Lipstick pepper spray can be a very effective and efficient tool to protect yourself from an attacker. But like most self-defense tools, it is only as effective as the person that uses it. If you use it the wrong way, the tool could cause unnecessary harm not just to your attacker but also to other innocent bystanders. Worse, it could even harm you. Here are ways on how to use lipstick pepper spray properly and safely:

Understand how it works
Pepper spray contains an irritant found in – what else? – pepper. The substance is called oleoresin capsicum or OC. This is a lachrymatory agent that causes the stinging associated with pepper sprays. It affects the eyes, nose and mouth. During an attack, you should consider these areas of the face as your main target.

Be careful, though. Just because you own the lipstick pepper spray doesn’t mean it can’t work against you. If you make a mistake about using it, it could affect you and not your attacker.

Make the lipstick pepper spray a familiar weapon
The better you are at using lipstick pepper spray, the safer you will be. Know which end is which. In an attack, things can happen in the blink of an eye and if you have to fumble for the trigger of the spray, you will lose precious seconds to protect yourself. Make sure that you are very familiar with the spray. That will make it very easy for you to wield it in case you need it.

There’s only enough in the container
Lipstick pepper spray contains a smaller amount of pepper spray than the regular canister. It may seem like less power but lipstick pepper sprays are aerosols. This means that the spray is pressurized. When used, the droplets are more focused and can reach a farther distance. There’s probably enough spray in a small lipstick bottle to give off 5 to 10 one-second bursts.

It pays to remember that the amount contained in a lipstick pepper spray is limited. As such, it’s important that you use this tool carefully. Make sure that the spray hits your attacker in the face to maximize the tool’s efficacy. If you use too much in the wrong way, you could waste a real opportunity to protect yourself.

Take note of its expiry date
Lipstick pepper sprays have expiration dates. You should find this printed on the product. Over time, the pressure inside the small case will decrease. If the product is expired, it will not be as effective and the distance it can cover may be significantly less. Take note of this date and make sure to get in touch with your supplier for a refill.

Although plenty of high-tech devices and exercise gadgets have appeared on the market, gadget-free routines such as jogging and walking are still considered as the best cardiovascular workouts around. They not only burn fat very efficiently and effectively, they also build muscle and increase metabolism. Plus, they don’t cost a cent. But keeping fit these days is not just a matter of improving your health – it is also about being safe. In fact, knowing a few simple and practical self-defense techniques could make sure that you keep fit and still be out of harm’s way.

Keeping safe while keeping fit
According to the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, a charity that focuses on personal safety, it’s important that safety precautions are taken if you intend to keep fit. In a news release that appeared on December 5, 2008 at the Westmorland Gazette, the Trust offered advice specifically for joggers and health buffs who either want to start a health fitness plan or continue their fitness routine. This is to increase awareness regarding the risks and dangers to joggers and health buffs who prefer to exercise outdoors.

Healthy self-defense tips
Know your route. When walking or jogging, try to keep to a route that is familiar to you. Don’t try new paths, roads or walkways and by no means should you go running through a short cut – especially not if you don’t have a companion. If you’re unfamiliar with the path, you’re less likely to be confident and probably won’t know where to go in case of an emergency.

Tell someone where you’re going
Before you leave the house, always inform someone of your route, what time you’re leaving, what time you expect to come back and with whom you’ll be running.

Stay with other joggers. If you’re with a crowd or a companion, you’re less likely to be attacked. Go with a buddy or ask to join a group. If you can’t find a running or walking buddy, best stick to areas where there are other people around. If you find yourself running in a deserted location, turn around and get out of the area immediately.

Use only lighted pathways. Never exercise in areas where there are no lamp posts or lights. That way you can clearly see other people with you. In case you need help, you’ll be easily seen and located.

Consider bringing a self-defense tool. A mobile phone, an alarm, a stun gun or a can of pepper spray could be a lifesaver. If you’re running without a companion or exercising at dawn or at night, carry any one of these tools with you. They can help prevent or discourage an attack, disarm your attacker and give you the opportunity to escape or call someone for help.

cell phone stun gun image

image credit to sxc.hu

Self-defense products actually have a long history. Although times have changed, the need for self-defense tools and weapons has remained, particularly for pepper sprays. But their size and appearance in the past made them difficult to carry around. These days, though, pepper sprays come in the most convenient form as pepper pens. These pens, while harmless looking, can actually keep you safe and protect you from a possible attack.

Why pepper spray?
Pepper spray is a favorite among individuals and law enforcement officers as a weapon of self-defense. Although its effect is temporary, it has the kind of stopping power that is sufficient enough for most self-defense needs. Its active ingredient is a liquid that has lachrymatory agents combined with volatile solvents.

It’s also a preferred self-defense tool because it is non-lethal. While pepper spray causes blindness and extreme discomfort, the effects are only temporary. Discomfort can last anywhere from about 5 minutes to about an hour, depending on the amount sprayed and the sensitivity of the individual. That’s enough time to allow the user to run away and find a safer place.

How small is a pepper pen spray?
A pepper pen spray actually resembles a regular pen. It comes in different styles and colors but instead of an ink-filled plastic tube inside the canister, the pen is filled with pepper spray liquid. The design means that the spray will not function as a regular pen but it will work as a self-defense spray.

How effective is a pepper pen spray?
The size of the pepper pen spray makes some people doubt its efficacy. Although it is indeed small, it does pack enough power to prevent an attack and keep you safe.

The pepper pen spray is designed to work as an aerosol, which means it’s pressurized for easy use. The pressure also ensures that the spray droplets can reach the target from a distance of about 5 feet or even more.

Some important things to remember about using pepper pen sprays
Pepper pen sprays can sometimes contain a combination of OC pepper and tear gas. This combination ensures maximum irritation to the attacker, causing teary eyes, coughing and difficulty in breathing. In some cases, a UV dye may be added.

Pepper pen sprays come with an expiry date. That means that their efficacy will wane over time. If unused, the old contents should be discarded and the canister refilled.

pepper pen image

In self-defense, the groin kick is considered as one of the most effective means of fighting off an attacker and rendering them helpless. Although the effect is generally temporary, it can buy you enough time to escape or even disarm your attacker. But is it really that effective as a self-defense tactic? Here are some things you ought to know about the groin kick:

If your attacker is a man, he’s probably expecting a groin kick
Men know that a well-placed kick in the groin can be very painful. The groin area, particularly the part where the male genitals are, is extremely sensitive. There are more nerves in this area and the skin and underlying tissues are not as well insulated or protected by a good layer of fat or muscle.

Male attackers know this and are more likely to be wary (and ready) for attacks to the groin. Their instinct will help prevent any part of your body from hitting their groin and thus protect them from pain.

Use the element of surprise
Kicking the groin as a self-defense tactic can be very effective if it is performed at the moment your attacker least expects it. If your attacker can stop a groin kick or if your attack does not have enough force in it, you will simply anger your attacker and give them more reason to harm you physically.

The best and most effective way to use the groin kick as a self-defense tactic is to unleash it as a surprise attack. If your attacker doesn’t see it coming, the more effective and debilitating it can be.

If you must use the groin kick, make sure your attacker doesn’t see it
Another important thing to remember about the groin kick is to use it at close range. That way, you are sure of your target and are more likely to make a direct hit. The crotch area can also be accessed more easily from a close angle.

Don’t always rely on ‘kicking’
When people are instructed to use a kick as a self-defense tactic, they think only about using the foot or the knee as a means for an attack. However, in a real-life emergency situation, your knees or feet may not always have necessary leverage or room to commence an effective groin kick.

If your knees or feet have no room to move to perform a groin kick, consider using other parts of the body, including your hands or elbows. If necessary, you might even consider using a tool such as a stick, a bat or a rock. That way, you are not severely limited by circumstance when it comes to preserving your life.

martial arts videos image

image credit to bulletma9net

Self-defense these days is as much a means for protection during an actual attack as it is a means for prevention. This is why the Mace baton remains as one of the most popular tools for protection against crime. The baton is a small weapon but it can be very effective in disarming an attacker. This is the type of baton that no majorette will treat as a prop. It’s so much more than that.

What is a Mace baton?
Mace is actually a brand name. The brand carries several types of self-defense tools that use tear gas or pepper sprays as their main components. Tear gas and pepper spray, as we all know, contain a mixture of substances that affect the mucus membranes and cause extreme irritation. It is effective for use for both humans and animals.

The liquid in the Mace baton is kept in a pressurized container. When a trigger is pressed, the liquid is released as very tiny droplets. Once these enter the nose, eyes or mouth, the active ingredients immediately irritate the mucus membranes, causing immediate reactions such as tearing up, gagging and difficulty breathing. The burning sensation will also cause a person to be disoriented.

The reaction can range from moderate to severe, meaning it could last from a few minutes to at least an hour. As a weapon of self-defense, the Mace baton is non-lethal; it won’t cause temporary illness or physical problems and it won’t lead to death. This is why it is considered as an important and effective tool against a possible attack.

What is the formulation used in a Mace baton?
In the past, the substance used in the traditional Mace baton is a mixture of solvents, including butanol, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol and cyclohexene. Some manufacturers may even include OC or Oleoresin Capsicum, the main ingredient found in pepper sprays. These days, however, a Mace baton will probably contain only OC since the use and possession of tear gas is severely limited to law enforcement and the military.

Certain limitations
Most retailers will sell the Mace baton only to users who are at least 18 years of age. It’s also the kind of self-defense tool that you can’t hand-carry in case you’ll be traveling by airplane. It has to be included in your checked baggage.

Although the Mace baton is probably legal in your state, there could be certain restrictions in your area. Before purchasing one, check your locality for any regulations.

The Mace baton should also be stored correctly. Extreme temperatures can cause leakages. It also has an expiry, which means that it might lose its power over time. Contents could be refilled, however and old content should be discarded according to local or state regulations.

It’s common for many families and individuals to go on a trip for the holidays. However, holiday travel can only be enjoyable if it is safe. To make sure that your holiday travel plans are glitch-free and pleasurable, here are personal safety tips you might want to consider:

Be aware of your surroundings
If you’re going on holiday travel, remember that there are probably thousands of other people who, like you, also have the same idea. When traveling or driving, make sure you are not distracted. If you’re driving to your destination, for example, avoid loud music, toys, bags and gadgets that may present aural or visual interference.

Know whom to call in case of an emergency
Have emergency numbers ready. If you have a mobile phone, save these numbers or write them down for easy access later, in case you need them.

Arm your children with important personal safety tips
If you’re traveling with children, make sure they are safe and secure during the trip. List down emergency numbers they could call and teach them what to do in case they get separated from you.

Be road-ready
If you’ll be driving to your destination for holiday travel, check your car. Have spare tires, extra gas and necessary tools. Check weather reports and traffic volume in areas you expect to pass. Map out your route and identify exit points or alternate routes.

Don’t pick up hitchhikers
The holidays are times that most people use to traditionally offer gifts or favors. Just make sure that one of those favors doesn’t include allowing hitchhikers into your car. While many hitchhikers are probably harmless and just truly need a ride someplace, you really can’t be sure about some of them. To ensure your personal safety during holiday travel, just be on the safe side.

Be patient
Expect a holiday rush of passengers and fellow travelers. This means you’ll have to contend with heavy traffic, planes filled to capacity and fully booked hotels. Factor in delays caused by bad weather or mechanical problems and you can imagine the kind of things you will have to put up with.

Avoid losing your temper at other passengers or lashing out at service personnel. You could get into an argument or a fight that could cause you physical harm.

Protect what you leave behind
The excitement of going on holiday travel might cause you to overlook one vital thing: to ensure that the home or apartment you leave behind is safe. Prior to going on a trip, make sure that your home has sufficient locks and/or alarms and is protected from fire or burglars. That way, you’ll still have a place to go home to after a holiday trip.

image credits to jimfrazier

Nannies can be heaven-sent, especially during times when we need an extra hand to take care of our children. However, not every nanny who comes around may be the right person for our kids. Even with a thorough background check, things may not always be what they seem. To avoid nanny anxiety and keep your baby safe, here are gadgets you can use:

Nanny cam
The nanny cam is so named because it’s designed to monitor and if necessary, record the activities of the nanny with your baby when you’re not around. The nanny cam is actually a small camera that may be disguised as a small toy, a clock or a radio. It is hidden from view, which allows it to capture your nanny’s activities with your baby.

The nanny cam can be rigged to record images remotely. These images are kept on tape or as a digital file that you can review later.

Baby monitor
A baby monitor is similar to a nanny cam, although some models feature audio-only capability. A baby monitor may be placed next to your baby’s crib so you can listen in from a remote location. You could also view your baby with this gadget, since some models feature a small color LCD screen. It can even function in infrared mode in case of low light conditions.

The drawback is that baby monitors often only work within a limited range, usually 300 to 400 feet. That means you could use it to make sure your baby’s safe with the nanny from another room in the house or next door.

Security cameras
Other than the nanny cam, you could install security cameras around the house so you will have different viewing angles. This is an excellent step in case your nanny likes to bring your baby to different parts of the house. Security cameras will monitor and capture images that you can review once you get home.

Audio recorder
A portable audio recorder can be a very effective gadget to make sure your baby is safe with the nanny. A good audio recorder to use for this purpose is a digital gadget that automatically records when sound waves are produced. That way, what you’ll hear are only sounds produced by the occupants of your house namely your baby and the nanny. An audio recorder will capture sounds that will tell you whether or not your nanny is performing his/her duties in the appropriate manner.

wall clock nanny camera image

The body is actually equipped naturally to protect itself in case of danger. Once your brain registers that you’re under attack, it sends out signals to your body. This causes your muscles to tense up and your heart rate to increase. You then go into a flight-or-fight mode – you either run away or you stay and fight off an attack. Unfortunately, the same reaction could also cause you to go into panic, which could potentially place you in danger. Here are ways on how NOT to panic when you’re under attack:

Train yourself for anything
The only reason you might panic when you’re under attack is if you’re unprepared – both physically and mentally. If you’re unfit, weak or have no skills to defend yourself effectively, you’re more likely to lash out, do or say things that will jeopardize you further.

To avoid going into panic mode during an attack, be prepared. Undergo training if you must – a few basic lessons in self-defense will be a great help. Learn how to use your body as a weapon or to use available tools to protect yourself.

Train your mind to handle emergency situations. This will help keep you as calm as possible so you can think straight. If your mind is clear, you’re more likely to be more capable of protecting yourself and avoiding panic.

Always have a Plan B
It would help if you have an emergency gadget or escape route. A solid back-up plan will help make you more confident. If you have an escape route planned, a way to seek help that will respond quickly or a tool you can use to prevent physical harm, you are more likely to come out of a physical altercation unharmed.

Be aware of yourself and your surroundings
You’ll have a tendency to panic if you’re in unfamiliar surroundings. Learn to quickly assess where you are so you’ll be able to do the following:

- determine your position, its advantages and limitations
- determine the position of your attacker, his/her advantages and limitations
- availability of an escape route
- availability of tools you can use to defend yourself

Carry a gadget designed for self-defense
If you have a gadget or tool you can use for self-defense, you could avoid going into panic mode when under attack. Simple gadgets such as a kubotan, a pepper spray canister or a stun gun can help deter an attack or even prevent physical harm to yourself. Consider using a self-defense gadget you’re most comfortable with and carry it frequently. You’ll never know when you’ll need to use it.

775,000 volt stun gun image

There have been countless times when pepper sprays have saved someone from a possible lethal attack. However, it’s not a perfect self-defense weapon. Like most weapons, it could be used against the user. If pepper spray is your self-defense gadget of choice, here are tips on using it effectively and making sure it won’t backfire:

Understand that it is not a lethal weapon
Pepper sprays are designed to incapacitate your attacker temporarily by irritating his/her nose, eyes and mouth. The stinging sensation can last anywhere from a very short 5 seconds to as long as a few minutes, depending on how the pepper spray was used and the amount dispersed.

The point of using a pepper spray is to distract your attacker and buy you time to escape. Once you use it and your attacker is temporarily blinded, you’re supposed to run away or yell for help, not stick around.

Make sure that you have easy access to your pepper spray can
Carry the pepper spray canister in belt holster or if you have to keep it in your pocket or purse, make sure you can reach it quickly and easily. When walking home late at night, for example, keep the canister in your hand or if it’s inside your bag or pocket, hold on to it. In case you need it, it will be easy to use.

Point the nozzle away from your face or body
Whether you’re carrying the canister or holding on to it, make sure that the nozzle is pointed away from you. You don’t want any accidental dispersals, especially not if you’re being attacked.

Familiarize yourself with the use of the spray
Pepper spray can only be a weapon if you know how to use it as such. Attacks can happen in the blink of an eye, which means you might not have enough time to be in the right position always.

To make sure the pepper spray won’t backfire, familiarize yourself with its feel so you know immediately in which direction the nozzle is facing. Practice on using it and try different situations of attack – frontal, rear, sides, etc. This will help train you to react in the best way possible to keep yourself safe.

Spray downwind
Always try to anticipate an attack. Be conscious of your surroundings – in this case, of wind direction. To make sure that pepper spray won’t backfire, avoid using it against the direction of the wind. If you do, the wind will carry the irritating substance to you and irritate you instead of your attacker.

lipstick pepper spray image

There is a reason why parents are anxious about leaving kids behind. They may not be mature enough to protect themselves and they lack much of the knowledge and skills that grownups have regarding self-defense tactics. However, just because your children are too young doesn’t automatically mean they have to be helpless. Here are ways you can still protect your kids even when you’re not around:

Install alarms
Alarms can be incredibly useful for preventing intruders from entering your home. If you must leave your kids at home alone, make sure that they are safe within. Alarms could warn your children of a possible intrusion and they could call for help. Alarms could also alert a security company (in case you’re subscribed to this type of service) to send out authorities to check on your children.

Use fire alarms
Over 600 children under the age of 14 perish in fires each year, mainly because they get trapped inside a home. You could prevent your child from becoming part of this statistic by installing fire alarms. Make sure that fire alarms are sensitive enough to detect smoke and loud enough to wake up your kids in case they’re sleeping.

Install home security cameras
Security cameras can deter a possible attack or intrusion. Potential burglars or criminals will be discouraged from entering your home if they see that there is a security camera installed.

Some of these systems may also allow remote monitoring, although the distance from your home to another point may be limited. Nevertheless, this type of home security gadget will help alert you in case your kids are in imminent danger.

Teach kids practical self-defense tactics
Although enrolling your kids in self-defense class could help, there are other ways you can help protect them. You could, for example, train them to do the following:

- call 911 or any emergency number in case they suspect danger
- call your number or any other number of a trusted person if they need help
- seek the safest place in the house where they will be secured until help arrives
- use a designated escape route to get as far away from a possible attacker and seek help

Teach them preparedness
You could buy all the home security gadgets you can afford but nothing can protect your kids as well as being physically and mentally prepared. This is critical in case no grownup is present to offer assistance or guidance. For example, you could teach them how to use a fire escape in case a fire breaks out or to keep their wits about them. Having an emergency phone and a list of emergency numbers on hand will also be very helpful in case they need to call for help.

voice alert home protection system image