It is that time of year again where we hear kids frolicking, laughing and screaming on their way to school and/or to the school bus.  Therefore, sometimes it is hard to distinguish when a kid is screaming if it is just play or they need help.  

By law, under the age of 18 cannot carry a stun gun or pepper spray and let's face it that is probably not a bad idea.  But, what can kids do to help protect themselves.  

First, you need to have a serious conversation with your children to never ever go with a stranger.  Next to never go up to a strangers vehicle - not to look at a puppy, get a piece of candy, etc.  

Second, teach your children to shout - NO, leave me alone!  Go Away!!!  But then also activate the 120 decibal siren on our Holla Hers or Holla His tools.  Teach them trigger words that would draw attention while activating their alarm.  

Third to run away while screaming NO at the top of their lungs and sounding their alarm.   These tools also have a flashlight on them and easily attach to back packs, key rings, purses, etc.  

These tools and others can be found on my webpage at www.mydamselpro.net/PRO13361

Here are some great tips to share with your kids (especially preteen & teenagers).  The following tips are provided by kids health.org. 

Reduce Your RisksAnother part of self-defense is doing things that can help you stay safe. Here are some tips from the National Crime Prevention Council and other experts:

• Understand your surroundings. Walk or hang out in areas that are open, well lit, and well traveled. Become familiar with the buildings, parking lots, parks, and other places you walk. Pay particular attention to places where someone could hide — such as stairways and bushes.
• Avoid shortcuts that take you through isolated areas.
• If you're going out at night, travel in a group.
• Make sure your friends and parents know your daily schedule (classes, sports practice, club meetings, etc.). If you go on a date or with friends for an after-game snack, let someone know where you're going and when you expect to return.
• Check out hangouts. Do they look safe? Are you comfortable being there? Ask yourself if the people around you seem to share your views on fun activities — if you think they're being reckless, move on.
• Be sure your body language shows a sense of confidence. Look like you know where you're going and act alert.
• When riding on public transportation, sit near the driver and stay awake. Attackers are looking for vulnerable targets.
• Carry a cell phone if possible. Make sure it's programmed with your parents' phone number.
• Be willing to report crimes in your neighborhood and school to the police.

As always, the best advice is to get your children and yourself into self-defense classes.  Stay acutely aware of your surroundings - the best key to self defense is awareness and prevention!  

I am reading a book called "The Gift of Fear and other Survival Signals That Protect Us From Violence" and it is a very eye opening book.  I encourage everyone to read this book for your own self protection!!!

Today is about "Too Many Details" - simply stated when people are telling the truth they do not need to support with supplemental information but when they lie it does not sound creditable to themselves so they continue to keep talking.  This technique is a distraction as well to keep us from focusing on the obvious - such as he is a complete stranger that just walked up to me, etc.  The writer recommends an exercise of occasionally reminding yourself of where you are and what your relationship is to the people around you.  

Remember, if you find yourself in a situation that does not feel right to you and someone is providing to much detail remove yourself from that situation.  It is ok to put up your hand - palm out in a defensive manner and speak loudly, clearly and firmly and say "Stop - move away from me".  Draw attention to you and your situation as this they do not want.  

As always - find a good self defense class and take it!!!  Remember your 6th sense - that niggly feeling is a great receptor for your protection - DO NOT IGNORE!!!  

Have a Blessed Day!  

I never even really gave much thought to identity theft and my cell phone but as usual USA.GOV sent out a great article.  I truly probably need to up / change my password on my phone.  Thankfully when my purse was stolen a couple years ago my phone was not in it so I did not have to worry about it as well.  But, for ease it does have a ton of information on it.  Therefore, I need to think about what I have on that phone to ensure that I get ahold of all accounts to change my information.   I like the idea of a list so I am not having to flip through my book & think about who I had in my wallet, etc.  Then, I think I will go further and for every acct. on my phone I can put an asterics by it as well.  Some accounts will make the list because they are on my phone even though nothing in my wallet.  

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/identity-thief-stole-my-phone?utm_campaign=%2B+Laws+and+Legal+Issues&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--QXktXm6UuViddYH-gOZmhHLl0mZQyuF2kc4Qf5XscYap01Xpjz-L1F5l6Dz2uA4YacweX8LoUEo8Rzlx879IN-0EVXILhesUO-1ZBWzo61dyENCE&_hsmi=54502996&utm_content=54502996&utm_source=hs_email&hsCtaTracking=903e37b6-b9da-4c67-8a62-64cb81c6585f%7Ce1381229-8fb9-4a1e-aad3-160c48ef331c

​Of course, we would all like it if our purses / phones were not stolen in the first place but unfortunately the statics say otherwise.   Therefore, we all need to think about how to keep our identity safe when it does happen.  

Unfortunately, the amount of scams out there just seem to be increasing as well.  So, we need to learn some self-defense tools in regards to protecting our money and our identity.

First, let me tell you about the recent scam that I have received.  Actually, I have received it twice now via phone messages.  (866) area code that leaves a message telling me that I am hiding a scam on the federal government and that I need to call them back immediately to rectify.  Yeah, I'll get right on that - NOT!  IRS does not call as they send out letters which is the first clue.  They also do not threaten with imprisonment, etc.  

Below is a link to some great tips from the IRS on what they will and will not do to help you determine if it is part of a scam or not.  

https://www.irs.gov/uac/tax-scams-consumer-alerts

The link below is for the current / recent tax scams.  
Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts

Know Who to Contact

• Contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration to report a phone scam. Use their “IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting” web page. You can also call 800-366-4484.
  
  
• Report phone scams to the Federal Trade Commission. Use the “FTC Complaint Assistant” on FTC.gov. Please add "IRS Telephone Scam" in the notes.
  
  
• Report an unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS, or an IRS-related component like the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System, to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov.

Also at https://www.ftc.gov​ you can register your phone # on the Federal do not call registry.  Then, if you get solicitations you can report them.  Also, while there you can sign up to receive alerts about the latest scams so you can stay abreast of them and hopefully not fall pray to one of them.  

One of the best self defense tools you can have is a Kubaton otherwise known as Striking Tools.  These allow you to quickly be able to strike your attacker so you can scream and run away.  

Here is a video on how to use one.  I do not recommend this for your overall training - you should seek out local self defense training but this will give you some tips. 

kubotan-training-technique-drill

​The Striking tools shown below are the Sock It To Me striking tools that attach to your key chain so they can always be in your hand / easily accessible.  These are in different colors and are available from Damsel In Defense.  You can get yours from my website www.mydamselpro.net/PRO13361.

​

I absolutely love this post and if we can all remember the S.M.A.R.T. acronyms and what they stand for then we will all be a lot safer!

Safe Is Smart 
February 28th, 2017 


What do we mean when we say: Safe Is Smart?
SABRE–Security Equipment Corporation was founded more than 40 years ago, on the principle of providing trustworthy and effective personal and home security tools. The products we have provided from the beginning have always been easy-to-use and dependable—ensuring that the user has peace of mind in helping protect them with the best non-lethal security and self-defense tools available.
SABRE products are only one of the several items you should have in your arsenal. You also have to be prepared to defend yourself and know how to use your personal safety device. You must know what to be alert for, and how to use the tools at your disposal. SABRE realizes that while the best pepper sprays, gels, and stun guns in the world are great, they are even better with training and education. 
We want to ensure that users are informed on how to not only be SAFE, but SMART as well—that they know when, where, why, and how to be ready to defend themselves during what could easily be the most stressful and frightening time in someone’s life. 
An easy way to remember what you need to do to be safe is to be S.M.A.R.T

• Serious – be sure you are not distracted or impaired—always be engaged with what is happening around you
• Mobile – you shouldn’t be encumbered by heavy bags or packages, you need to be able to move quickly and efficiently
• Alert – looking at your phone or obliviously listening to music makes you easy to surprise and harm
• Ready – have your SABRE pepper spray or gel in your hand or easily accessible
• Train – know how to deter, defend, escape, and alert others to your situation

SABRE is proud to sponsor safety instruction through our Personal Security Academy (PSA) across the country on campuses and in communities near you. Learn how to avoid situations that can lead to trouble, but also know how to defend yourself if trouble finds you. Register for a PSA course near you.
Safe Is Smart is more than a slogan for SABRE. It embodies who we are.

- See more at: https://www.sabrered.com/blog/safe-smart?inf_contact_key=e68b8c3621fad987f96e796f982417ab49d3242b87fb54fd38691c84b6249bc3#sthash.R1YbvPLC.dpuf

Do you and your child know what to do if they get lost?  I can only imagine as a parent the panic and trepidation one would feel if they lose a child in the mall, at the park, etc.  

PrettyLoaded.Org is one of my favorite safety tip sites!  They have done it again with some great safety tips for your children when you are out in the public.  

First and foremost, you need to know where your child is at all times especially under the age of 8.  Do not trust they will stay right by your side just because you have told them as they get easily distracted.  

1) Discuss a location to meet should you get split up.  Make sure they know the name of the location and have them repeat it.  Also, need to be easily understood by others.  

2) Teach your child that if they are lost to find a woman dn preferably a woman who has children with her.  Inform your child to NEVER go outside or to a different location with a stranger - even if they say then know where their parents are at.  

3) Educate your child to scream.  He is not my father or she is not my mother if the stranger is trying to take them outside or to a different location.  If they scream NO - typically it is just thought of as a disciplinary action.

4) Go to an employee or service desk to have them announce a description of your child that is missing over the intercom.  Do not wait too long to do this!

5) Dress your child in brightly colored clothing so it is easy to spot them.  

6) Be careful and at an arms-length with little ones around elevators because the doors can close before you can get to them.  

7) Put a harness on your very young child if the location is crowded.  

8) Invest in a wearable GPS tracker for your child.  
Here is a link:  10-wearable-tracking-devices-keep-children-safe

Remember when your child recoiled from someone?  There may be a reason for this and you need to trust their instincts and honor those instincts as well as teach them!

I know summertime can be a little bit different than the holidays as we are out at the parks a great deal more vs. being inside at the mall.  However, many of these same tips still apply.  No matter the situation, please prepare and review with your children each and every time!  

​Be Safe!  

The following tips are simple and can be taught to your child in less than five minutes. Some recommendations are age dependent:

1. Discuss a location to meet should you get split up. Make sure they know the name of the location and have them repeat the name to you. The location needs to be easily understood by others. Examples: fish tank, service desk, kid’s park etc…
2. You need to know where your child is at all times if he/she is under the age of eight. Do not trust that your child will stay by you just because you told them. Children get easily distracted and it is normal for them to wander off. It’s hard to shop and watch at the same time, so you may need someone else along to help.
3. Teach your child that if they are lost to find a woman and preferably a woman who has children with her.
4. Inform your child to NEVER go outside or to a different location with a strangereven if the stranger says they know where the parents are located.
5. Educate your child to scream, “He is not my father or she is not my mother!”, if someone tries to take him/her outside or to a different location. Most onlookers will not stop to help a child if they are only yelling, “No, no!”, because it appears to be a disciplinary problem.
6. Go to an employee or service desk to have them announce a description of your child that is missing over the intercom. It is very important to know exactly what your child is wearing. Do not wait too long to do this.
7. Dress your child in brightly colored clothing so it is easy to spot them.
8. Be very careful and at an arms-length with little ones around elevators because the doors can close before you can get to them.
9. Put a harness on your very young child if the location is crowded.
10. Invest in a wearable GPS tracker for your child. A list of trackers is loca.
11. Avoid exposing your children to negative television news coverage. Our media actively reports on the increasing acts of violence in our world and children’s exposure to violent news stories can cause unnecessary chronic fear that is very unhealthy for a developing child.

The following tips are simple and can be taught to your child in less than five minutes. Some recommendations are age dependent:

1. Discuss a location to meet should you get split up. Make sure they know the name of the location and have them repeat the name to you. The location needs to be easily understood by others. Examples: fish tank, service desk, kid’s park etc…
2. You need to know where your child is at all times if he/she is under the age of eight. Do not trust that your child will stay by you just because you told them. Children get easily distracted and it is normal for them to wander off. It’s hard to shop and watch at the same time, so you may need someone else along to help.
3. Teach your child that if they are lost to find a woman and preferably a woman who has children with her.
4. Inform your child to NEVER go outside or to a different location with a strangereven if the stranger says they know where the parents are located.
5. Educate your child to scream, “He is not my father or she is not my mother!”, if someone tries to take him/her outside or to a different location. Most onlookers will not stop to help a child if they are only yelling, “No, no!”, because it appears to be a disciplinary problem.
6. Go to an employee or service desk to have them announce a description of your child that is missing over the intercom. It is very important to know exactly what your child is wearing. Do not wait too long to do this.
7. Dress your child in brightly colored clothing so it is easy to spot them.
8. Be very careful and at an arms-length with little ones around elevators because the doors can close before you can get to them.
9. Put a harness on your very young child if the location is crowded.
10. Invest in a wearable GPS tracker for your child. A list of trackers is located here.
11. Avoid exposing your children to negative television news coverage. Our media actively reports on the increasing acts of violence in our world and children’s exposure to violent news stories can cause unnecessary chronic fear that is very unhealthy for a developing child.

I have seen this recently on social media and even forwarded on myself - which I should know better.  I usually check them out before hand but I saw CNN and Fox so thought this must be true.  Then thought more of it after I had forwarded it on to my friends.  So much for believing things on social media even when they site news reports :). 

Even though there is no credible evidence that this is occurring, I would not doubt that this has occurred somewhere.  After all, someone had to at least think of the idea or knows that it happened for it to be written.  So, I always encourage people to proceed with caution and to listen to your inner voice when helping others.  Nowadays, most people have cell phones and if a child is lost and crying, if they know their parents phone # then I would call them, if not, I would call the police and let them take them home.  They get them home safely and it keeps you safe at the same time. 

http://www.hoax-slayer.com/gang-member-child-lure-warning.shtml