing to ensure safety and effectiveness. Wildfire is an excellent choice for both consumers as well as private security, law enforcement and crowd control type personnel.

We offer the product in 8 sizes which include half ounce keychain units, 1.5 ounce keychain units, 4 ounce canisters, 9 ounce and 1 pound units. Beginning with our 4 ounce sizes you have the option of a stream or fog spray pattern. In addition, our 9 ounce and one pound products offer pistol grip or fire master tops. Wildfire is a 18% premium OC defense spray and rated at 3 million scoville heat units. In English that means, you are getting a very powerful and potent product that will stop an attacker almost instantly.

One of the great benefits to using pepper spray is that it non-lethal and will not cause any permanent injury or damage. The other great benefit is you have the ability to stop an attacker from a distance. With Wildfire you get extended range over most other pepper spray products. For example, the smallest keychain unit will give you up to 10 feet of effective range and the 1 pound units will give you an amazing 30 feet of effective range.

I encourage anyone who is looking for a premium law enforcement quality pepper spray product to give Wildfire a look. You will be impressed with the selection, price and quality. God forbid you actually have to use it but if you do you can be confident that if used correctly it will work instantly and give you time to get yourself to safety.

Our country is in the midst of one of the worst economic situations in our history. Millions of Americans have been laid off, still others cannot find jobs. The unemployment rate is approaching 10% and if you consider Americans who have stopped looking for jobs, the real unemployment rate is over 15%! The end results have led to significant increases in crime. Many are desperate and will do whatever is needed to provide for their family. Many of today’s criminals are first offenders and feel as if they don’t have a choice. The situation is a sad one, but nonetheless, your number one priority should be to provide a safe and secure environment for yourself and family.

A great way to add security to your home and property is to purchase a surveillance system. Advancements in technology have led to much more affordable systems. That being said, they still don’t come cheap. Many individuals, consumers and small business owners, are opting to go with “dummy” surveillance cameras. Dummy cameras do an excellent job of deterring criminals and crimes such as robbery, theft, and vandalism. Dummy cameras are non-working security cameras that look just like the real thing but at a fraction of the cost.

Most of these fake surveillance cameras include the blinking red LED light just like the real thing. Quality models even come with housing and fake power cables. Today’s dummy cameras are nearly exact replicas of real working surveillance units.

If you find yourself in a financial situation that will not allow you to purchase a surveillance system consider investing in dummy cameras as a low cost solution. You may even consider a dummy as a cheap way to add on to an existing surveillance system.

The truth is they will not catch a criminal on video, but statistics show that the presence of security camera will prevent a great deal of crimes. Protect your home and property for a small investment today.

The RUNT mini stun gun is a wise choice for reliable non-lethal self defense. Stun guns have come along way in the last couple of years. Technology enhancements have led to very powerful and reliable units. Sure there are many stun guns on the market to choose from. In fact, a simple Google search for the keyword “stun gun” will return over two million web pages!

The RUNT series of stun guns give users a nice selection of both power and power source. Users can choose from three battery powered units and one rechargeable device. The battery powered devices offer 350, 650, and 950K volts. The rechargeable unit is 950K volts. Battery units are powered by long life lithium three volt batteries and the first set is included. The typical battery life is approximately 6 months and the cost to replace batteries is about $10. The rechargeable RUNT 950,000 volt stun gun arrived about a year ago and is quickly become one of our top five selling stun guns. To charge simply plug the unit directly into a standard wall outlet, no batteries to buy!

All RUNT series stun guns are the same size, only 3.5 inches tall. In addition, the RUNT look nothing like traditional stun guns. In fact, no one will know what your carrying unless you tell them. Very easy to conceal, the RUNT mini is very popular among our female customers. We warranty the RUNT for life. So if the unit stops working it is replaced free of charge. Most stun guns on the market are covered by one year manufacturer warranty’s and if something does happen you have to jump through hoops to have anything done. All of our stun guns come with a lifetime warranty.

Every once in awhile we ship out a “lemon” but the great majority of our stun guns (over 98%) never have a problem. Our RUNT stun gun has a 100% success rate. To date we have not received any complaints or requests for return or exchange on our RUNT stun devices! Stopping power, reliability, and price are what consumers look for and the RUNT series most definitely delivers.

Should you find yourself in a potentially dangerous situation, it is proven that self defense products such as the RUNT stun gun significantly improve your chances deterring or preventing attack. In many cases the sound it puts off will be enough to deter attack. If you find yourself in a situation where force needs to be used you’ll be impressed with the stopping power the RUNT possesses. Just a couple of seconds is all that is needed to overcome most attackers.

Stun guns are very effective against human attack, but even more impressive in use against aggressive dogs. If you spend time outdoors, chances are you’ve had a run-in with a dog. Walker, joggers, and bikers are often times harassed by aggressive canines. It can be a miserable experience to have to deal with over and over. If you are carrying the RUNT your problems are over. Just a split second of contact will have the “tucking it’s tail” and running in the other direction. Most dogs have an excellent memory so chances are the next time you go for that walk, the same dog will not bother you.

These are just some of the many benefits of carrying a mini stun gun like the RUNT. If you, a friend or loved one is in the market for a self defense product I encourage you to try the RUNT. Should you ever find yourself in a “sticky” situation, you’ll be glad you did.

The worst type of crime has to be those committed against children. Adults who take advantage of and manipulate children are animals. Sex crimes or molestations are on the rise, which means that our youth are at a greater risk today than ever before.

There are 400,000 registered sex offenders in the United States and nearly 25% are missing, meaning they are supposed to be registered but we can’t find them and don’t know where they are living. Not surprising the great majority of sex offenders are adult males (96%). Rareyly are the offenders of young victims strangers. Statistics show that in just 3% of reported sexual assualts were strangers the offenders. So in almost all cases these animals are people you know and often trust.

1 in 5 violent offenders serving time in a state prison reported having victimized a child.
-BJS Survey of State Prison Inmates, 1991.

2/3 of all prisoners convicted of rape or sexual assault had committed their crime against a child.
-BJS Survey of State Prison Inmates, 1991.

In an attempt to expose these criminals for what they are we have decided to begin profiling some of the FBI’s most wanted for all to see.

Wanted for Attempted Child Molestation, Dangerous Crimes Against Children

Mr. Brantz is a convicted sexual predator and wanted for child molestation in Arizona. This animal was convicted of molesting a familiy member and juvenile. He was sentenced to 5 years of which he served all of 6 months. Upon his release he is believed to have molested another family member under the age of 15. He’s been on the run but it’s time that justice be served.

Wanted for Criminal Sexual Conduct

Curtis Lee Brovold is wanted for his alleged sexual molestation of a 14 year old girl. He met this girl on the Internet in February of 2000. According to reports he used the Internet (mostly) to communicate with the girl. After a 6 month online relationship, Brovold flew to the young girl hometown. He took her to a motel and engaged in numerous sex acts. Instead of appearing on his court date, he ran and is still running today.

Together we can make a difference and bring these animals to justice. The personal security of our youth depends on it.

TASER® technology is becoming extremely popular with today’s security conscience consumers. Less than five years ago the TASER® was reserved mostly for law enforcement agencies. Not the case any longer.
TASER® devices are now available to law abiding citizens as a means of non-lethal self defense. The TASER® C2 is the civilian model of choice (there are others) and the reason is the size, the price, and the awesome stopping power. If you are not familiar with the product or you want more information visit us for much more information.

If you are familiar with TASER® we’ve put together an FAQ that may help you decide if this is the right self defense product for you.

1. What is a TASER C2™ device?

A TASER C2 is a small hand held personal safety weapon that is very effective at stopping attacks up to 15 feet away. It works by shooting out two probes; the probes deliver an electric shock that makes muscles lock up. The result is temporarily incapacitation of the attacker, allowing you to get out of harm’s way and call 911.

2. What is the Lifetime Replacement Guarantee?

God forbid you have to use the TASER C2 to protect yourself; but if you do and it is not recovered, send TASER International a copy of the police report showing that you used your TASER C2® to protect yourself, and TASER will replace your unit free of charge*. Your life is worth more than the cost of a TASER C2

*Applies only to incidents that occur in the United States.

3. Is it legal to carry a TASER C2 device?

In most, but not all states. TASER devices are restricted from possession in Washington, DC, HI, MA, MI, NJ, NY, RI and WI. Also, it is illegal for TASER devices to be carried or shipped out of the United States.

4. Do I have to register my TASER C2 device?

Yes. TASER devices are “inactive” at the time of purchase. The owner is required to register the device in order to “activate” it. Registration requires you to pass a felony background check before receiving the activation code. The process is very quick and easy. This can be completed over the phone or online; there is a one-time registration fee of $9.95.

5. Are TASER electronic control devices considered firearms?

TASER devices are not considered firearms by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATF) because the TASER cartridge uses compressed, inert nitrogen gas to launch the probes instead of gun powder.

6. Can I bring a TASER C2 device with me on a plane?

TASER devices cannot be carried onto a plane; you can however include the TASER device in your check baggage if you are traveling domestically to a state that allows possession.

7. Is the TASER C2 device the same model used by law enforcement?

Exactly the same technology but the civilian and law enforcement models are different. The TASER C2 is designed for use by the general public and utilizes the same technology and stopping power as the law enforcement model, but in a smaller, easier-to-use size.

8. What if I miss my target?

In a situation where you would miss the intended target with the projected probes, the TASER device has a backup feature that allows it to be used as a direct-contact electronic control device or stun gun.

9. What are AFID tags?

AFID are Anti-Felon Identification tags. In a proactive effort to discourage illegal use of the TASER device; each TASER cartridge contains 20-30 small, confetti-like tags that have the serial number of the TASER cartridge imprinted on them. Should the TASER device fall into the wrong hands or if it is misused, law enforcement will be able to identify the registered owner.

10. How many times can I use a TASER cartridge?

Each TASER cartridge can be used once; be sure to carry additional cartridges with you.

11. How does the TASER device shoot out the probes?

The technology used to project or shoot out the probes is actually compressed and inert nitrogen.

12. How do I get more information?

For more information visit our TASER C2 page.

I would think almost everyone has heard about Crime Stoppers and the success the program has had nationwide. How does it work? Well it’s very simple in theory; Crime Stoppers pays cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of anyone responsible for Felony Crimes, Recovery of Stolen Property or Illegal Narcotics. The really great thing is you don’t have to give your name in order to collect the reward! There are over 1200 community based Crime Stopper programs worldwide. That number continues to grow.

In reality there is always someone who has a tip or information that can help solve a crime. These are the individuals who can call anonymously to Crime Stoppers and provide the information that will help bring criminals to justice. The “road block” that law enforcement runs into is witnesses to crimes will not come forward and provide information. The reason? Most are afraid for there safety, scared that if they come forward the criminals will retaliate. In addition, many take the attitude that it doesn’t concern them or they are simply reluctant to get involved.

The Crime Stopper programs are successful because they allow people the opportunity to come forward and give information anonymously. They don’t have to speak to the police, don’t even have to give there name, and are not required to testify in court. The cash awards are donated and help to motivate people to do the right thing.

One of the newer programs is called Campus Crime Stoppers. This program encourages parents and community leaders to support your school and students in developing the Campus Crime Stoppers Program in your neighborhood school. This applies to all levels through higher education and the purpose is simple yet effective. This program encourages children and young adults to report crimes to a parent or school official or anonymously by calling the Campus Crime Stoppers Program.

Crime Stoppers is an innovative and proactive program that makes a difference in communities. The organization is non-profit, everything they do is related to personal security, home safety, and reducing violence and crime.

A program called Faith Based Crime Stoppers is really picking up steam. These organizations are part of the local church and the purpose is to address crime by obtaining information from individuals who care about the welfare of their communities.

Still another program is titled One Gun, One Arrest, One Grand. This is an initiative to try and stop gun violence and remove an effort to help curb gun violence and remove illegal firearms from our streets. Callers who provide information leading to the arrest and indictment of a suspect and the recovery of the gun used to commit a crime will receive cash benefits.

The ability to defend yourself and your loved ones is paramount should trouble arise. Many individuals choose non-lethal self defense products. The reason…they are non-lethal, meaning they cause no permanent damage or long term injuries, but they get the job done quickly and efficiently. The most popular self defense products are pepper spray, Mace, stun guns and taser devices.

We live close to LSU and today I was driving by “the lakes”. Its a beautiful place just off campus with sidewalks and bike trails. It is a very popular exercise spot, especially when school is in. As I’m driving I watching as I pass all these people, young and old. Some are jogging, others are walking and still others are biking. I noticed that many were carrying keychain pepper spray and I spotted a few personal alarms. I also noted that many appeared to be carrying nothing at all and many were exercising alone.

What if you forgot your pepper spray today and find yourself jogging alone when trouble strikes? Would you be an easy victim or target for criminals. I often advocate learning to defend yourself against an attacker should the need arise. Many police and law enforcement officials offer some excellent classes. Some are even free of charge! If this sounds interesting to you then please contact your local police or sheriff’s department to see what they have to offer.

In many cases I’m told that those classes are intimidating. Others have time conflicts that prevent them from being able to attend. Whatever the reason, it’s no reason not to learn self defense. We offer 19 self defense fighting dvd’s that cover the gambit of fighting techniques. You will find anything from hand to hand combat, to karate, to mixed martial arts. All of these DVD’s are taught by some of the best fighters in the world. You keep to learn from them one on one in your home and on your time schedule. This is an option that works really well for many of today’s busy families. You will be impressed the skills you can attain in a relatively short period of time. If you are committed to watching the DVD’s and then practicing what you’ve learned; you will pick up high level self defense techniques that could literally save your life. So in addition to that pepper spray or stun baton, consider taking a class or buying a specialized DVD that will help you learn to defend yourself and increase your overall self confidence level and your peace of mind.

Do you sell your home as SECURE to criminals who would like to rob you blind or cause harm to your family? Sounds funny, but its not. Each day, for the most part, each of us attempt to “sell ourselves” to our employers, coworkers, and clients. A former boss once told me, “Treat each day like your on a job interview”. That means you approach every day with a plan of action, with a purpose; it’s to show yourself in your best light.

How many of you think this way when it comes to home or personal security? I would gather to say not many, and that’s because safety and security is not a priority for most, unless you or someone close to you has been a victim. By selling your home as SECURE you are simply sending a message to criminals that says “I’ve done my homework, I have a plan.” By doing so you will effectively deter criminals and create a safer more secure home.

It’s really not difficult or expensive, but it does help to have someone point out potential trouble spots. Start with your entry ways. Did you realize that the majority of home burglaries occur by way of a main entry way? So I pays to ensure that at least the front and back doors are secure. What is the door made of? Is it fiberglass or wood? If so consider upgrading to a steel door. In addition to the steel door look for added security features such as steel bearing hinges and steel recessed door jambs. If you cannot afford to upgrade to a steel door consider going with a door brace to further secure your entry ways.

The windows are the next things to look over. Do you have working locks on each window? If not you can easily secure them with a screw or nail from the inside. The cost is almost nothing, but leaves you vulnerable to fire. You can purchase a window lock from most hardware stores. There are also window alarms that will alert you by sounding a high decibel alarm. Both options don’t cost much and will help “sell” your home as secure.

Finally, consider investing in some security decals and maybe a few yard signs. This really “sells” your home as being secure to would be criminals. Place the decals on each prominent window and entry way. The yard signs should also be displayed right in the front and back of the home. Don’t forget about the garage doors.
These simple steps will help provide you with added peace of mind, while “selling your home as secure” to crooks!

Unless you’ve been under a rock for the last few weeks surely you’ve heard of Jaycee Dugard. She was kidnapped as a young child while walking to catch a school bus. She’s was held as a sex slave by her captive, a pedophile named Phillip Garrido. Police made the discovery a few weeks ago at Garrido’s home. Soon the story was all over the news. This case made me physically ill; just the thought of having a daughter kidnapped and tortured for 18 years is too much.

Garrido was a Registered Sex Offender and subject to visits and questioning from parole officers over the years. On numerous occasions each year Garrido was visited by law enforcement. Never in the 18 years of visits did anyone stumble upon something that might raise suspicion? That in itself points to a system that is broken. It is a known fact that over 75% of pedophiles re-offend; that being the case wouldn’t you think officers would approach visits expecting to find problems. If 75 out of every 100 re-offend then I would be surprised to NOT find a problem. Does anyone really think these people can be treated or rehabilitated? In my opinion the answer is no.

I am regular visitor to the National Sex Offender Registry. The system gives users the ability to find out the offenses, addresses, and history of registered sex offenders. As a result of the system I know that we have 6 registered pedophiles within a 2 mile radius of our home. Enhancements to the system make it possible for you to put in an email address or phone number to determine if it is associated with a sex offender. If you notice that your child is communicating with someone you’re not familiar with, plug in the phone number they are calling from or the email address used. This is just another proactive tool to help you keep your children safe.

To be honest, as the father of young children I feel like my hands are tied in some senses. Because these pedophiles are allowed to live wherever they please, the residents are being held prisoner within the community they live in. If you have children and know that these “animals” are close by, you are certainly going to keep a tight leash on your kids to ensure there well being.

So what can we do within the community to raise awareness, while taking back our neighborhoods and creating the safe haven that our kids deserve. First, go to the National Sex Offender Registry http://www.familywatchdog.us/. Find out who they are and where they live. Make sure that everyone within your community is aware. Consider starting a neighborhood watch organization. Create newsletters, emails and web communication to get the word out. Follow some basic, common sense tips to ensure safety.

Common Sense Tips to Keep You Safe
Parents

• Always know where your children are.
• Put your children’s emergency identification (name, address, phone number) on their clothes.
• Teach your children your home phone number and to how call 911 if there is an emergency.
• Agree on a specific time when children must return home.
• Contact law enforcement authorities immediately if there is any suspicious or unlawful activity.
• Purchase and watch The Safe Side video with your children.

Children

• Always tell your parents where you are going.
• Never enter any home without getting your parent’s permission first.
• Never get into any vehicle, unless your parents know and have said it’s OK.
• Always wear reflective clothing at night.
• Never approach any house that is not well lit.
• Remember anything weird that an adult says or does to you and tell your parents immediately.
• Run away from people who offer you candy or other treats or want you to help look for their puppy or kitten.
• Scream, run and fight if anyone tries to grab you or make you to go with them.
• Don’t play in areas that you are unfamiliar with.
• Stay on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, always walk facing traffic.

Some communities are investing in surveillance systems to record activities within their neighborhoods. Most make sure to capture entry/exit ways. If a crime occurs chances are you will have video evidence to help law enforcement make an apprehension. The presence of surveillance equipment is a deterrent in itself. Parents and guardians should consider carrying some type of self defense product. You’ll have the means to protect yourself and family if necessary and the peace of mind knowing you can.

Not many people realize how often a home is burglarized or robbed in the US. Would you believe that every minute in the US a robbery is taking place. A forced entry home invasion nearly every five minutes! We live in a dangerous society with opportunistic criminals. Criminals are looking for the easy target and passive victim. There are inexpensive home protection products that make for extremely wise investments.

For about a dollar you can purchase window security decals. Just by placing these home security stickers on prominent windows and entry ways you send a message to would be criminals. In many cases the little things like decals that mean the difference. A criminal is likely to choose a home who they don’t think in protected.

A door brace will help fortify hinged doors as well as sliding glass doors. Made of 20 gauge steel a door brace could be the security device that prevents a home invasion or forced entry. Again, these are very simple, easy to use home security products and the cost in most cases is less than twenty dollars.

Consider a door stop alarm; you’ve seen these before, they are wedge shaped, you put under the door. If someone attempts entry it prevents entry and sounds a loud 130 decibel alarm. The alarm will get your attention while deterring further entry.

Simple wireless motion alarms can protect an entry way, or purchase one for each room in your home and have consistent protection. Motion triggers a high decibel alarm, some models allow you to pre-program telephone numbers into a keypad. When motion is detected the “autodialer” function will begin calling your pre-programmed numbers.

Magnetic window and door alarms are very simple and effective home security devices. These devices are two separate pieces. One part attaches to the door or window and the other portion mounts on or near the frame. When the door or window is closed the two parts come together. Upon opening the magnetic connection is broken which sounds the alarm.

The home protection products discussed above are some of many items available. The cost for these type of products is very inexpensive, with most being less than $20.00. If your home, town home, or apartment is not protected, I suggest making this a priority.

Self defense products continue to grow in popularity. They are relatively inexpensive, very effective, and don’t require much practice to master. I heard many say you just can’t go wrong with non-lethal self defense products. The fact is you can and probably will if you don’t do your homework.

So your considering purchasing a self defense product for yourself, a family member or friend. Great, so what is the best product? What do you recommend? These two questions definitely make my FAQ! Most individuals, including myself realize the responsiblity and potential consequences of using a handgun for self defense. On the other side of the spectrum you have martial arts or self defense training. These courses are great and can teach you techniques that could save your life. The only downside is in order to become proficient you need to put in the time. This is a very real obstacle in todays society, not enough time.

More and more individuals are choosing to go the non-lethal self defense route. So what are the different available products and which are most effective? The truth is there are just too many products to list here, the major players are pepper spray, stun guns, and taser devices.

Pepper spray is the number one selling non-lethal self defense product. Pepper spray and Mace are highly effective personal protection products. They work almost immediately against both humans and dogs. The cost of a good OC chemical spray is very affordable, the self life is typically three to four years, and the effective range averages 10 to 12 feet. If you haven’t had the privilege of being sprayed, then you just don’t know what your missing! All law enforcement agencies count on pepper spray as a first line of defense. That in itself tells me everything I need to hear. Like anything you always want to use what the professionals use.

All of our pepper spray products are made in the U.S. Be very cautious of any pepper spray manufactured overseas. All defense sprays are not the same. Many companies put a lot of cheap junk in their sprays and cut corners with the propellants. Every spray that Guardian Self Defense carries is extensively tested and meets rigorous quality control standards.

Pepper spray does have some cons, as no self defense product is perfect. There are different spray patterns with the most popular ones being a stream and fogger. With a stream pattern a user can expect the spray to come out in a straight line. Typically, the range is a little greater with a stream, but users need to practice as accuracy is critical. For spray to be effective you need to aim for the eyes, nose or mouth.

A fogger pattern comes out cone shaped and accuracy is not a concern. Foggers are great for crowd control or dealing with multiple attackers. Users do need to be concerned with potential blow back when spraying into a stiff wind.

The popularity of stun devices has increased as the technology has improved. Stun guns are much more effective and reliable today then just a few years ago. High voltage, low amperage make the stun gun a very effective short term non-lethal self defense product. If you’ve been shocked then you know why they work, if you haven’t it is hard to describe the feeling. If you’ve ever bumped your “funny bone” multiply that by like a million and transfer the feeling throughout your whole body. A two to three second shock will leave the average man on his back, disoriented, and weak. The effects only last about 5 to 10 minutes, which is plenty of time to get to safety. Stun guns are excellent for protection against aggressive animals especially dogs.

The biggest con related to stun guns is you have to actually touch a person to get the desired effect. That means you have to get very close to an attacker which can be dangerous. This is where TASER technology takes over. The Taser once reserved for law enforcement professionals, is now available for civilian use. For example the C2 Taser is small, compact, powerful, and has an effective range of 15 feet.

When you fire a Taser two sharp metal probes are fired outward toward the attacker. The probes are electrified and have immediate stopping power. Independent testing has compared to stopping power to that of a 9mm handgun, without the potential lethal effects. With the Taser if you happen to fire and miss; you can either pop on another cartridge (takes about 2 seconds) or if you don’t have time the Taser becomes a very high powered stun gun. The drawback of the Taser is price which averages over $300 for the C2 civilian unit.

Of course there are many, many other products that work very well, but these three account for over 90% of non-lethal defense purchases. If you are serious about protectinig yourself and family, do your homework, choose the product that best suites your needs, then practice, practice, practice.

Each year Morgan Qunito Press publishes the Most Dangerous States In America. Well the 2009 rankings are out and we’ve summarized the findings below. The rankings are based on numerous factors, with the most obvious being violent crime per capita. Did your state make the list? Our home state of Louisiana took home the dubious distinction as being the second most dangerous state in the country to live in! Now that’s something to be proud of, even better both New Orleans and Baton Rouge ranked in the top ten of the most dangerous metropolitan areas to live in.

TOP TEN MOST DANGEROUS STATES IN THE COUNTRY

No. 1: Nevada
Sadly enough, Nevada has held the number 1 spot for six consecutive years.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 8
Burglary: 8
Murder: 6
Motor Vehicle Theft: 1
Rape: 7
Robbery: 1

No. 2: Louisiana
Our home state went from the tenth most dangerous in 2007 to second most dangerous in 2008 and we’ve held on to number two for 2009! Louisiana is the murder capital of the nation.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 2
Burglary: 3
Murder: 1
Motor Vehicle Theft: 17
Rape: 24
Robbery: 18

No. 3: South Carolina
Ranked number three South Carolina has the highest rate of assaults in the country.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50)

Assault: 1
Burglary: 4
Murder: 5
Motor Vehicle Theft: 14
Rape: 10
Robbery: 17

No. 4: New Mexico
New Mexico’s has serious crime problems.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 5
Burglary: 9
Murder: 4
Motor Vehicle Theft: 7
Rape: 2
Robbery: 22

No. 5: Florida
Tourist friendly Florida? The fifth most dangerous state in the nation is sure to feel the decrease in tourism as a result.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 6
Burglary: 6
Murder: 12
Motor Vehicle Theft: 11
Rape: 20
Robbery: 3

No. 6: Tennessee
Tennessee ranks in the top five in both assault and burglary.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 3
Burglary: 5
Murder: 15
Motor Vehicle Theft: 18
Rape: 17
Robbery: 8

No. 7: Alaska
Alaska is plagued with having the highest number of rape cases. There could be a correlation with alcohol abuse.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 4
Burglary: 34
Murder: 15
Motor Vehicle Theft: 16
Rape: 1
Robbery: 34

No. 8: Arizona
Arizona made some improvement, as a result they went from number five to number eight on the dubious list.
Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 19
Burglary: 14
Murder: 8
Motor Vehicle Theft: 2
Rape: 32
Robbery: 14

No. 9: Maryland
Maryland has the second-highest murder and robbery rate.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 9
Burglary: 23
Murder: 2
Motor Vehicle Theft: 6
Rape: 45
Robbery: 2

No. 10: Michigan
Michigan has two of the most dangerous cities in America ini Detriot and Flint. Unfortunately, due to the extreme economic downturn in the state they are sure to move up next year.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)
(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)
Assault: 12
Burglary: 17
Murder: 10
Motor Vehicle Theft: 9
Rape: 3
Robbery: 19

We hope you were lucky enough to not see your state listed; but it really doesn’t matter as crime in general is on the increase. Violent crime continues to spike, the combination of the economy, culture and drug/alcohol abuse. When can we expect things to get better? I don’t see that happening. I see home and personal security becoming one of this nations number one priorities over next decade.

Billions of dollars are already spent each year by consumers and business to protect themselves and investments. These amounts are likely to double or triple over the next ten years. Surveillance systems will become common place in homes, apartments, and town homes. As a way to deter crime as well as help to help catch and prosecute criminals.

Advances in non-lethal self defense products will continue and taser like technology will be improved upon. Defense sprays such as pepper spray and Mace are likely to be present in nearly every household. If feared gun legislation passes and further restricts our second amendment rights, the non-lethal self defense product industry will progress at even faster rates.

One of the single most important things you can do for your children is to protect them from the pedophiles and predators on the internet. Unfortunately, the same advances in technology and communication that have created web 2.0 and all of the social networking has also created a breeding ground for sexual predators. These very sick individuals are on the same popular internet medium that our children are on.

There are people (lots of them) that have but one intention and that is to sexually exploit children using the internet. Some of the people will prey on children who seem to lack attention, affection, or kindness. Gradually they will go from being friendly to attempting to sexually seduce their targets. To give you an idea of how sick these individuals are; many will devote countless hours to learning everything that is “in or popular ” for that age group. They will put forth there time, money and energy in attempts to have a sexual encounter with a child. They will attempt to become the child’s best friend, listening to their problems and consoling them. They will know the latest music trends, hobbies and interests of kids. They will set up fake MySpace and FaceBook accounts all in an attempt to fit in. These individuals attempt to gradually lower children’s inhibitions by slowly introducing sexual context and content into their conversations.

There is another group of predatators that immediately attempt to engage in sexual talk with children. Some have the primary goal of collecting pornographic images; others aggressively push for face to face meetings with their online contact. It is important to remember that computer-sex offenders can be of any age, race, or sex and they do not discriminate. There victims range from infants to young adults.

The information below was prepared by the FBI and further resources may be obtained through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. This is great information and is a must read for all parents, grandparents and guardian’s.

What Kind of Signs Should Be Looked At As Indicators That Your Child Might Be At Risk On-line?

• Your child spends large amounts of time on-line, especially at night.

Statistics show that children who spend large amounts of unsupervised time on-line, especially in chat rooms are most likely to fall victim to a online sexual predator. So ask yourself how much time do your kids spend online? Do you know where they go and what they do? In many cases latchkey kids are more at risk, parents tell them to stay at home after school. To burn time they go online to chat or IM friends. l. In some cases these children will also go in search of sexually explicit information. Lets be honest, this age group is curious about sex and in a sort of exploratory phase. The pedophiles know this and they prey on these children.

The greatest risk to children is during the evening hours; the internet can be dangerous 24/7 but activity is much greater in the late evening hours. As a parent periodically check the computer for any new file downloads. Often times pornography is used in the victimization of children. It is common for sex offenders to supply potential victims with pornography; this is their attempt to open up discussions involving sex. It may also be used to attempt to show children that sex between them and an adult is OK or normal. may be used to show the child victim that sex between children and adults is “normal.” Again, search new files and downloads for strange activity.

• Your child receives phone calls from men you don’t know or is making calls, sometimes long distance, to numbers you don’t recognize.

Children may be hesitant to give out a phone number or contact information, but the predator is quick to do so. Be on the lookout for long distance calls that you don’t recognize. Check your caller-id regularly to make sure that you don’t see phone numbers that don’t ring a bell. In addition, look for things such as 800 numbers dialed or collect phone calls to numbers that look strange.

• Your child turns the computer monitor off or quickly changes the screen on the monitor when you come into the room.

How does your child react upon you surprising them at the computer. Does he quickly turn the computer monitor off or shield the screen. If so, this is a potential problem that needs your immediate attention.
A child looking at pornographic images or having sexually explicit conversations does not want you to see it on the screen.

• Your child is using an on-line account belonging to someone else.

Even if you don’t subscribe to an on-line service or Internet service, your child may meet an offender while on-line at a friend’s house or the library. Most computers come preloaded with on-line and/or Internet software. Computer-sex offenders will sometimes provide potential victims with a computer account for communications with them.

• What Should You Do If You Suspect Your Child Is Communicating With A Sexual Predator On-line?

You should communicate openly and honestly with your child about your concerns. Explain to them the dangers of communicating with offenders. Review and save anything you may find on your child’s computer; if you don’t know how to do this, confiscate the entire computer and hold it until someone can check it over.

Use caller id to determine who is calling your child or who he/she is contacting. There are services available on both the internet and phone that allow parents to block children from accessing certain types of sites or making phone calls. You can also have the phone company help you set up a caller reject feature to disallow calls from certain numbers.

Remember to regularly monitor your child’s online habits, this means all types of electronic communications including, chat, instant messages, email, social networks, etc. Computer-sex offenders almost always meet potential victims via chat rooms. After meeting a child on-line, they will continue to communicate electronically often via e-mail.

Consider investing a in hidden camera to capture what your child is doing when you are not around. This is for their benefit and safety. It could potentially save there life.

Should any of the following situations arise in your household, via the Internet or on-line service, you should immediately contact your local or state law enforcement agency, the FBI, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

As a rule you should do as much as possible to avoid a confrontation. The most important things you can do is anticipate and avoid. Anticipation is a type of awareness; by anticipating certain situations you are mentally preparing yourself on how to react. Avoidance means you should analyze what you do daily. Do you drive through a high crime area on your way to work each day? Could you take another route to avoid a potential situation. Do you walk or exercise alone at night? Could you find a friend to partner with? Consider carrying a keychain pepper spray to protect against both dog and human attack.

If you do find yourself in a “sticky” situation there are certain things you should know. Do you best to calmly try and talk to an aggressor without provoking them. Always maintain a comfortable distance between them and you. Your body language should exude confidence, even if your scared to death inside.

Carry a personal alarm, either battery powered or compressed air. Both emit loud sounds designed to attack attention. Criminals hate attention and in most cases the alarm is enough to scare them off. Remember to carry it somewhere that is easy and convenient for you to get to. Most personal alarms are very small and easy to conceal. Ideally you would like to be able to conceal in your hand. If not clip to a purse, belt or backpack.

If you find yourself in a situation where you don’t have any type of self defense weapon, use your voice to get help. Scream as loud as you can or shout “help”, “call police” or “fire”. The goal is to focus attention on you and your situation.

Consider enrolling is a basic self defense course. Many non-profits offer courses free of charge. Colleges and Universities are putting more and more focus on campus safety. They have organizations on campus that teach rape prevention courses as well as personal protection. The resources are out there, you just need to take advantage of them.

How would you handle yourself if danger threatens. What if someone was aggressively moving toward you with the intent to cause you harm? Try not to panic, this is where practice is priceless. Even if you are not prepared you may need to fight back. Use simple the technique that law enforcement call “bash and dash”. Focus on the eyes, nose, mouth, ears, throat or groin - whichever is easiest to get to. By taking the fingers and jabbing the eyes, you can immediately disable an attacker. Take the palm of the hand and strike the nose, pushing upward. Place your keys in between the index and middle finger. Use it to strike to the mouth, ears, or throat. The groin is always a great option when dealing with a male attacker. A kick or strike to the groin can cause devastating pain.

If you are attacked or held from behind, don’t try and struggle forward, instead use the back of your head as a weapon and throw it backward attempting to strike the attackers facial area. You can also stomp, kick or strike the lower leg or foot.

You have the right and responsibility to defend yourself using reasonable force. Should you find yourself without a typical self defense weapon, consider using common items such as an umbrella, briefcase, book bag or keys. Strike quickly and then get yourself to safety.

These are just a few very basic self defense tips. Remember anticipation means preparing yourself for the possibility of a worse case situation. Take advantage of your local community resources and get some formal self defense training. Within the class you will have the opportunity to practice and hone your skills in real world scenarios.

We invite you to visit our collection of articles below. If you find one or more that interest you feel free to download or “copy and paste” into your own forum. If the article is relevant and beneficial to you please link back to us at www.guardian-self-defense.com

Most of us would do whatever is necessary to avoid danger; sometimes in spite of our best efforts we run across situations where we are forced to confront dangerous situations. These situations involve someone attempting to rob, assault, or rape you. In a perfect world and perfect situation, we would all be prepared and ready for these types of crimes. We would have our pepper spray or taser device ready, upon approach we stop the attack before it had a chance to escalate. Unfortunately, we don’t live in that perfect world.

So what is the best way to handle situations where you must confront danger.

• Always trust your first instinct. If something does not feel right, its not. Do your best to get to safety or get help right away
• Pay special attention to your surroundings. Awareness is so important. Most crimes are solved by leads that provide small but unique details
• If you are walking or jogging, walk facing oncoming traffic and stay close to the curb
• While shopping hold or carry bags close to your body.
• Body language is extremely important. LOOK CONFIDENT. Criminals are much more likely to prey on people who are passive and indecisive
• Always make sure that someone knows where you are going and when to expect you back home
• If you think someone is following you, get yourself into a crowded place. Once there seek help.
• Be extra cautious around people you don’t know who seem to be going out there way to engage you. This could be a setup for a mugging or assault.
• Awareness again. How would you react in a crisis situation? How would you defend yourself? If you don’t know the answer to these questions, now is the time to prepare
• Though there is no right or wrong way to deal with a dangerous situation; it is often a good idea to show your anger (not your fear). A mad or furious reaction may stop an attack, criminals are looking for easy victims.
• One of the best things you can do when confronted with a dangerous situation is to YELL. Draw attention to yourself and you are likely to get help.
• If someone has a weapon, stay calm and wait for an opportunity. Weapons make the situation more dangerous and difficult, but there still may be something you can do about the situation.

Each situation is different and remember the main objective is the get yourself to safety. Don’t try to be a hero or do anything that will jeopardize your safety. In general, non-resistance is always the be best way to prevent physical violence. Negotiations may benefit in situations like attempted robbery. Stall for time, use techniques to distract or divert the attacker and if possible flee to safety. Verbal assertiveness, screaming and using devices that attract attention such as a whistle or alarm can save the day.

Criminals are always attempting to think of new and innovative ways to rob you. They will do whatever it takes to defraud you, your family and friends. A new criminal scheme involves purse or handbag snatching. Thieves are stealing the handbags and purses of unsuspecting victims while they sit in restroom stalls. Later the victims are are contacted by the thieves, who pose as the good Samaritan. Usually they attempt to make you believe that they are associated with the place you had trouble. A day, location, and time are scheduled between the victim and fraudulent Samaritan. On the scheduled day, while you are arriving at the pre-arranged location; the theives are simultaniously using your drivers license to get your address and your keys to enter your residence and burglarize your home!

This is a disturbing but very real crime trend. In a news story that made headlines recently, the wife of a prominent CEO, while shopping at a local establishment, went to the ladies room. Once inside the stall she hung her purse on the on the back of the stall door. She was engaged by a woman who seemed to be friendly and as they carried on about the womans business, a hand suddenly appeared over the top of the stall and grabbed her purse and took off.

She did report the incident to the store manager. A few days passed when the woman received a call from a person stating they found her purse and time was arranged to meet with the store manager to reclaim her things.

When she arrived, the manager was surprised to see her and stated he had not contacted her and nothing was found. When she returned home she discovered that her house had been broken into and burglarized.

This is just another common sense reminder. It pays to be vigilant and embrace awareness. To prevent crimes like these, do not put a purse, handbag, backpack or anything anything of value on the stall of a restroom door. Keep it on your person; take the strap and place on one shoulder, then over your head. Shop in groups of two, if at all possible. This way you have a “buddy” and both can look out for one another.

In a small college town 30 miles from Baton Rouge, tragedy struck at around 1:00 am this morning. That’s when criminals invaded the home of the Lamonte’s killing one with a gunshot to the head and injuring another. When police arrived they found the front door kicked in and a damaged window; once inside they found Grace Lamnote dead and her husband Anthony injured. Police say they have little to go on but are working hard to find leads.

This is another extremely upsetting crime that took place in a neighborhood that is considered safe by most. It is a suburban community that is mixed with long time residents and young families. It sits only a couple miles from Southeastern Louisiana University. It’s the type of place you just don’t expect to find a home invasion or murder.

The grim fact is crime continues to rise and the incidents of violent crime is up as well, many feel that drugs and gangs are responsible. Crime knows no boundaries and does not discriminate. The criminals probably felt that the elderly couple was an easy target for the crime. Police are not saying what the thugs were after or what they actually left with.

So what can we do in and around our homes to protect our families and prevent home invasions. Most home invasions occur through a main entry way, typically a front or back door. Providing support to those entry ways is a very wise thing to do. A door brace can mean the difference between a successful home invasion or failed attempt.

Visible surveillance cameras can provide a definite deterrent. Criminals are much less likely to pick a home with visible surveillance for fear of being caught on camera. You can give the impression of surveillance with “dummy cameras” for a fraction of the price.

Dogs can prove to be an excellent self defense weapon. A large, barking dog can really save the day. First, a dog can hear much better than we do, so they are likely to hear what you can’t then alert you by barking. Criminals don’t like attention, and in most cases the barking draws attention. They would rather move on for an easier target. If you don’t have a dog or are not in a position to get one; consider the “Barking Dog Alarm“. All the benefits of a real canine without any of the responsibility.

Neighborhood watch or other awareness programs can send criminals elsewhere. Make sure to prominently display the neighborhood watch signs throughout the area. Have access to a home list with emergency contact information, if you see something suspicious contact the police, then call and alert others.

Security systems are worth every cent you pay for them; assuming you use them as intended. If you don’t have a security system, I highly advise that you have one installed. Just as importantly make sure to arm the alarm, so you are protected. If an attacker attempts a break-in or home invasion; the loud alarm will sound immediately, and if you have it monitored the police will be contacted within seconds. Having your doors and windows alarmed is a very smart choice. In addition, put stickers on the doors and windows to advertise the fact that you have security.

These are just a few common sense approaches to reducing your risk of falling victim to crimes such as home invasion. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Anthony and his family. We hope that justice will be served.

My youngest brother is a dedicated cop. He goes to work everyday and puts his life on the line. At the end of the day, he can usually say he truly made a difference or an impact. I think that is the motivation that keeps him going. Earlier this week he was called to a disturbance at a nightclub. He arrived and assessed the situation; turned out to be two very big guys fighting over a girl.

One of the guys was the ex-boyfriend and the other was the current boyfriend. As it turned out the ex just would not calm down. As my brother and another officer were questioning this guy (oh by the way he’s 6′4 and over 300 pounds) he decides to charge back into the club. Verbal requests to stop went unanswered. My brother had no choice but to fire his TASER. Both probes struck the man in the middle back and almost instantly he was immobilized.

The man was handcuffed and taken to jail without further incident. Had the TASER not been available, the option my brother would have faced would have been to fire his handgun or go in the club and physically try to apprehend and remove this beast of a man. Firing the handgun is not and option and their certainly would have been injuries or maybe even worse had he made it back inside the club.

The use of the TASER quickly defused a very volatile situation without any permanent damage or injury. It is stories like this that prove over and over the importance of non-lethal weapons such as the TASER and its role in both law enforcement and civilian personal defense. There are currently two civilian models available for purchase. The C2 TASER is by far the most popular model. It is available with or with out a laser sight feature. The standard comes in black, where the laster sight model is available in one of 6 colors.

The C2 is a favorite among females because it is small, lightweight and powerful. It packs the same power and technology as the law enforcement model. The difference is the effective firing range, the C2 shoots up to 15 feet, the police TASER shoots a little farther with max range at 25 feet. The X26 is the newest civilian model. It looks, feels and fires just like the police model, the difference is again the effective firing range.

If you doubt the TASER or just have some questions, please visit our TASER information page

Our new line of folding knives are finally here! I thought this day may never come. We changed our distributor for knives in an attempt to bring you improved selection and an overall better quality. Well again there here!

Our new line consists of 22 knives and featuring two top line Damascus Steel folding knives. We now offer something for everyone. We offer a combination of tactical pocket knives and one hand opening folders. The price range is from $8.95 to $79.99. That a look at http://www.guardian-self-defense.com/foldingknives.htm

What is the difference between dog spray or dog mace and the human version? Which is stronger and can dog spray be used on humans and vice versa. Dog pepper spray or Muzzle canine repellent is not as strong as human pepper spray. It doesn’t have to be; a dog’s senses (sight, smell) are much more sensitive than ours are. As a result, it takes much less OC pepper spray resin to obtain the desired effect.

The amount of pepper resin in dog spray is typically less than half that of the industry standard human pepper spray. Human pepper spray is generally rated in Scoville Heat Units (SHU), the industry standard for human spray is about 2 million SHU.

I do not recommend the use of dog spray on humans. It would be a much better idea to purchase human pepper spray, then use it for self defense against both. Let me give you an example that hopefully explains why.

My wife and I like to walk or ride bikes around the neighborhood; sometimes this can be extremely difficult because two territorial dogs don’t like us passing in front of their home. I hear this scenario numerous times each day. Of course dog spray is effective against those two aggressive canines. What many people forget is that they are more likely to have problems with people than they are with dogs. You can increase that if walking or jogging after dark and your risk becomes higher if you are alone.

Why not choose a good human pepper spray that can protect you against both forms of attack? Will the people spray harm the dogs permanently or long term? No, pepper spray or mace are non-lethal self defense products. They will not cause any long term injury to people or animals.

The benefit of using a good spray are numerous. First, the effects are almost instant. Range, dependent on model is between 8-16 feet giving you the ability to stop a threat at a distance. The effects last long enough to get you and your family to safety. Pepper spray has a temporary effect that will ware off in about 30 minutes. Finally, it is legal in all states (a few such as NY, MA have restrictions) so you are within the law to use for self defense.

All of our defense sprays are made in the United States. The contents are listed on the canister and the expiration date or self life prominently displayed. Our sprays are extensively tested, they are fresh, and proven effective. Be cautious of pepper spray made over seas or if the expiration date or self life are not listed. We define our sprays in categories like good, better, and best.

PepperShot is a very good quality brand. It is available in 1/2 ounce keychain units as well as 2 and 4 ounce spray. PepperShot has a 2,000,000 SHU rating at a 10% pepper resin concentration. The self life is 36 months. Wildfire would be the better brand. It is an 18% spray with a 3 million SHU rating. You can purchase Wildfire in a variety of sizes from keychain all the way up to one pound. Fox 5.3 formula is the best and most effective on the market. It is an amazing 2% pepper resin and rated at 5.3 million SHU. Fox is the industry leader that law enforcement chooses more than any other brand.

What should you look for in a pepper spray or mace defense spray? This is a question we get many times a day and its a very good one. The truth is the best pepper spray for me may not be the best for you. There a numerous factors to consider. It is important to get the best pepper spray product for you. Over the next week or so we will post a series of blogs to help you better understand and utilize the most effective non-lethal self defense product available.

One important thing to consider is the spray pattern.

• A stream spray pattern comes out in a straight line. Typically, you can expect the greatest range from a stream pepper spray. You are also much less likely to encounter “blow back” when using a stream spray. “Blow back” can occur when spraying directly into a stiff wind, the wind can blow some of the oc pepper solution backward causing the user to become contaminated. A drawback of stream sprays is that the user needs to be accurate for the product to be effective. Aim for eyes, nose, mouth - practice is essential before utilizing a stream. It’s not difficult, you just need to spend a few minutes outside with a practice container. Become familiar with the safety device; then practice pointing, aiming and firing.

  A fog spray pattern discharges in a “funnel or cone”. A fogger is excellent for dealing with multiple attackers, or crowd control type situations. With a fog you typically lose a little distance and you must be aware of potential “blow back”. Practice is certainly encouraged, but accuracy is not an issue with the fog, so if you spray in the intended direction the effects will be felt by everyone in the path.

  Gels and foams have become very popular, largely due to their localized effect, meaning the risk of unintentional or cross contamination is much less likely. The gels and foams are sticky and very difficult to remove, thus the oc pepper spray sits in the facial area much longer and the effects tend last longer and be of greater intensity. You will also find that gels and foams spray up to 25 feet which is about 8 to 10 feet more range, opposed to traditional sprays. These are ideal to use in your home, apartment, small business, or anywhere indoors.

  In the next post we will discuss the effects of pepper spray, Mace and tear gas.

The popularity of the Guardian Angel Pepper Spray Blaster has exceeded our greatest expectations. If your not familiar with the product, its a non-lethal self defense product manufactured by Kimber LifeAct. It shoots pepper spray at approximately 90 miles per hour and has an effective range of about 13 feet. The product is small, lightweight, and 100% Kimber quality. This is the same Kimber that is world renown for providing some of the best consumer and law enforcement guns and rifles available. So it makes total sense that they would jump into the non-lethal market and make a splash.

I expected the Guardian Angel to be a good, solid seller, but I did not expect it to be a top five seller. Since picking up the line a little over a year ago, Guardian Self Defense has literally sold thousands of the Guardian Angel units to residential and law enforcement customers. We’ve sent them to every state that we can legally ship to. The demand for the product has actually increased over time. So why are people so impressed and drawn to this pepper spray product?

A few reasons come to mind right away. First, the name recognition. Millions of Americans know the name Kimber. Kimber is associated with quality so when they produce a new line of self defense products people take notice. Second, it uses an expensive “pyrotechnic drive” which is the equivalent of a “propellant” in other pepper spray models. This drive propels the pepper spray at over 90 miles per hour. The chance of blow back is non-existent. Quality, Kimber uses only top components and the pepper spray is extremely potent and debilitating. You can even drop the unit from over five feet and Kimber guarantees it to be fine and ready to use.

Most sprays won’t spray upside down or at steep angles; the Guardian Angel can be fired from any position without problems. It doesn’t use traditional propellant, so there is no chance that the product will loose pressure over time. If you the Guardian gets wet or even submerged in water you will be able to use without problem. The self life is 36 months, so you have three years to use and the expiration date is clearly marked. Training units are available for practice, they have the same look and feel, but are loaded with H20 instead of OC!

The only drawback of the Guardian Angel is that you only get two shots. Each unit comes with 2 preloaded pepper spray blasts. Once used, you need to throw away and buy another. This does not seem to deter many, if any in the market for non-lethal self defense products.

I would feel comfortable in nearly any situation carrying the Guardian Angel unit. I invite you to view the demo video at http://www.guardian-self-defense.com/guardianangel.htm