Many people prefer the butterfly knife as a self-defense weapon because it is lightweight, easy to carry and efficient to use. However, for the uninitiated, the butterfly knife can prove to be a daunting weapon to use. And in a worst case scenario, it can be very dangerous indeed.  To make sure that no one turns your butterfly knife as a weapon against you, here are some important safety reminders:

Familiarize yourself with how the butterfly knife is built
A butterfly knife is so-called because of the way it is designed.  It is actually a folding knife that when closed, hides the blade between the grooves found in the two handles.  Opening and closing these handles mimics the movements of a butterfly’s wings, hence the name.

A butterfly knife is a pocket knife, around 5″ in length when closed.  When opened, it could extend up to 9″ or 9.5″, depending on the length of the blade.

Learn to open the knife efficiently
A butterfly knife can only be considered a weapon of self-defense if it is opened.  For beginners, opening the butterfly knife means using both hands.  For more experienced users, it is only a one-handed approach.  In an emergency, the most efficient and effective way to use a butterfly knife is of course, to open and close it using only one hand.  This is an important skill you should learn, something you cannot do properly unless you use the most basic safety steps.

First, find the safe handle of the butterfly knife. This is the handle that the blade does not touch.  The other handle is called the free handle because it is the one that makes most of the movements during opening and closing of the weapon.

You will be using the knife by grasping the safe handle and allowing the free handle to swing clockwise. The free handle should then be flipped up to join the safe handle cradled in your palm.  This will reveal the blade in full and allow you to begin using it.  Closing the knife simply requires that same movements – releasing the free handle and letting it swing clockwise, to be flipped to enclose the blade completely.

Practice
A butterfly knife can only be used safely for self-protection if you can open it quickly and without harming yourself.  If you’ve never handled a butterfly knife before, it’s important that you learn how to open and use it as soon as possible.  Spend half an hour to an hour’s worth of practice daily.  Once you’ve familiarize yourself with how the weapon feels and how it behaves, you should be able to use it efficiently, safely and confidently within just a week or so.

butterfly knives image

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