GENERAL INFORMATION PAGE

Awareness is the key: Increasing your personal awareness is an integral part of decreasing the potential for violence against you. Personal awareness is the most important element of effective self-defense.  An awareness of the reality of crime, as well as an awareness of your environment, is the key to your personal safety and security.

Being aware does not have to involve paranoia.  You should not live your life expecting a problem, but you can train yourself to be more alert, and adjust you level of awareness as needed.

Trust you instincts:  Learn to trust your instincts and “listen” to your intuition. Trust the voice within you when it tells you that something does not look right.  At this point, you should be ready to take action, if necessary.

Avoid presenting a victim profile:  Crime victims are generally chosen because they are easy targets.  Criminals prey on the weak and unsuspecting, and usually avoid those who are aware of their surrounding and may put up resistance.  When in public, keep your head up, and walk confidently.  Without the element of surprise the criminal may change his mind.

Lights, people and noise:  Always remember that your greatest allies are lights, people and noise.  These are three things that criminals fear the most, because they increase the likelihood that they will be seen and caught.  Whenever possible travel in groups or in populated areas.  Stay clear of dark areas or isolated areas where you lose the advantage.

Your first priority is escape:  If you end up in a dangerous situation, remember that your number one priority is not to fight, but to escape by any available route. If you are confronted and you cannot immediately escape, you may want to consider complying until you find a way of escape.  When faced with the loss of property, give it to them.  Your life is more valuable than anything you possess.

You must react quickly:  One of the greatest challenges to defending yourself is that acts of violence happen quickly.  When an attack occurs suddenly you are at a disadvantage, especially if you are not prepared.  This is especially true if you rely solely on some form of weapon for our defense: pepper spray, stun guns or firearms are only helpful if you get to them in time.  Try to anticipate dangerous situations in advance, and prepare to take quick action.

Almost anything can be a weapon:  Pen, pencil, phone or lamp, or any other hard or sharp object.  You can look around for anything in the area that can be used for a weapon.  A Kubaton key chain is excellent.

When attacked, attack back:  You need to make the attacker worry about their own safety, instead how they are going to hurt you.  In an extreme situation, you may have to become vicious.  Attack weaker points on the body: eyes, throat, or groin.  Do not hesitate, since it only gives your attacker more time to formulate an attack.  Overwhelm you attacker, trying to momentarily disable them, so you can escape.

The element of surprise:  Second to awareness, surprise is perhaps the most important element of effective self-defense.  Using it to your advantage can give you a devastating edge in a confrontation.  The number of deceptive counterattacks is limited only by your imagination.  For example, you might pretend to be passive, by appearing to submit to your assailant wishes, only to attack him when he least expects it.  You might also try to talk to your attacker, then suddenly throw something in his face, and then run.   In any case, it will be your ability to stay as calm as possible, while you keep thinking, that will make the difference.

SAFEGUARDS YOU CAN TAKE FOR PERSONAL SAFETY

*When walking, do not carry your purse by the handle or strap. Keep it close to your body

*Never leave your purse lying on a counter or in a shopping cart.  Always keep purses closures fastened.

*Walk only in well-lighted, well-traveled streets.  Avoid parks, dark parking lots and construction areas after dark/

*Walk near the curb rather than near buildings, alleys or shrubbery.

*If you believe you are being followed, turn around and look.  If you are in danger, you can prepare to deal with it.

*If, while you are walking, you are accosted by someone in a car, run in the opposite direction that the car is facing.  In the time is takes the car to turn around, you can be gone.

HOME SECURITY

*Use strong locks on every door of your home, and a chain lock or peephole on all windowless doors.

*Never open your door until you know who is standing on the other side.  Repair or delivery persons can be identified by their identification cards by calling their places of employment.

*Do not put first name on your mailbox or in the telephone directory.  Use your first name initials.

*Have your keys in your hand, both to and from your home or car.  Keep the key you intend to use poised in a position so it could be used as a weapon.  Know which way your key goes into the lock.

*If you find evidence that an intruder has entered your home, DO NOT ENTER!  Call police immediately with mobile phone (away from your home) or from a neighbor’s house.

*Do not go to the laundry room in the basement of an apartment building alone.  Do your laundry with a friend.

*Inform your baby-sitter of all precautionary measures to follow.  Insist, for the safety of the sitter and your children, that these rules be followed in your absence.

*If you are hesitant about entering an elevator with a stranger, wait for the next elevator.  When in the elevator, stand close to the control panel and know where the alarm is located.

*Carry a whistle in your hand or around your wrist. Loud noises will attract other people and frighten an assailant.

*Do not allow anyone to follow your apartment building.  Just because the person is holding a key, does not mean that the key fits the door to your building.

*Do not give personal information to strangers over the phone, or the let the caller know that you are alone at home.

*If you receive a “wrong number” call, never disclose your phone number or name.  Ask what number the caller trying to reach and instruct the caller to dial again.

VEHICLE SAFETY

 *Always check the back seat of your car for intruders before entering.

 *If you are being followed in a car, do not drive home.  Drive to a police, fire or gas station, or any well lighted area.  Remember your horn is a good alarm.

 *To help prevent carjacking, lock all doors, even when driving.

 *When stopped in traffic, leave enough space between your car and the car ahead of you for quick departure.

 *If another vehicle bumps your vehicle, do not stop.  Either drive to a well-lighted and traveled area to inspect the damage, or attempt to get the vehicle’s license number and report it immediately to the police.

 *If available, take freeways rather than streets through high crime areas.

 *If parked in a shopping mall or market parking lot, look around for anyone or anything suspicious before approaching your car.  If you feel you are being watched, go back into the store and ask for someone to escort you, or call the police.

 *Stay in the center lane; avoid being blocked into the curb lane.

YOUR BEST DEFENSE AGAINST ATTACK IS AWARENESS.  REMAIN ALERT AND AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS.

SAFEGUARDS YOU CAN TAKE:

Weapons Common to a purse or handbag:

            nail-file

            rat-tail comb

            teasing brush

            pens and pencils

            keys

            anything rigid

Striking Areas:

            groin

            eyes

            ears

            nose

            throat

Note: do not swing at an assailant.  Roundhouse or overhand blows are easy to deflect or evade.  Your movements should be made with all your strength, and should be straight ahead movements.  Remember that screaming may be the first important thing you may do.

Confrontation: Fighting for your safety may be necessary.  However, if you start out fighting, you cancel any other options that might be open to you.  Since many attacks on women are not sexually motivated, and are designed to degrade and humiliate, talking your way out of it may be easier.

There is documentation of assailants that left a would-be-victim alone after she told him that she was pregnant and it would harm her unborn child (in some cases, the women were too old have a child).

If it aware that the assailant’s attack is sexual in nature, putting your finger down you throat to induce vomiting may get results (last resort idea).  You can think of other ideas if you use your imagination.

If the assailant has a gun or knife, or there are multiple attackers, fighting may be futile.

SAFEGUARDS AGAINST CHILD ABDUCTORS OR MOLESTERS

Child molesters and abductors look like everyday people.  Tell you children not to talk with adults or older teens (anyone) they do not know.  Anytime someone approaches children they should talk their parents or a trust adult immediately.

 Often times a molester or abductor will befriend a child by asking for help (help to find a lost pet, asking directions to someone’s house, a reward for helping, saying Mom or Dad have been hurt and need their help, acting like an undercover police officer, or offering money for assistance).

CHILDREN ARE MOST VULNERABLE WHEN ALONE

Those who prey on children wait for an opportunity when the child is alone.  Children should not be alone outside their home at any time by themselves, even for a short period of time.  They should walk to and from school and bus stops in groups.

Working together with other families in your neighborhood is a good precaution.  You should know the families well before recommending your children stop there.  Join a Neighborhood Watch Program.

Tell children to stay away from cars.  A car or other vehicle is often the means by which an abductor removes a child from the neighborhood.  Staying away from vehicles helps to prevent a child from being pulled into that vehicle.  Children should never approach a vehicle without parental permission. 

COMMON SENSE IDEAS

Nobody can learn self-defense in a few hours.  There are no magical trick moves to defeat any opponent.  Many methods and items marketed for personal defense are not practical in real life, or can have serious legal consequences. 

 Self-defense is best preventing by stopping assaults before they take place.  In other words, it is worth it to go the extra mile to avoid trouble.  Unfortunately, the choice is not always ours, and situations may sometimes require us to do something that is contrary to our normal way of thinking.  It is our goal to help develop strategies of assault prevention.

 Here are some common sense tips on how to avoid violence. Remember, most of the violent situations (mainly domestic violence) begin after verbal quarrels.  Always try to “cool down” the situation or leave your home before it is too late.

 General Considerations

 *If you see or sense problems on your way, just change your route, and prepare to run or defend yourself.

 *Do not wear conspicuous jewelry when you are walking on the street alone.

 *Do not hitchhike, but use a bus or a taxi. 

 *Do not act like an easy target.  Be confident.

 *Most fights are won before they begin (maintain eye contact and do not be intimidated).

 
Public Transport

*There is safety in numbers. Wait in a coffee shop or in a well-lighted area for the transport to arrive.

*Do not choose the window seat as an assailant may block you in.

*After peak hours, always choose the train compartment carrying the most passengers or somewhere near the conductor.

*On buses, sit behind the driver or next to the door for quick exit.

Motor Vehicles

*Danger areas are stepping out of your car or walking to your vehicle.

*Always approach your vehicle with key in hand.

*Windows should be up and doors locked when driving. 

*Always check you car prior to entering.

 *Never leave your car unlocked, even for a few minutes to make a quick purchase, etc. 

 *NEVER get into a car even if someone is pointing a knife or handgun at you.  Run immediately away from the car, screaming loudly.  In some circumstances the assailant will drive away and seek another easier target.  If you enter the car the assailant has a much better opportunity to drive away and control your circumstances.

 *Never pull your car over on a quiet road if someone drives alongside your vehicle, pointing at the tires, etc.  Continue driving  to a well-lit or crowded location before exiting your vehicle.

*Always be alert in parking lots, especially at night.  If you are concerned, ask for an escort to your vehicle.

Taxis

*Always check the identification of the driver.  Make sure that it matches the driver of the cab.

*Be wary of vehicles with central locking devices.

*Sit on the passenger side in the rear seat.

*Order taxis when practical, rather than just jump into one at the curb.

Public Phone Booths

*When calling from a telephone box dial the numbers and turn around so that your back is to the phone.  This will provide opportunity to tell someone you are in trouble or sense danger.  You may also use the phone as a weapon.  A foot in the center of the door will help prevent someone from entering from the outside.

Walking/jogging

*If you have car trouble and are walking to find help, make an attempt to walk against traffic so that you can see what is coming.

*If a vehicle shadows you, run back in the direction you came.

*Do not use a walkman or Ipod type devices while walking in isolated areas.

*Change your walking or jogging routines regularly.

*Be familiar with your normal walking schedule, so that you can remember stores, etc., you might slip into in an emergency.

Object you can use for self-defense

*Indoors: any hard object, chairs, bottles, can goods, kitchen utensils.  You may also use knitting needles, ink pens or pencils, or even your cellular phone.

*Outdoors: sand, stones, coins, bricks, wood, etc.  An opponent can be pushed or thrown against pointed gates, railings, or walls.

*Handbags/purses:  purses may contain an arsenal of weapons.  Hairbrush, lipsticks, eyeliners pencils, perfumes to spray in the eyes.

Striking areas and locations will be dealt with in the physical portion of the class.

Home Safety / Abduction

Before opening the door, always find out who's there.

Don’t open the door to anyone until you're sure it's safe to do so. If someone you don't know tries to get in and won't go away, call the police.

Answer the phone with a simple hello. Don't give your name. If a caller asks your name, ask them whom they were trying to reach.

If the caller asks, "What number is this?" ask them what number they called.

Never let a caller know you are alone. Tell the caller your parents aren't able to come to the phone, and take a message.

Never give your address over the phone. Hang up straight away if you receive an obscene call, and notify the telephone company.

Keep a list of emergency numbers, including a reliable relative's or friend's, directly by the phone.

 
Stranger Danger

 Teaching your child about strangers Once every three days in the US, another innocent child is murdered by an abductor. For generations, parents have attempted to protect their children by warning them not to talk to strangers. Present-day experience tells us we need to go further in stranger awareness, and take some specific steps to keep our children safe.

 Explain the word, "Stranger"- Does your child know what a stranger is? Many younger children think that a stranger is someone that looks strange, and not just someone that they don't know. Point out someone at the supermarket that you don't know and ask your child, AIs this a stranger?

Review stranger scenarios- Be sure your child learns to recognize the techniques predators use, including offering candy or toys to get in a car, asking for help finding a lost pet, or fabricating a story about picking the child up in place of a sick parent. One non-threatening way to introduce this idea is to use the online comics at McGruff.com that address the issue.

Take a buddy- Encourage your kids to use a buddy system when they venture outside your home. Even if they are walking to school, playing outside, or shopping at the mall, your children should know to have a friend or family member nearby. It's also a lot more fun!

Have an action plan- Does your child know what to do if a stranger approaches them? Do they know a safe place to go? It's a good idea to review some prevention steps for a potentially dangerous situation. Here are a few suggestions: If someone who makes them uncomfortable approaches a child, tell them to yell 'NO' and run to a safe place.

Never open the door when home alone.

Make sure each child memorizes its full name, address and phone number.

Fire Safety

Keep matches, lighters and other heat sources out of children's reach. Playing with matches and lighters is the leading cause of fire deaths for children ages 5 and under.

Keep flammable items such as clothing, furniture, newspapers or magazines away from the fireplace, heater or radiator.

Keep all portable heaters out of children=s reach.

Avoid plugging several appliance cords into the same electrical socket.

Replace old or frayed electrical wires and appliance cords, and keep them on top of, not beneath rugs.

Store all flammable liquids such as gasoline outside of the home.

Prepare your home:

Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and in every sleeping area. Consider installing both ionization alarms, which are better at sensing flaming fires, and photoelectric alarms, which are better at sensing slow, smoky fires.

Test smoke alarms monthly. Maintain alarms by replacing batteries at least once a year, and replace alarms every 10 years. Plan and practice two escape routes out of each room of the house. It is important to have an alternate escape route in case one is blocked by fire. Fire drills should be practiced spontaneously both during the day and at night. More than 50 percent of fire deaths in the home occur between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Keep furniture and other heavy objects out of the way of doors and windows, so they won=t block an escape.

Designate an outside meeting place, so all members of the family can be accounted for quickly.

   
Teach safety:

     Children should know the sound of the smoke alarm. When they hear it, teach them to:

Crawl low under smoke. An estimated three-fourths of childhood fire deaths are caused by the smoke and toxic gases produced as a fire develops and spreads.

Touch doors before opening them. If the door is hot, use an alternative exit.

Never go back into a burning building. Children should be reminded not to stop or return for anything, such as a toy or to call an emergency number. An emergency call should be placed after leaving the premises.

Stop, drop and roll." Upon leaving the burning house or building, children whose clothes have caught on fire should immediately stop, drop to the ground and roll themselves back and forth quickly to extinguish the flames.

Home Safety / Abduction