One of the great qualities of children is also a cause for concern for parents and loved ones. Children tend to develop a natural trust for others, especially adults. As a parent it can be difficult to balance their trust and personal safety. Kids are dependent on us for protection and to teach them how to handle dangerous situations.

Unfortunately, we live in a society where certain individuals prey on our youth. These predators present a very real danger. Child predators wait for an opportunity to exploit children. This exploitation can result in kidnapping, molestation or even murder.

The U.S. Department of Justice, puts out annual statistics on crimes committed against children. Below are real statistics that should serve as a “wake up call” to every parent or guardian of a child under 18.

Nearly 800,000 children under the age of 18 are reported missing each year. That is an average of 2,185 missing children reported each day. Over 200,000 children are the victims of family abductions, while nearly 60,000 are victims of non-family abductions.

It takes almost no time; you become distracted for a short while and they could be gone. A baby snatched from the mall parking lot, while the mother was putting the older sister into the car. Toddler is taken from a park. Youth reported missing after wandering away from father at a department store. Young girl abducted from her neighborhood by sexual predator. These are just a few examples of how it could happen.

Here are some personal security tips to teach your children.

Never Walk Alone:
Children should never be allowed to walk alone. Parental supervision can help prevent disaster. Get to know your neighbors and other parents. Consider putting together a calendar to ensure that at least one adult is watching the kids at all times. School bus stops are one of the favorite places that child predators frequent. Teach kids to utilize the “buddy system” with groups of at least three being ideal.

Scream:
Your children should know that in an emergency, they should scream at the top of their lungs for help. The louder the better. Yelling “FIRE” or “HELP ME” will get the needed attention.

May I Visit:
Child predators often attempt to get a victim go in a car or into a house with to promise of gifts, food and/or candy. Teach your kids to never go anywhere if a stranger. A stranger should be defined as someone that parents have not “approved”

Guard:
Consider investing in a perimeter fence to for safety and personal security. In addition, many large dog breeds can make excellent watch dogs. Both are excellent deterrents and make abductions more difficult.

Get involved:
Should you suspect a crime is taking place, get involved; don’t sit back and watch. They need you to get involved. You can help by recording the license plate number and recording a good description. Call 911 for help right away.

Fight Back:
Learn to defend yourself, while teaching your child self defense to keep them safe and secure. Children should be taught and even encouraged to fight back should someone grab you.

Run:
If you can get to safety, run there and stay put until help arrives.

Teach Children to:

• Use the telephone properly in case of emergencies and practice
• Memorize their name, address (including city and state), and phone number
  (including area code), and your work number.
• Walk confidently and stay alert to what’s going on around them.
• Know where to go to in an emergency. Tell a trusted adult immediately if anyone, even a teacher or close relative, touches or speaks to them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable.

Count of Guardian Self Defense for all your self defense product needs.

When it comes to self defense and personal security most consumers are looking for a product that is dependable, effective, practical and non-lethal. Fox pepper spray is a smart choice and here are some great reasons why. Dependability…Fox Labs spends lots of money to ensure that their products are safe and dependable. If you run into a situation that calls for it, you need it to work…period. Fox understands that and takes quality control to a whole new level. As a result, law enforcement and consumers have come to depend upon and trust Fox.

Many aerosol pepper spray products are flammable which makes them dangerous to carry and utilize. Fox pepper spray is made using a totally non-flammable formula, allowing you to safely carry and discharge anywhere. Temperature is a concern as it relates to the dependability of pepper spray. Fox goes the extra mile to ensure that there product will work exactly the same a temperatures between 0 and 120 degrees Ferinheight.

If you ever need to use a self defense product such as pepper spray you want that peace of mind, the confidence that it will work effectively to stop the threat. Fox Labs pepper spray is the most debilitating defense spray on the market. It will stop an attacker or aggressive dog in his tracks. Literally hundreds of law enforcement worldwide depend on Fox for that very reason. It does what it promises, each and every time.

If a product is big, bulky or just not convenient, then the chances that you will have it with you when it counts are slim. Consumers and professionals want a product that will go almost anywhere. A product you can take to work, to the gym, on a walk, in your car, to the mall, just to name a few. Fox is available in very practical sizes that make it very convenient for the user.

Finally, the ability to effectively end an attack without causing long term or permanent harm to the attacker is huge. In today’s society, the responsibility of carrying a firearm cannot be underestimated. If you decide to carry a gun, you best be ready, willing and able to accept the consequences. In a split second you could be looking at a crime with potential jail time. This is why non-lethal products such as pepper spray have become so popular. With a high quality pepper spray like Fox, you can feel confident to carry and use it almost anywhere. You have the power to stop someone instantly, yet the effects are temporary and wear off over the span of about 30 minutes.

If you are looking for a best of the best pepper spray, then Fox Labs is for you.

Thousands of stun guns are sold to U.S. consumers each and everyday. Many are over priced and seem to under deliver. Does your stun gun have these features?

• Rechargeable, never by batteries again
• 2.7 million REAL Volts with amperage
• A bright LED flashlight built right into the stun gun
• Red flashing emergency lights
• 110dB Personal Alarm
• Disable pin wrist strap - prevents accidents
• 4.75” x 2.5” x 1”

We didn’t think so! This is the one and only Stun Master Multi-Function Stun Gun. A top quality stun gun that carries a lifetime warranty. If it breaks we replace it free of charge, no surprises. Loud personal alarm provides added personal security. Your never in the dark with the built in flashlight. All this power demands extra safety, so to prevent unintentional shock there is a safety switch and disable pin.

You won’t find a better stun gun, the power, the features, the warranty are second to none. When your ready for yours go to http://www.guardian-self-defense.com/stun-gun-sm-multi.htm

The number of gangs as well as individual gang members continues to increase in the US. The threat posed to personal and home security is very real and dangerous. No longer are gangs found only occupying urban areas or inner cities. Gangs have begun successfully setting up shop in many suburban and even rural regions. Gangs are responsible for a large number of violent crime and violence in many of our communities. The focus of most gang activity is on drug trafficking, but more and more gangs have begun to diversify there illegal activity to include the trafficking of weapons and aliens.

Gang members work diligently at recruiting young men and women to join them. Recruits are typically drawn in by the promise of money, sex, and power. They recruit very young and seem to be everywhere. In addition to our schools and streets; recruiting is now online and in social networking sites.

As parents we must do everything possible to educate our children, as well as ourselves, about gangs present in our communities. It is our job as parents to recognize and help prevent gang involvement. Success depends on education and awareness. By no means is this an all-encompassing reference, but it is a great starting point.

Things to watch for

• Spends time with or admits to “hanging out” with kids in gangs
• Shows an unusual interest in one or two particular colors of clothing or a particular logo
• Has an unusual interest in gangster-influenced music, videos, movies, or websites
• Uses unusual hand signals to communicate with friends
• Has specific drawings or gang symbols on school books, clothes, walls, or tattoos
• Comes home with unexplained physical injuries (fighting-related bruises, injuries to hand/knuckles)
• Has unexplained cash or goods, such as clothing or jewelry
• Carries a weapon
• Has been in trouble with the police

• Exhibits negative changes in behavior such as: Withdrawing from family
• Declining school attendance, performance, behavior
• Staying out late without reason
• Displaying an unusual desire for secrecy
• Exhibiting signs of drug use
• Breaking rules consistently
• Speaking in gangstyle slang

What Parents Can Do to Prevent Gang Involvement

• Increase the amount of quality time spent with your child
• Get involved in your child’s school activities
• Be a positive role model and set the right example
• Know your child’s friends and their families
• Encourage good study habits
• Teach your child how to cope with peer pressure
• Help your child develop good conflict/resolution skills (See
  www.safeyouth.org/scripts/teens/conflict.asp)
• Encourage your child to participate in positive after school activities with adult supervision (recreation centers, organized sports, youth groups)
• Take action in your neighborhood (create a neighborhood alliance, report and remove graffiti)
• Talk with your child about the dangers and consequences of gang involvement. Let your child know that you don’t want to see him or her hurt or arrested. Explain to your child that he or she should NOT: Associate with gang members
• Attend parties or social events sponsored by gangs
• Use hand signs, symbols, or language that is meaningful to gangs
• Wear clothing, including specific colors, which may have meaning to gangs in your area

Resource provided by National Gang Intelligence Center.

Whether it’s at the park, walking your dog, or exercising outdoors, each of us are vulnerable to crimes such as assault, muggings, theft, and robbery. Statistics indicate that just over 25% of us will fall victim at some point in our lives. Fortunately, by adopting a “common sense” approach to self defense and personal security you can significantly decrease your risk.

Expandable stun batons are a wise choice when looking for non-lethal, yet effective self defense weapons. The major benefit of the expandable stun baton is extended reach. In any violent situation it is a good idea to maintain as much space or distance between you and them. In addition to the extra “wing span” these stun batons are equipped with built in LED flashlights and 120 decibel personal alarms.

Expanding stun batons offer excellent protection against aggressive animals, including dogs. With the push of a button these batons extend from a carrying length of 13 inches to nearly 22 inches extended. The entire extended shaft is electrified so by touching any part of the stun baton shaft a debilitating shock is rendered.

Click here to learn more about our line of expanding stun batons.

The popularity of self defense products continues to grow. Technology makes it possible to create high power, dependable, affordable and extremely effective products. The latest example is our newest stun gun upgrade. THE PRETENDER 4.5 Million Volt CELL PHONE STUN GUN is the real deal. It has the look and feel of a real cell phone stun gun. Amazingly its less than 4 inches tall but produces a debilitating shock using high voltage yet low amperage (11 milliamps). This cell stun gun is the perfect self defense weapon. Its disguised so no one will know what your carrying unless you tell them. With 4.5 million volts you can use this stun gun in any situation with confidence. It is equipped with a 12 LED flashlight and comes with a free leather carrying case. The Pretender comes with a lifetime warranty, so if it stops working we replace it.

• 4.5 million 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

The new and improved RUNT Stun Gun line has arrived! This is an amazing line of stun guns. Choose from high voltage battery powered units in 2.5, 3.5 or 4.5 million volts; the RUNT rechargeable is available in 4.5 million volts. All four units are equipped with the most advanced micro-technology delivering a debilitating 11 milliamps. RUNT stun guns are the smallest, only 3.5 inches tall, most powerful mini stun guns available.

With over 40 brands of pepper spray competing for market share in the self defense product line what makes one better than the other? As a consumer, how do I know which pepper spray products are better than others? From the outside looking in this is a very difficult task. Companies have become excellent at marketing their products as the best, and in a self regulated industry like self defense pepper spray makers are basically on the honor system.

There are some premium pepper spray products on the market that have been used by law enforcement agencies for decades. Their results and professional popularity speak for itself. Products like Fox Labs, Defense Technology, and Freeze are the real deal. Unfortunately dozens of other products are not what they claim to be.

One of the newer pepper spray products to hit the market is called Wildfire and it is manufactured and tested right here in the US. Wildfire is independently tested by Washington Labs and is a true 3 million scoville heat unit pepper spray with an 18% Oleoresin Capsicum formulation. What that means in English, is that Wildfire is very potent stuff and will stop an attacker almost instantly. Many companies’ market high pepper spray percentage formulations to consumers, but you must ask yourself 10%, 15% or 18% of what?

In many cases you will find that what others are marketing is NOT Oleoresin Capsicum, instead they are selling a product with a much lower scoville heat unit rating. Oleoresin Capsicum is the product created by a process in which ground dried chili peppers are made to release capsaicin, the natural pepper resin, into corn oil. Hence the name oleoresin capsicum. Capsicum is the botanical name for Chile peppers. The hotness or potency of the OC is based on the capsaicin content of the oleoresin, basically the active ingredient of the OC. The method of measure called a Scoville Heat Unit that is used to measure how hot a natural chili pepper is also applied to OC. There are many different peppers that can be used in a pepper spray formulation. For example a bell pepper has an SHU rating of zero while Jalapeno peppers rate approximately 5,000 SHU. SHU ratings of OC are based on capsaicin content. Many pepper spray makers market a high pepper spray percentage, but it may be 18% of a 50,000 scoville heat unit formulation.

Prior to picking up the Wildfire line, we tested it ourselves and were very surprised at just how potent it was. We immediately picked up the Wildfire line and have been promoting it ever since. Wildfire pepper spray is available in .5, 1.5, 4, 9 and 16 ounces respectively. Law enforcement agencies whom have tried it all love it, its non-flammable so it can be safely used around firearms or Tasers. It is good for 3 years and each canister comes with the expiration stamped on. If you are looking for a self defense pepper spray for civilian or law enforcement use, we certainly recommend Wildfire pepper spray.

Stalking is a very serious crime which typically targets innocent women using threats, intimidation and violence. The crime of stalking is often not taken seriously by law enforcement as well as friends and family of the victim. Stalking victims live in terror and fear, they suffer from undue stress and anxiety.

Earlier this week in Florida a 23 year old stalking victim was murdered by her 61 year old stalker before he took his own life. This was a tragic ending to a crime that never should have been allowed to take place. The waring signs were many, the “red flags” numerous, but when the victim pleaded for help in the months and weeks leading up to her murder, that help never materialized. In this case and countless others stalking was not recognized for what it is, a very serious and dangerous crime, as a result victims live in fear and can fall victim to violence including murder.

The 23 year old victim was described as pretty, sweet, caring and an all around good person. While working as a waitress she met her stalker, a well off professional accountant who was nearly 40 years her senior. Stalkers become obsessed with their victims, this obsession and persistence leaves the victim no choice but to inform the stalker that their advances are unwanted. This confrontation can lead to the stalker becoming mentally and physically abusive.

A stalker knows where a victim lives and works. They know where they shop and exercise. They are aware of friends, family and relationships. Stalking strikes fear in the victim, using intimidation to attempt to control. In the case above, the young victim filed for and was denied a restraining order that could have prevented this awful murder. In late January, she went to court and presented over 70 pages of harassing and demeaning emails received from her stalker. Even after describing her case a Judge offered no help and no restraining order. Two weeks later he shot her then turned the gun on himself.

Stalking information

There are different types of stalkers but most seem to fit into one of a few catagories:

• The rejected stalker: As a result of a breakup, this stalker acts out of the desire to mend a relationship and desperation to continue contact.
• The resentful stalker: The stalker may be a former friend or partner or an acquaintance. The goal of the stalker is to frighten and distress the victim because of feelings of injustice and desire for revenge.
• The incompetent stalker: These people want intimacy, but the victim is not interested. They lack sufficient skills in appropriate courtship behavior.
• The predatory stalker: The power and control that comes from stalking gives this individual a great deal of enjoyment. This type is only common at the end of an abusive relationship.
• The intimacy stalker: This type is the most highly publicized, but the least common. The stalker typically suffers from a mental illness or holds morbid infatuation with someone, often a celebrity. They view the victim as their “true love” and feel entitled to contact him or her.

How to handle stalking

• Obtain a restraining order or order of protection.
• Do not ignore any threat or decide they are not capable of harm. Call the law enforcement immediately.
• Record any record of a threat.
• Keep a list of critical telephone numbers and the location of safe places.
• Consider a home security check. (Local police branches, victim support agencies, and security companies may offer this service.)
• Don’t give out your home address and phone number. Provide business contact information instead, whenever possible.
• Keep a detailed diary of the stalkers behavior, including photographs of destroyed property, photographs of injuries inflicted by the stalker, recordings of harassing messages, license plate numbers, etc. -Keep pen and paper easily accessible, even in the car, for this purpose.
• If possible, install outdoor lighting, lockable windows, exterior motion sensor lights, and peepholes in doors. -Trimming shrubbery is also recommended.
• Vary your routes of travel.
• Park in safe, well-lit areas. Always have someone escort you to and from your car.
• Tell your managers, co-workers, friends, and security at your business and residence about the stalker. If possible, provide them with a description and photograph. Ask them to alert you in advance about the stalker’s presence and call the police, if appropriate.
• Do not change your phone number. A stalker may view this as a new challenge to overcome in order to be with you, feeding their false beliefs. Instead, purchase an answering machine and ask a same-gender friend to record the message (so as not to provoke a stalker who mistakenly perceives competition).
• Take self-defense training or purchase and learn to use self defense products such as pepper spray or mace.
• File police reports of any illegal behavior perpetrated by the stalker.

Self defense pepper spray

One of the most effective new self defense products on the market is the Mace brand pepper gel. Mace pepper gel works a little differently than pepper spray. It is unique in the way it is dispensed; the active ingredients are suspended in gel rather than an aerosol.

Traditional pepper spray is extremely effective but one of the drawbacks is the potential for cross contamination. You see pepper spray by design is dispensed as tiny micro particles that are easily inhaled. Sometimes we run into situations where we’d love to use pepper spray but are unable to because the likelihood of unintentional contamination is high.
Pepper gel greatly reduces the chances of cross contamination and is perfect for self defense indoors and in close quarters.

Pepper gel was invented to accomplish two things:

• Allow effective use at increased range.
• Significantly decrease that chance for cross contamination.

Increased range is a huge benefit; most traditional pepper spray products have an effective range of about 10 to 12 feet which is great. Mace pepper gel boasts an effective range of up to 25 feet which is superb! The ability to neutralize a potential threat from 20 to 25 feet is a huge plus for civilians as well as law enforcement.

The active capsaicinoid concentration is suspended in gel which effectively prevents unwanted contamination. No splatter and no inhalation make this the ideal self defense product for use in close quarters. To give an example, imagine that you are out at a dance club. A fight breaks out between two people on the dance floor. You are not involved in the fight but are only a few feet away. Club bouncers move in and use pepper spray to stop the fight. Not only does the pepper spray stop the two fighters but also contaminates you and many others in the club unintentionally. Had the gel been used the likelihood of stopping the fighters without causing harm to others is greatly increased.

The capsaicinoid formula or concentration is stronger and hotter than many pepper spray products. At 1.4% capsaicinoid concentration you are getting a true law enforcement quality defense gel. Many aerosol sprays are flammable, which makes them dangerous to use near firearms, tasers or anything that cause a spark. It’s like carrying gasoline on your person. Mace gel is totally non-flammable and therefore safe to use in most any situation. Another benefit of pepper gel is that it sticks to the attacker. It is made to be extremely difficult to remove, the more you try to wipe it away, and the deeper it goes. More information on Mace Pepper Gel

We just might have found the perfect stun gun. The Streetwise Small fry rechargeable stun gun is everything you need in a self defense weapon and then some! The most important feature of any self defense product is reliability. Hopefully you’ll never need it, but if you do it must work and work effectively. These small fry stun guns are durable, tough, and ultra reliable. At a recent trade show the manufacturer introduced these stun guns by placing them in a blender, turning it on and blending them for 30 seconds. After removing a stun gun from the blender a representative demonstrated that the stun gun still worked just like it was brand new!

This mini stun gun is available in multiple voltage levels all the way up to 2 million volts. In addition to the power, they are also equipped with a bright and powerful LED flashlight. Add in the fact that you will never have to buy batteries - these are rechargeable stun guns - and finally they come with a lifetime warranty.

The size of the small fry is unbelievable. At only a little over 3 inches tall, they are easily concealed by even the smallest hands. Or place them in the real leather holster (included) and attach to your belt or purse.

Features:

* Choose 400,000, 1,000,000, 2,000,000 volts
* Dimensions: 3.25″ x 2″ x .75″
* Rechargeable - NO BATTERIES TO BUY
* Powerful 6 LED Flashlight
* FREE Leather Holster

The final crime statistics were released locally today by the FBI, Baton Rouge crime increased nearly 9% in 2009 when compared to 2008. This is a very disturbing trend considering that crime in Baton Rouge has decreased for seven of the last nine years and violent crime has decreased nearly 25% for decade. As a business owner, local resident, father and husband I’m concerned for the safety and security of the community.

Drugs, lack of education and unemployment are the major contributors. That coupled with a large population growth put the Greater Baton Rouge area at increased risk of crimes against persons and property. Specifically, the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting program reported a 4.98% increase in violent crime (murder, rape, robbery and assault), while property crime (burglary, larceny, arson, and motor vehicle theft) rose over 9%. The rate at which crimes were solved dropped from 20.35% to 19.94%.

So what can people do to fight back? How can we reduce the chances of falling victim to crime? There are plenty of things you can do today to protect your home and personal security. You can contact your local police of sheriff’s department and request a home safety assessment. Most law enforcement agencies will come out and tell you how to make sure your home is secure. If your home is not already part of a neighborhood watch program you should join or develop one. Home security alarms, motion sensors, and entry way reinforcements are affordable and instantly make your home unattractive to burglary.

Personal security should be considered for every family member. When are family members alone, this is when they are most vulnerable to potential attack. There is power in numbers, whenever possible make sure you stay in groups of at least two. Criminals are much less likely to attempt and attack on a group, its much easier to target one individual. It is wise to consider carrying pepper spray for self defense. Pepper spray is very effective and works almost instantly. When used correctly, a quality self defense pepper spray will stop even the most aggressive attacker. To be effective, you must read the directions to learn how to use the spray, then MOST IMPORTANTLY…PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.

Self Defense Pepper Spray

Rape is a dangerous crime that affects all of us. No of us are exempt from becoming a victim. Every six minutes a rape occurs in the US and nearly 80 percent of victims know their attackers. A common misconception is that the major motive for rape is sexual. In fact, the major motive is power, not sex. Rape is a crime of power and violence; sex is just a weapon.

Statistics show that the most common rape is the assault of a school-aged female by a man of the same race. Typically the assailant is alone, has no weapon, and is probably known to the victim. Protecting our young female youth through awareness and education is the key. Parents should always know the whereabouts of their children and what they are doing.

• A teenage girl should never be allowed to entertain her male friends at home without adult supervision. She should also have learned the importance of not allowing strangers into the home.
• Safety in numbers should be stressed; and she is safest in the company of other girls. Studies show that nearly thirty percent of all rapes are gang rapes.
• Set a curfew and make sure she checks in with parents or guardian.
• She should exercise caution when she is home alone during daylight hours, like after school. She should take special care to see that after school activities avoid one to one relationships or a situation in which she might be the only female in a group.
• She should exercise extreme caution in accepting dates. Getting picked up by a stranger is ill advised at the very best. Parents should always insist on meeting the dates of schoolgirls living at home.
• Consider allowing her to carry a self defense weapon for protection. A self defense pepper spray and the proper practice can go a long way toward personal safety.

The importance of personal and home security products in our daily lives cannot be under estimated. As we go about our daily lives we are vulnerable to crimes such as rape, burglary, and assault, to name a few. Self defense products such as pepper spray and stun guns can go along way toward preventing crime.

• Fact: A violent crime is committed every 22.8 seconds in the U.S.
• Fact: A property crime occurs every 3.2 seconds in the U..S.

A price cannot be placed on personal and home security. It is absolutely immeasurable and should be a top priority. Personal safety is a basic human need, without it we will be hard pressed to accomplish any of our goals and dreams.

How safe is your home or condo? When it comes to the personal security of your family how to you honestly feel? Tough questions, but if you are truly objective chances are good that home security and personal safety can be improved.

Affordable, yet extremely effective self defense products such as wireless alarms and motion sensors are a great start. Entryway security like door brace alarms and window locks can help deter crime by making your home an unattractive target. Self defense pepper spray is the most popular personal security product. Stun guns and Tasers are very effective personal security tools.

Pepper spray is the self defense product of choice for military, law enforcement and civilians. In recent years it’s popularity has taken off for a few reasons; effectiveness, cost, and range. When used correctly a good pepper spray product will stop even the most aggressive attacker in his tracks. The cost to purchase pepper spray is inexpensive and most products are good for 2 to 3 years. Finally, the safest and best way to diffuse a dangerous situation is to do so from a distance. With pepper spray 10 to 15 feet is a common effective range.

Most individuals have a need for self defense pepper spray in many different places and for protection in multiple scenarios. For that reason, Guardian Self Defense put together the PS-6 Pepper Spray Triple Pack. Three pepper spray units for very different uses.

This defense spray pack includes:

• A 2 ounce pepper spray canister

This is a stream spray pattern with an effective range of up to 15 feet. With 2 ounces you have lots of spray (about 20 one second shots). All units come with a safety device that is simple to use but effective at preventing accidental discharge. The canister is only about 3.5 inches tall so its easy to conceal. This type of pepper spray is perfect for home protection.

• A quick keychain release spray

The half ounce quick release keychain pepper spray is small and convenient to carry with you anywhere. This spray goes with you anywhere and the quick release feature allows you to easily pull it free from your keychain or purse if necessary. If you are outside of the house or car this is pepper spray you should carry with you. Effective range is about 8 feet and this is also a stream pattern.

Note: It does you NO good to have it buried in your purse or glove compartment. Awareness and preparation are the key to deterring and even preventing crime. You have to do your part and change your mindset. As you leave your home the keychain should be readily accessible for use. If you are out walking or jogging conceal this tiny pepper spay in your hand.

• Automotive Visor Model

Another half ounce pepper spray with our patented Auto Visor attachment allows you to have your pepper spray protection ready at all times. Just clip to your visor and you are protected in your car or truck. This is a simple idea that works.

The formula in our pepper spray pack is made up of law enforcement quality pepper spray resin. It is made and tested right here in the US. A true two million Scoville Heat Unit rating, this defense spray is manufactured by Pepper Shot. Each unit comes with an expiration date and the self life is about 36 months.

Quality, premium pepper spray from Guardian Self Defense will improve your personal security and “piece of mind”. This is a must have product for complete non-lethal self defense. For more information visit our Pepper Spray Triple Pack page.

Pink is fast becoming the new black and when it comes to ladies self defense, pink pepper spray is the only way to go. Just a few years ago you couldn’t find a pink Mace or pepper spray if you tried. Today pink pepper spray is number one among female consumers. Most women love the color pink, it’s their color and it represents femininity.

With self defense and personal security I believe there is more to the pink popularity. While pink is all lady, when it comes to pink pepper spray I think you can add in “piece of mind”, confidence, and even power. Women are most likely to become victims of rape, sexual assaults and domestic violence while men are most likely to be their attackers. Males traditionally are bigger and posses more strength and power than females. For this reason most women are at a severe disadvantage during any physical altercation with men.

Women, in my opinion have adopted the pink pepper spray and other self defense products as the great equalizer. Fox example, my wife was fearful about exercise after dark. She did not feel comfortable walking or jogging around the neighborhood alone and most nights bringing a friend was not an option. After introducing pepper spray, explaining how it works and then practicing in our back yard she felt much better. The pepper spray gave her added “piece of mind”, power - in the sense that she could defend herself if need be from a safe distance, and confidence - she knew that when used correctly it will work almost instantly.

Pink Mace and pepper spray products are readily available. By spraying an attacker in the face, for about one second, they will become incapacitated almost instantly. This provides a great feeling knowing that you can protect yourself and others with a small little device that easily fits in the palm of your hand.

Of course like anything, you need to practice so if a situation arises you will be ready to respond and defend yourself. Awareness and preparation are the keys to surviving any personal security scare.

The prevalence of sexual assault on college campuses is disturbing and eye opening to say the least. In a recent survey complied by the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault it was determined that at least 1 in 4 college females will be the victim of sexual assault at some point during their college career.

Over 80% of all sexual assaults are committed by someone who is an acquaintance of the victim. Date rape, acquaintance rape and drug induced rape are the most prevalent.

Over 48 percent of college females who were victimized by rape did not consider what happened to them rape when interviewed. Additionally, a survey of high school students believed that forced sex was acceptable or “OK” under some circumstances.

More than 70% of rape victims knew their attackers. At least 50% of college students’ sexual assaults were associated with alcohol or drug use.

Self defense products are proven to deter or prevent crimes such as rape and sexual assault when used correctly.

Warning Signs and Signals of Sexual Assault

Each year the FBI releases detailed data on crime trends and statistics in the United States. Extremely useful and relevant information but can be difficult to read and understand in it’s original format. For that reason we’ve attempted to produce an overview for you below.

These statistics are very real. This is meant to be an awareness piece. Our intent is to educate others on the facts related to crime and criminals as well as the importance of self defense and home security products.

Violent Crime

• Nearly 1.4 million violent crimes took place in the US last year. That equates to approximately one every 23 seconds.
• Violent crime is down slightly over last year. From 2004 to 2009 violent crime has increased approximately 1.9 percent.
• Nationwide there were about 454 violent crimes per 100,000 people last year.
• Over 60% of violent crimes were classified as aggravated assaults. Robbery comprised 32 percent of violent crimes, forcible rape accounted for over 6 percent, and murder accounted for 1.2 percent of estimated violent crimes.
• Guns were used in nearly 67% of murders, 44% of robberies, and 22 percent of aggravated assulats.

Property Crime

• Property crime offenses occurred over 9.7 million times last year in the U.S.
• Year vs. year property crime decreased slightly and the 5 year trend reflects an overall decrease of approximately 5%.
• The rate of property crimes was estimated at 3,212 offenses per 100,000 inhabitants, a 1.6 percent decrease when compared with the rate in 2007.
• Larceny-theft accounted for 67.5 percent of all property crimes. Burglary accounted for 22.7 percent and motor vehicle theft for 9.8 percent.
• An estimated 17.2 billion dollars in losses resulted from property crimes.

Ladies and gentlemen; we live in a society that has become very dangerous. Criminals have become opportunistic as they search for the easiest targets. Unemployment rates have hit double digits and depending on how you look at it the true rate of unemployment may be as high as 15%. Drug use is at epidemic proportions. Crack cocaine and methamphetamine are wreaking havoc on urban and rural areas respectively.

Murder has become all to common in many of our American cities. The latest FBI crime statistics show that someone is murdered every 31 minutes in America. Nearly two people are killed every hour. The truth is many of these killings could have been prevented.

Forcible rape is a violent crime that is robbing women of their lives at alarming rates. Over 30 rapes take place every hour in North America. These are just the ones that are reported; some reports show that over half of all rapes go unreported! As the father of a beautiful girl, this crime makes my stomach turn. Often the attackers are friends or someone the victim knows. Many cases involve date rapes and drug induced rapes; especially in teenage and young adults.

Crimes like burglary and home invasions are robbing us of our “piece of mind”. Over 4000 burglaries take place each day and home invasions continue to spike. The majority of our working class are made up of dual income families. This means that most of our homes are vacant during the week.

As a young man, I was taught to always respect and protect women. Had I ever hit a women, I think my dad would have knocked my teeth out. What ever happened to respect? Domestic violence has hit epidemic proportions as one woman is victimized by a partner every 52 seconds.

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to take a proactive stand. Time to make sure you are no longer “easy targets”. Non-lethal self defense products make sense, they are affordable and most importantly they work. Most of us are extremely vulnerable to crime, but we are not aware until it’s too late.

That walk you take every morning to and from your vehicle, on the way to work… The time you spend walking, jogging, or exercising… As you wait for the red traffic light to turn green… Just a few examples of potentially vulnerable personal security situations we face each and every day.

Are the doors and windows in your home secure? How about the main entry ways into and out of your home? Don’t allow yourself to be an “easy target” for criminals. By taking a proactive approach to crime and criminals you become a more difficult target. The last thing a criminal wants to face is a “difficult crime”. It’s much easier to simply move on until they find what they’re after.

Many of us have resolved to improve our lives this new year by spending more time with family, being thankful for our blessings, adopting an exercise regimen and practicing patience with co-workers. Resolutions can be life changing especially for those of us who have a plan and stick to it. The feeling of accomplishment and self gratification are immeasurable.

I wonder though, how many of us vowed to make personal safety and home security a priority this new year. My guess is not nearly enough! Consider that every few seconds a violent crime is being committed in our country. In the time it takes you to read this article murders, forcible rapes, burglary, theft, assaults, and many other types of crimes will have been committed. We live in a dangerous society were statistics show that nearly 1 in four of us will fall victim to a violent crime at some point along the way. So chances are good that you’ve been victimized or know friends, co-workers, or family members who have been.

You may be surprised to know that there are several things you can begin doing today that will drastically reduce your chances of becoming a victim of crime; by actively adopting some new principles you will become a “tough target” and criminals don’t like “tough targets” it’s much easier for them to move on and find an easier target.

Basic Safety Tips to Help Avoid Crime

1. Be alert and aware at all times! Easier said than done; just look around you the next time you are out and about. Most of us are doing everything BUT being aware.

Here is a simple exercise that will help you develop your awareness skills. Go to the mall or other busy area and park your vehicle near the main entrance. Now take out a piece of paper and pencil; now start people watching! Pick ten people (one at a time) and jot down everything you see them doing incorrectly as it relates to awareness and crime.

2. Most of us are creatures of habit and criminals know this. Vary your daily routine to ensure that you don’t become too predictable.

Think about it, if I know that you’ll be at work Monday thru Friday from 8 am to 6 pm; then your home becomes an easy target for me. Instead come home at lunch once in a while. Vary the times you leave and get home if possible. If not, ask a friend of relative to drop in from time to time and choose multiple routes to and from work.

3. Lock your doors; this includes the home, office and car. Locks are our first line of defense.

You would probably be surprised at the number of people who become crime victims simply because they did not lock up. A friend of mine recently left her vehicle running for about 2 minutes while dropping her child off at daycare. When she returned to her vehicle her purse and laptop were missing. In addition to a laptop and very expensive purse the criminals got cash, credit cards, drivers license, check book and much more. This could have been avoided by simply turning the engine off and locking the doors.

4. Make your home or business a “tough target” by using floodlights or spotlights around the perimeter, using motion sensors, door and window alarms, and reinforced deadbolts. Entryway security is crucial yet relatively easy to secure.
5. Be informed and educated about crime and trends within your community

Knowing the crime trends within your community will give you the ability to better prepare and protect yourself and family.

6. Get actively involved

Join or start a neighborhood watch or other anti crime association. Engage local law enforcement to determine the resources available to you. Take advantage of resources such as home security evaluations and self defense training classes.

I challenge you to make personal safety and home security a priority this year.

Hurricane Katrina transformed our home town of Baton Rouge (BR), Louisiana; almost overnight the population in Baton Rouge nearly doubled. The sharp increase in the population combined with our economic problems has helped to create an exceedingly dangerous environment in Baton Rouge.

High rates of unemployment, drug abuse and gang activity have contributed to the 75 murders recorded in BR during 2009, a record number of murders and up over 12% from 2008. The last time homicide rates were this high was in 1993 when the city saw 74 people killed.

In addition to the 75 killings recorded within the Baton Rouge city limits, there were also an additional 11 recorded murders within East Baton Rouge Parish bringing the parish murder rate to 86 for 2009. Baton Rouge like many other cities across the US continue to feel the strain of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. It is no secret that in tough economic times the rate of crime spikes, this is a trend that has been consistent throughout time.

Many experts predict that the murder rate in Baton Rouge and throughout the US will continue to increase in years to come as a direct result of the economy and an increasingly competitive low-skilled labor market. Another contributor to the sharp increase in murder is related to young people, drugs and guns. In more and more low income urban areas the drug life is glorified. Our youth, especially those without a strong support system, are turning to a life of crime selling drugs. Many others turn to drug use, which leads to crime as addicts do whatever is necessary to get the next high.

It is important to note that law enforcement is aggressively targeting drugs, guns, and violent criminals. Last year the police department removed over 1400 guns from the streets of Baton Rouge. Repeat offenders are targeted for harsher penalties by the East Baton Rouge Parish Repeat Offender Prosecution and Enhancement System program.

Police say the streets of Baton Rouge are safe; and chances of being victimized are low if you are not evolved in high risk behavior. I disagree with this assessment, there are many parts of Baton Rouge that I would not feel safe driving through in my car, much less biking or walking through. Many of these areas are dangerously close to LSU and vital small businesses. These areas are those plagued by poverty, drugs, and crime and their footprint is becoming larger and moving closer and closer to the University and making doing business nearly impossible.

I don’t believe that this trend can be reversed; so I fully expect that 2010 will set yet another murder record in the Capital City. As a direct result many small and medium businesses will continue to move out of state and LSU as well as the other local colleges will continue to struggle with campus security.

Baton Rouge murder rates

NUMBER OF MURDERS IN BATON ROUGE
2009: 75
2008: 67
2007: 72
2006: 56
2005: 49
2004: 47
2003: 41
2002: 59
2001: 46
2000: 58

NUMBER OF MURDERS IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH*
2009: 11
2008: 18
2007: 20
2006: 16
2005: 10
2004: 13

Tommorrow, a convicted sexual predator and murderer is scheduled to meet his maker. Gerald J. Bordelon will die Thursday, January 7, 2010 at 6pm central time at Angola Maximum Security Prison in Louisiana, by lethal injection. Bordelon admitted to kidnapping his then 12 year old step daughter, forcing her to perform oral sex and then strangling her to death. He was convicted of his 2002 crime in 2006 and sentenced to death.

Bordelon, a three time convicted sexual predator recently reported that if released he would offend again. Bordelon will be the first person executed at Angola since 2002. He’s committed some terrible sex crimes and during his last offense he viciously murdered his young step daughter.

Bordelon has waived the right to appeal his conviction and thus given up his right to extend his stay on Death Row potentially by decades. He admits to being guilty and admits that if released he would re-offend. This is further evidence of just how difficult it is to rehabilitate sexual predators. Bordelon’s statements are in-line with many experts’ findings on sex offenders. Many reports state that over 80% of all convicted sex offenders will re-offend if given the chance.

The largest population of citizens in the United States belongs to the elderly. Over 35 million elderly citizens exist in the society we live in and the fastest growing subgroup are those aged 75 and older. Unfortunately, our elderly are becoming more and more targeted by criminals.

Most elderly individuals are attractive targets for criminals. Most are vulnerable physically, psychologically and financially. They are less able to flee from danger or protect themselves compared with younger populations. Most are not prepared to practice personal safety or self defense.

Over 75% of burglaries targeting the elderly involve unlocked doors or windows. Muggings involving purse snatching are very frequent crimes against this older population. Statistics show that the majority of muggings occur on the same day that the elderly receive Social Security government checks. Simply utilizing direct deposit will prevent losing money to muggers.

In general the elderly can do three things right now to drastically reduce their chances of being victimized.

• Lock your door and windows.

Consider using window and door alarms to further deter would be criminals.

• Don’t carry a purse.

Do carry some type of self defense product.

• Don’t carry more cash than you can afford to lose

Below is a comprehensive and helpful list that all elderly citizens should adopt.

1. Contact relatives daily by phone. Arrange frequent visits to and from. Get into the habit of checking in with neighbors on a regular daily basis.
2. Awareness of surroundings can make you an unattractive victim. Keep your head up and be on guard at all times for things that don’t look or seem right.
3. Contact your local law enforcement and ask them to perform a home security survey.
4. Make sure the perimeter of your home or residence is well lit and keep your doors and windows locked at all times.
5. Avoid any unsolicited conversations with strangers
6. Stay off of isolated, less traveled roads
7. Never, ever give personal information, bank account numbers, or credit card numbers to a telephone caller.
8. Find community support groups in your area and get involved

Of course there are many other tips that we did not mention, but hopefully you get the general idea. Take a proactive approach to deterring and preventing crime. Become an unattractive victim today. A commitment to awareness and action will go a very long way.

How many of you have spent time in a hospital or nursing home recently? Many of you work in the health care industry, others visit friends or family who are sick, and some of us are sick or undergoing routine procedures. Hospitals and nursing homes are becoming more and more crowded and the personal security of patients, visitors and workers should be a main concern.

A 72-year-old man, waiting in City General Hospital for routine surgery to repair a hernia, decided to take a short walk around his hospital floor. When he returned to his room, all his personal valuables had disappeared, including his wallet, credit cards, watch, gold ring, keys and even dentures. He immediately reported the theft to the nurse, who summoned hospital security.

This excerpt was taken from “How to Protect Yourself From Crime” by Ira A Lipman and it describes what millions of hospital patients, visitors, and workers experience each year.

We tend to feel a false sense of security in these types of health care settings. In fact, statistics show that hospitals and nursing homes are anything but safe. Most operate 24/7 year round, that in itself presents a huge security problem. Most have large amounts of traffic coming and going through unlocked and unsupervised doors. Most patients are unable to provide personal security for themselves because they are too sick and weak to move, walk or talk. The workers are also very much at risk, over 75% of health care workers are female and during the night shift over 95% of the workforce is female! Believe me when I tell you that criminals are aware of this.

What you end up with is an environment that is very attractive to criminals. Personal property of patients and workers, the potential for rape or sexual assault of female workers and patients, theft of prescription drugs, and burglary or robbery of unsuspecting victims in areas such as a parking lot or garage.

Studies conducted by the International Association for Hospital Security and Safety (IAHS) found theft to be the most prominent crime and high estimates show over $2500 in theft annually per hospital bed. Nearly 6 billion dollars are lost on average each year as a result of crime in health care institutions.

Awareness is key to protecting yourself, family and friends in hospitals and nursing homes. Whether you work, stay or visit consider added personal protection in the form of personal alarms or self defense pepper spray and Mace.