Violent crime against senior citizens used to be unthinkable. It was rare that a street thug would target an elderly person; however criminals of today have a totally different mindset. They prey upon those they perceive to be weak and an easy target and who will offer the least resistance. In the mind of a street thug, seniors fit this category. This alone is why you need to become informed, and do whatever you can to keep yourself from becoming a victim.
Oftentimes senior citizens are led to believe that they have somehow lost the ability to defend themselves against criminals and crime in general. This belief is totally false and in fact there are many quick and easy things seniors can do to defend themselves.
The first thing you should do is find a senior self defense class in your area. Many organizations provide these free of charge. Check with your local police department, YMCA or seniors club in your area. Many community organizations offer these classes free of charge.
Many seniors are opposed to carrying weapons of any kind. This is a thought process that needs to change. Pepper spray or a stun gun are ideal choices and offer a level of protection that will not only boost your confidence but actually allow you to survive an assault by temporarily incapacitating your attacker. Each of these weapons are extremely easy to operate and take just a few minutes to learn.
Because many seniors are so opposed to carrying something such as pepper spray, if you do use it, the attacker will be caught off guard and the element of surprise will buy you the critical time you need to get to a safe location and notify the police. The effects of either weapon are temporary and will not cause permanent injury.
If you are not willing to carry a traditional weapon consider using a cane if you have one. Swing the cane in an “X” pattern, targeting the knees, elbows and other bony parts of the attackers’ body. These strikes will be effective but in very temporary way. They will probably only distract an attacker, so a secondary plan is definitely needed. I would suggest a Personal Alarm. They are a very small discreet device that you can carry in a pocket, purse or on your belt that when activated sound a very loud ear piercing noise which causes your attacker to flee and forget about attacking you. Many alarms are equipped with flashing strobe lights and a few even contain hidden pepper spray giving you the best of both worlds.
Of course, the best way to defend yourself is to not allow yourself to become a victim in the first place. I know this may sound like an obvious statement but simply by adhering to a few easy to follow best practices you can greatly lower your chances of becoming a victim. When you are going out, try and keep jewelry hidden or simply wear it discreetly. Do not carry large amounts of cash. Remain aware of what is going on around you. If you see or even sense something bad, adjust your actions accordingly. Changing the direction you are walking is far easier than recovering from injuries you sustain in an attack.
Senior safety at home is a whole different ballgame but equally as important. Do not keep large sums of money at home. Consider using a debit card and having any monthly payments due you directly deposited into a bank account.
Do not divulge any personal information over the phone or in person. DO NOT withdraw any money from a bank account unless you are absolutely sure you know who you are giving it to. There are a huge number of scams out there and many target seniors. In fact many seniors are scammed out of their life savings simply because they felt sorry for someone or had their emotions preyed upon. If something seems too good to be true, it most definitely is.
When it comes to defending yourself, anyone can improve their abilities. All it takes is the desire to take a stand, educate yourself, and practice some of the techniques mentioned here. With your new found confidence and some practice you will already have done a great deal to lessen your chances of becoming a victim.
Chris Bruno is a retired police officer and contributing author to Safety Products Depot. His certification as a Pepper Spray [http://www.safetyproductsdepot.com/pepper-spray.html] Instructor gives him unique insight into the effectiveness of this defensive weapon. Chris is offering you a 10% discount off any purchase at [http://www.safetyproductsdepot.com] Visit the site now to claim your discount coupon.
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