Personal Security At Home and On The Road

According to statistics provided by the FBI, a violent crime occurs every 18 seconds. A violent assault happens every 29 seconds, a murder every 24 minutes, and a forcible rape occurs every 5 minutes. If you're like most people, you want to take steps to avoid becoming one of these statistics.

Personal protection should at least be in the back of your mind whether your at home, on vacation, or just running around town. Even in the face of such statistics, however, no one should live in constant fear. These numbers are a general figure, and not broken down by location.

It is something that we should all be aware of, though. Obviously, location is a major factor in your level of safety at any given time. Of course, known high crime areas should be avoided. When you're out and about, carry yourself in a manner that does not show weakness or fear. Violent criminals will pick up on your body language. Obviously, someone that seems weaker, will represent an easier target.

Unless you have the training and experience, carrying a concealed firearm is probably not a good idea. Even people that carry them would probably hesitate when the time came to use them. Other, less controversial options include pepper spray, whistles, and other devices such as tasers.

Many people claim that the reason they have cell phones is for emergencies. Many people are also running around with phones that have dead or dying batteries. This defeats the purpose of having one for emergencies. Keeping your batteries charged and ready for anytime time you leave the house could possibly save your life.

Many criminals will study a potential target to see if they can determine any type of pattern. Having a set daily routine can allow a violent criminal to know exactly when and where they should strike. Most violent acts are not committed randomly. Things such as divorce, broken relationships, conflicts at work and other experiences can lead to someone wanting to harm you.

If possible, always travel with at least one other person. Most violent criminals will pass on small groups of people and lie in wait for a more solitary target. A single person is commonly an easier target. Rarely will a single attacker attempt to take on more than one person, due to the fact that they are outnumbered and the possibility of someone getting away for help.

Utilize you door and window locks, even when you are at home. You may know your neighbors well and feel comfortable around them, but you can't be too cautious. Even though it's less common, rapes and burglaries do sometimes happen when people are at home during broad daylight.

Always be conscious of what's going on around you whether you are at home or away. Keep your family and your belongings nearby and in plain sight. You don't have to be paranoid, but a little awareness and common sense can go a long way in making you and your family feel more secure. It will also keep you from becoming one of those statistics.