Elbert County Sheriff’s Office

A Simple Guide to Home Security and Self Defense

It is always best to try and avoid becoming a victim of a crime. This does not mean placing great restrictions on what you do or where you go. But it does mean becoming more attuned to your surroundings, avoiding potentially dangerous situations, and using common sense strategies so that you do not come across as an easy target. Sometimes the very best weapon that you can possess is your head.

Here are some strategies to help avoid becoming the victim of a would-be crime:

• When you are away, leave a light, radio or television on. Electronic timers work great if you don’t want to leave an item on all the time and they can be set to come on at specific times and then cut themselves off.
• Do not open the door to your home unless you can positively identify who is there. If you cannot view who is outside, install a peephole on your front door.
• Avoid using automated teller machines that are outside, particularly after dark.
• Learn how to change a tire by yourself, if you drive. If you spend a lot of time on the road, consider buying a cellular phone.
• Get in the habit of writing down tag numbers of strange vehicles in your area.
• When leaving work or study hall, always leave with a group. Remember most bad guys are cowards and will not seek a confrontation with a group.
• Get to know your neighbors and watch out for each other.
• Consider purchasing pepper spray or some other chemical irritant and make sure you know how to use it properly.
• Consider a dog. Dogs are very good at keeping burglars away from the home and early detectors when something is not right.
• Firearms are one of the best defenses you can have for home security. Before purchasing one make sure that you get proper training in the use and operation of the weapon.
• One of the most valuable investments that we have as parents are our children. Instill these values of home security and self defense mechanisms in your children.
• Don’t let the thieves take your valuables. Use your imagination. Put your valuables in locations where the thief would never look.
• Motion detectors on light are also very good ways to keep problems away from your home.

Always trust your instincts.

Many experts say your gut reaction is usually right when it comes to predicting potentially violent situations. So, if you have a strange feeling about the man walking behind you, lose him by turning the corner or dropping into a store. Or if an acquaintance or date is intimidating you—acting too familiar, touching you in a way that makes you uncomfortable, or abusing you emotionally—discontinue the relationship as soon as possible. Think and do not become the prey of the lion.

Is Aggression the Answer to Violence?

Some women are hesitant to strike out at an attacker for fear that it will anger the assailant even more. But research suggests that, in many instances, fighting back and trying to run away from an attacker is usually a woman's best defense. While it may not be appropriate in every situation—such as when an attacker has a weapon—studies show that active resistance such as kicking the assailant in the groin, poking him in the eyes, or running away can reduce a woman's risk of sexual assault. Evidence also suggests that women who take the opposite approach—crying or pleading with the attacker—are more likely to get hurt. This type of vulnerable behavior sometimes increases an attacker's sense of power over a woman. On the same token, try to do whatever you can to avoid being placed in a car especially a trunk. Experts agree that when this occurs, most woman will be killed, raped or murdered.

Several reports suggest that women who have avoided acquaintance rape were likely to have acted defensively—for example, screaming, using verbal threats or running away. Assertive behavior may also be effective against robbery and physical assault. Forty-six graduates of a self-defense program decided to fight back when mugged. The majority reported they were able to knock out their assailants and escape and the rest weakened their attackers enough to avoid further harm.

A Few Strategies for Self-Defense

Experts point to several strategies that may be useful for women to use against an attacker—whether a stranger or someone they know. Many attackers are motivated, at least in part, by the need to over-power, control and humiliate you. If you are forceful enough, the would-be attacker might decide to leave you alone or you may buy enough time to run for safety.

To learn to how to properly use many of the following techniques, women might want to consider taking a course in self-defense. By practicing these tactics ahead of time, women can increase the chance of success in a real attack situation.

Here a few strategies you might use:

• Scream for help or carry a whistle and blow it. This tactic will probably only be helpful if you are in an urban or crowded area.
• Strike out and aim for vulnerable areas. Jab a key, pen, pencil, or your fingers in the attacker's eyes or face.
• If attacked from behind, stomp hard on the assailant's instep with your heel, then jab your elbow into the attacker's solar plexus, or right beneath his ribcage.
• If the attacker grabs you, make him loosen his hold by grabbing or hitting him in the groin area. There are several methods for doing this. It's most successful when you grab or hit the testicles from underneath.
• Repeat loudly phrases like "let me go," and don't be afraid to use other assertive language.
• When about to be hit, tuck in your elbows and take the force of the blow on your arms, not your chest.
• Try not to let an attacker force you into a car. The vast majority of women who are forced into a car are raped, seriously injured or killed.
• Use your gut instinct, if the assailant has a weapon, experts stress. If you can easily run to safety, there are a few tactics you might use. For instance, you might throw leaves, dirt, or rocks in the attacker's face or toss your purse or wallet at the attacker's knife hand as you run away. However, in the face of severe physical violence, a wiser strategy may be not to resist but to try to save your life. Also consider that if the attacker has a knife or gun accept the fact that you will be injured but also accept the fact that you will survive.
• Forget material things. Theses things can be replaced but your life cannot.
• Hit and Get. A common term whereas the potential victim makes a disabling strike, jab, or kick or even sprays the offender with pepper spray and then run and get away.

Some personal protection devices are very good and recommended for woman to carry such as mace, pepper spray, etc. If using one of these devices make sure you receive proper training and know how the device works.