To Be or Not to Be a Target of Crime

Unfortunately personal attacks are a very common crime in our society today. Whichever form it may be, a robbery or assault, it is one of the most insidious invasions of our personal safety. Why does an attacker pick one individual to become his victim and not another? What do they look for when they choose their victim? Attackers are very good at noticing the signs of a potential victim. It’s a good idea to know what these signs are so you can circumvent the likely hood of becoming the next potential victim of crime.

Attackers look for easy marks. Someone who appears to be defenseless, passive and oblivious to the events going on around. They want a target who is not capable or is too passive to fight back. This type of person is easy to attack by surprise. You should know that your likely hood of becoming a victim is susceptible to the signals you are unknowingly projecting to an attacker. Our body language and non-verbal cues are the unconscious signals that make up 80-90% of our communication to others. Either knowingly or unknowingly, assailants will form an opinion about you from these signals to determine how easy you will be to overpower and control.

Fortunately there are a number of methods that can be utilized to reduce your chances of becoming a victim of personal attack. If predators look for potential prey who appears to be powerless, vulnerable and naive, then you must project the reverse of that. One way is to carry yourself with confidence. Confidence is a non-victim quality. The more self-assured you appear to others, lessens your chances of being someone’s target. An attacker won’t choose a victim who appears to be difficult to overcome or will put up a fight. Any sign of strength or defiance, whether deliberate or implied, is often sufficient to cause a predator to look elsewhere for any easier target. One way to portray self-assurance is by walking briskly with a purpose, with your head held upright and looking alert.

Another way to reduce your probability of becoming a victim is to be acutely aware of your surroundings at all times. By becoming more aware of your surroundings, you not only increase the odds of detecting a potential attacker, you also project an image of vigilance. Pay attention to who is around you and what activities or events are going on at all times. Notice everyone walking toward you and look them in the eye. Criminals look for potential victims who are distracted and off guard. So put away those “electronic toys!” Get off your cell phone, iPod, PDA and laptop. Using these gadgets in public places like parking garages, malls, parks, etc., can lessen your ability to detect potential danger and makes you an easy mark. If you are distracted and not paying attention you might not even realize you are going to be attacked until it is too late to escape.

In addition to portraying self-assurance and being acutely vigilant, you should make it a habit to protect yourself from harm by carrying a few standard self-defense products such as a personal alarm, pepper spray and/or stun gun. A personal alarm is the ideal self-protection device for drawing attention to yourself when needed. These small, inexpensive items are easily carried and emit a deafening and abhorrent noise. Pepper spray is a non-lethal defensive aerosol that is made from oleoresin capsicum (OC), a derivative of pepper. It irritates the eyes to cause tears, pain, and even temporary blindness. A stun gun is a defensive weapon designed to momentarily immobilize an attacker by delivering a non-lethal, high-voltage electric shock. But remember, these security devices will not keep you safe if you do not use them.

To find out more about self defense devices like personal alarms, pepper spray or stun guns visit www.a1selfdefenseproducts.com.

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A Wonderful Gift to Yourself and Loved Ones is Crime Prevention

The winter holiday season is a very busy time of year for everyone, especially for criminals. With the holiday season upon us, most people are preoccupied with the details of holiday planning and shopping. Many shoppers are out and about running errands, carrying more money and packages than during other times of the year. Unfortunately criminals view the holiday season as a time of opportunity. This is not a time to forget that criminals will also be out and about looking for easy targets to make a big score. Nothing can ruin your Christmas spirit faster than becoming the victim of a crime.

According to the FBI, crime incidents become more frequent during this particular time of the year. Burglaries, muggings, car thefts, robberies, pick pocketing, credit card scams and crimes at ATMs all increase during the month of December. Often the safety precautions we may normally take are forgotten as the anticipation and excitement of the Yuletide season causes us to let our guard down. Even though you are rushed and thinking about a thousand things, remember to stay alert and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Criminals will often target those who are distracted and aren’t paying attention.

The day after Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the shopping season for the holidays. As you begin that holiday shopping, you might want some advice on how to avoid becoming an easy mark for criminals. Remember this advice is helpful year round as well.

PARKING LOT SAFETY TIPS

Trying to stay safe while you are shopping for Christmas can be a little difficult. Mainly because there are fewer daylight hours in the day at this season of the year. Often shoppers arrive at a mall when it is day and find that it has gotten dark outside by the time they are ready to leave. Anxious to get inside and make their purchases, many shoppers don’t consider this when they park.

Because parking lots fill up quickly this time of year, it might be harder to find a good parking spot. Look for one that has plenty of light and lots of pedestrian traffic around. Avoid parking in remote areas if at all possible and don’t forget to lock your vehicle when you leave. Become familiar with the area where you parked. Take a mental note of the row and number so you can easily find your car when you return.

Take a friend along when you go shopping. Using the buddy system reduces your chances of being mugged or attacked. If you are shopping alone, consider walking near other shoppers in the parking lot. Walk in well-lit areas and be aware of your surroundings. Avoid areas where people are loitering. Walk with a purpose and authority in your stride.

SHOPPING MALL SAFETY TIPS

While shopping inside it is a good idea to avoid dark hallways and stockrooms, especially at closing time. Be sure to only use bathrooms that are located in high traffic areas of the mall such as the food court.

Be careful and on guard when walking in crowds. Look out for people you do not know who deliberately bumps, jostles or gets too close as these may be diversions for pickpockets who try to steal your wallet. While you are at it, you might want to keep a close eye on your shipping bags and other personal property too. Keep your purse close to your body and never leave it unwatched in the shopping cart. It’s not a good idea to keep your wallet, credit cards, or cash in your back pocket or a backpack. Pickpockets can swiftly with easy get at these items without being caught. As an alternative, carry them in your front pockets.

It’s not a good idea to carry large amounts of cash around. Whenever you can, try to pay for your purchases with checks, credit cards, or debit cards. When you do have to pay with cash only pull out what is needed. Keep the rest of your money hidden from view. Make your most expensive purchases last so you can head straight home afterwards.

When you are ready to go back to your car, don’t be overloaded with packages. Combine as many of them as you can into fewer packages or make several trips to your car. Carrying too many packages will hinder your view and you won’t be able to move quickly to avoid being attacked.

It’s best to have your car keys ready and in hand when you reach your vehicle to prevent having to search for them. You may also want to check if you are being followed to your car too. When you approach your car wait until you get closer to use your remote to unlock it. Unlocking your car from a distance could alert a would-be attacker which vehicle is yours. He could then race ahead and be waiting for you arrive. Before you get into your car scan the back seat and other areas where an attacker might hide to make sure it is safe to do so.

Place your packages in the trunk out of sight. Do this when you first get to your car, rather than waiting until you park at your next stop. Gifts and other valuables should never be left in clear view this would provide thieves a reason to break into your vehicle while you are shopping.

When you get into your vehicle lock your doors immediately and drive off. Don’t wait around sitting there to check off your shopping list, jot purchases down in your checkbook ledger or whatever it is that may cause you to delay your departure. This creates the perfect opportunity for an attacker to approach you and force his way into your car, especially if you didn’t lock the doors.

An additional precaution you may to consider is to carry a personal alarm. A personal alarm is great for getting the attention of witnesses if you ever need it. They are easily carried on your wrist or key chain and will emit a loud annoying noise when activated. An attacker will not like that kind of attention. He will stop his assault and go away.

Following the safety advice outlined above will help your holiday to be a merry one.

Visit www.a1selfdefenseproducts.com for self defense products, personal alarms and other security devices.

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