Holiday Shopping Safety Tips

Not a year goes by when you don't hear in the news that someone was robbed or assaulted around the Holidays. Most of the time it happens in shopping center or mall parking lots! What you don't hear are suggestions on how to avoid these types of crime. Below are a few safety tips to keep in mind while you go shopping this Holiday season.

Shopping Safety Tips

• Try to go shopping during daylight hours. If you have to shop at night, try taking a friend or relative with you.
• If you go shopping at night or know it will be dark when your done shopping, try to park your car in a well lit area and not behind bushes or where your car is obstructed from plain site.
• Always be aware of your surroundings.
• Avoid wearing expensive jewelry or restraining clothes. You should be comfortable while shopping and able to move quickly if need be.
• Try not to use large amounts of cash, use credit cards or checks if possible.
• Keep your money or credit card in your front pocket instead of a purse or wallet.
• If you carry a wallet or purse, be very aware of possible pick-pockets.
• Try not to do all your shopping on one trip, excessive amounts of shopping bags are very hard to manipulate and keep track of.
• Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason, even if it is to hand you a flyer. At this time of year, "con-artists" may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.
• If it gets dark outside when you are done shopping, try to get an escort or security guard from the store to walk you to your car. If this is not possible carry a self defense product with you and have it ready when you go toward your car.

Keep these safety tips in mind throughout the the whole year and not just while shopping this Holiday season.

Holiday Home Safety Tips

Many people go away for the Holidays, to find out that their home had been burglarized while they were gone. The Holiday season is a robber's favorite time of the year. Many homeowners are away and a robber knows this by observing their house. Read the following safety tips if you plan to leave your home for the Holidays.

Home Safety Tips

• Never leave your house pitch dark, keep some lights on at night by purchasing digital timers that will turn on or off your lamps or TV. This makes it look like someone is home. Digital timers are programmable and can store up to 20 programs. Digital timers are also handy for exterior house lights or garden decoration.
• If you have a home alarm, don't forget to turn it on before you leave.
• If possible get a house sitter to keep an eye on your house and turn some lights on and off at night. They can also take care of your newspaper deliveries and mail. If you have a home alarm, show them how to work it.
• If you can't get a house sitter, ask a dependable neighbor to get your mail or newspaper deliveries or have your post office or newspaper delivery paused until you get back.

These safety tips are good all year round, not just for the Holidays. Always keep your home safe!

Holiday Party Safety Tips

We are getting closer to that special time of the year when people get closer together and share their love and friendship with each other. This includes parties, dinners and an overall joyful experience for the most part. But what about the times when it isn't so joyful? What about the time when someone drinks too much or someone gets into an unwanted situation? Below you will find some handy tips to keep in mind so your Holiday can be safe and enjoyable.

Party Safety Tips
It's not a party if there is no drinking! Obviously the main rule to remember is to not drink and drive! But also keep in mind this Holiday that with all the hoopla, some people like to take advantage of others. A big concern, is someone putting something in your drink that can harm or impair your judgement or even worst, make you unconscious. Below are some safety tips to remember when you are at a party or nightclub.

• Never get a drink from the punch bowl.
• Accept drinks that are from other people, waitresses or waiters only if they are sealed or in closed containers.
• If getting your drink from the bartender, keep an eye on him or her until they give you your drink.
• While you are interacting with others, always keep an eye on your opened drink.
• Have a designated sober driver picked from your group before you go out together for drinks.
• If you are going to a party alone and consume alcohol, call a taxi cab or phone someone you know that is not drinking to take you home. You can also use public transportation or stay at a hotel close by overnight.
• If you are walking home alone, avoid going through dark pathways and try to choose places where there are other people around. It's always good to carry a self defense weapon such as pepper spray or a stun gun.

Of course these safety tips are not only good during the Holidays, but all year round! Enjoy the season safely!

Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa Holiday Gifts

Now is the season most people ask themselves, what sort of presents or gifts they should buy for their family and friends. You want to buy something different to surprise your loved ones this Holiday. People get bored with the usual gifts such as clothes, candy, pens, etc. With the exception of children, who mostly just want toys for Christmas, most of us like to get something unique, yet useful.

Most people never consider buying self defense products as a stocking stuffer or Holiday gift. What better way to express your love for someone by giving them something that can protect their life? Particularly, non lethal, self defense products that will protect your loved ones. Non lethal, self defense products come in all shapes, sizes and prices. Below is a list of such self defense weapons by category, that can be purchased for Kwanzaa or Hanukkah or any other season of the year.

Pepper Spray
Probably one of the most popular products for personal defense in the world. Pepper spray can come in stream, spray, foam, gel and fog form. They can be in a simple metal canister, plastic container, leather soft case, or even as a gun shaped item. Some pepper spray is disguised to look like a lipstick container, perfume, pager, baton or even walking weights! Disguised pepper spray present an element of surprise against an attacker.

Personal Alarms
Personal alarms are a great attention getter when you are in danger. They have a very high pitched sound when activated and most have flashlights attached. Some even have a disable pin wrist strap. If someone tries to take it from you, the high pitched alarm will go off. This disable clip can also be used on doors and windows. Attaching it to these objects will alarm you if someone is trying to open a window or door into your home. Personal alarms are also used as medical or panic alarms. This self defense product requires batteries, which are usually included with the purchase.

Stun Devices
Stun devices are becoming more and more popular these days. These self defense weapons work by giving an attacker an electrical shock. The most common of these products are stun guns. But there are also stun batons, stun pens and cell phone stun guns. Recently the general public has also been able to purchase Tasers in addition to stun guns. A citizen air Taser comes in different models such as the Taser C2, X26c and M26c. Stun devices range between 200,000 volts and 3,000,000 volts. Many stun devices include flashlights and alarms. Some run on batteries and others are rechargeable.

Whether you want to give a simple small gift such as a pepper spray or a more elaborate present such as a Taser for Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, your gift will surely be appreciated!

Personal Alarms are Perfect Holiday Gifts

A personal alarm will draw attention to any crisis. They are small, lightweight, easy to carry and easy to operate. They are ideal for walking, running, jogging or hiking. Personal alarms can also be used as a panic alarm or medical alarm. Great for kids, the elderly and for yourself. This Holiday, give the gift of safety. The keychain alarm with flashlight is a perfect stocking stuffer.

PRESS RELEASE: Women On Guard™ Donates Pepper Spray to the YWCA of Greater Memphis in Tennessee.

WomenOnGuard.com donated pepper spray to the YWCA of Greater Memphis. The Tennessee association strives to create opportunities for women’s growth, leadership and power.

Pompano Beach, FL, November 9, 2009. WomenOnGuard.com, a website that sells non lethal, self defense products, continues to donate pepper spray to women’s crisis centers or similar causes, throughout the country. The YWCA of Greater Memphis is the 19th recipient to receive pepper spray from Women On Guard™, which started this donation process back in 2007. The women owned website sells self defense products such as Mace, pepper spray, stun guns, Tasers and personal alarms. It has safety tips, a blog and hotlines for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.

Since May 23, 1919, the YWCA of Greater Memphis has been providing mission-driven programs in the Greater Memphis area. It is a women’s membership movement that is strengthened by diversity. The association draws together members who strive to create opportunities for women’s growth, leadership and power in order to attain a common vision: peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all people. The association will thrust its collective power toward the elimination of racism wherever it exists and by any means necessary.

Memphis, Tennessee is just like most cities in this country, where women are victims of violent crime, stated Susan Eaton, co-owner of Women On Guard™. Rape and domestic violence are occurring in epidemic proportions, not just in our country but abroad too. It seems like it is a never-ending problem, especially for women. It is no surprise that many women have chosen to take matters into their own hands and are starting to defend themselves, either through self defense classes or self defense products. Most women don’t want to add to crime statistics, so they choose a less lethal means to defend themselves against attackers.

Events such as the recent gang rape of the Richmond High School girl in California and the discovery of 11 female bodies found in Anthony Sowell’s home in Ohio, are perfect examples of what we need to change in our society. Women On Guard™ owners strive to empower women and men by arming them with self defense products that protect individuals from violent crimes at home, work or anywhere they might be.

6 Bodies Found at Ohio Rapist's Home

A previously convicted rapist that served 15 years in prison for raping a 21 year old woman back in 1989, was arrested again by Cleveland, Ohio police last Saturday. Anthony Sowell allegedly raped another woman last week. She informed police of the crime and that is what lead the authorities to his home. Two bodies were discovered at first in his home and later 4 other decomposing bodies were found. All 6 women were black, 5 had been strangled to death. The cause of death of the 6th woman has not been determined. Ohio police do not think that they will find other bodies, but a cadaver dog will be taken to the house to search further.

This crime in Cleveland is yet another example of the fact that rapists are repeat offenders and that their prison sentences should be extended considerably for their crimes. Anthony Sowell was a registered sex offender and was required to check in regularly at the Sheriff's office. He followed the rules given to him for his crime, yet still managed to rape women. He is now, not just a rapist, but a serial killer. This proves that the system does not work and needs to be drastically revamped. As it stands now, there are an awful lot of rapists that are loose, comply with their sheriff's office, and still rape and even kill women throughout our neighborhoods.

UPDATE:
Other bodies have been found at Sowell’s home. This brings the total number of bodies to 11.