Protect Yourself!

There have been a few scary situations in the Columbia area recently. There was a robbery and a rape in the downtown area within the past month. I know that for other places across the country this sounds like nothing, but when you are a woman ANYWHERE, your ears perk up and pay attention. I wanted to post this to let women know a few ways to protect themselves if they are ever in unsafe situations.
First, if you absolutely have to be by yourself, try to be on your cell phone. DO NOT let your cell phone be a distraction! Make sure you keep your head up and be aware of who and what is around you. An attacker is less likely to choose you if you look prepared for anything.
If you feel like being on your phone is not going to deter the most determined attackers, here are some more proactive things you can do:

1. Get a dog. Get a big dog that looks mean, but is not necessarily agressive. Many people (even grown men), are afraid of dogs. Don't get a miniture poodle cause that's not going to scare anybody!
   
2. Buy a taser. You can get one online for as cheap as $21 at http://www.defenseproducts101.com/stunguns.html. There are many different types of tasers/stun-guns. They range from products that send a one time shock of 80,000 to 950,000 volts. Then there are the high-end, police issue tasers that will hit a person from 15 feet away with a 50,000 volt charge for a longer length of time. They even have tasers that are disguised as guns.
   
3. For those who aren't ready to see someone loose control of all bodily functions at their doing, there is always pepper spray. You can buy it for as little as five bucks, so this is an option everyone can afford.
4. Your last resort is of course our second amendment right to bear arms. If you are of legal age and your state deems you a responsible enough person. Guns are expensive, but they are a sure-fire way to get the message across that you want someone to back off!

There are other things like self defense classes that you can look into in your area, but they are time consuming, and not a guarantee. The point is, don't be a victim. You have options to protect yourself. It is sad to see so many women in not just America, but the world, be victimized. In some places in the world, there is nothing that those women can do to protect themselves. In this country we have options and we should take advantage of them.