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Self Defense |
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Home-defense is pretty important. After all,
you probably spend a lot of time at home. Let’s take a look at some simple
things you can do to make your home, a safer home. We will also look at natural
weapons that you can use, and probably already have scattered around your home.
Locks
When you buy a home or first move into a rental
property, be sure to change the locks on all the external doors and do so as
soon as possible. You should also consider putting deadlocks on your external
doors, and windows.
If you don’t have them already, install and USE
locks on your windows. If you like to leave a window open at night, or when you
go out, consider having a GOOD security fly-screen installed. They can be a good
idea and will bring peace of mind.
The only problem with GOOD security screens is
that you can’t escape through that window if your home catches on fire, or you
hear someone breaking in through another part of your home.
A cheaper alternative to locks on your sliding
windows is to get and cut a piece of round dowel/wood to fit in the sliding
track of each sliding window. You can cut them four-inches (100mm) short, so
that the window can be opened, but not climbed through from outside.
To play it safe, you should keep the doors and
windows in your home locked day and night, whether you are home or out.
Natural weapons in your home
Every room in you home should have some kind of
natural weapon in it. You should consciously position items in ALL the rooms in
your home to use for self or home defense.
If you have an uninvited guest, the idea is to do
something to him that will slow him down long enough for you to escape and get
help. The first thing you should do is put a pen in every room. They make great
weapons!
The second thing you should do is go into every
room and come up with a way to get out of THAT room via a window - FAST!
Will you need to break a window or will it open
quickly? Can you dive through it or must you climb through it? Where will you go
once you are out? Think… this is important!
If you can get out, you will not need any natural
weapons. But have them in place, as back up.
Kitchen
Your kitchen is full of weapons, everything from
knives to spices. Leave spices like chili out on a bench or table. Salt is a
good one, and spray cans like fly spray and oven cleaner should be within easy
reach.
Lounge room
Your lounge room probably has a lamp on a small
table. Both of these items can be used. The TV remote control, or a CD case
could be used to strike the throat. Good solid ornaments, that we all have out
on display, can be used.
Bathroom
Hair spray, shower cleaner sprays and powders.
Some kind of beach-feel display with dry sand. Sand can make a great stand-in
for fly or hair spry.
Toilet
Yes, even here. It’s actually a pretty safe
place to go if you can’t get out, because you can jamb the door shut by
sitting on the floor with your back against the door and your feet against the
toilet. If someone manages to get in, you could spray them in the eyes with air
freshener. With the toilet cleaning brush, you could eye gouge, strike to the
throat or temple.
Bedroom
Your bedroom probably has a clock of some sort.
It can be used as a weapon and so can its power cord. You may have a glass of
water next to your bed that you could hold by its bottom and strike at an
intruders face, eyes, temple, and throat. If you are going to put security
screens on your windows, be sure to have one installed in your bedroom.
Laundry
The laundry door is an easy way for someone to
get into your home, if you have a window next to it. Someone can easily break
the window, then reach in and open a standard door lock. If you have got a
window next to the laundry door, install a dead lock and don’t leave the key
in the lock. Keep your iron in your laundry. They make good weapons, because
they are solid, have a grip-able handle and a dangerous, pointy, top end. A hot
iron is even better.
Become invisible
Close the blinds on your windows at night. A
burglar will look in at what you have got for the taking – window-shopping. A
person planning a home invasion will be able to better plan his attack. The less
information you give people on what’s going on in your home, the better.
You should also think about an escape plan to use
if you have an intruder or fire.
Remember that windows are made of glass and glass
can be broken. The broken window can then be used to escape through.
Can you walk around your home in the dark – no
lights on? If you can’t, you should learn how. If you wake up in the middle of
the night, hear a noise and then see a torch light in another room, for example,
you can sneak out if you know your way in the dark.
Count how many steps it takes to get from your
bedroom to external doors. Learn to quietly feel/know your way around. If you go
to the kitchen in the middle of the night to get a drink, or go to the toilet,
practice walking in the dark.
Conclusion
As you have learned, there are some simple
ways to improve your self or home defense. Make sure all your external door
locks are working and only you have the keys for them. Know what natural weapons
are in each room and how to use them. Learn to get around your home in the dark,
and plan ways to get out fast!
A special thanks to Self-Defense Now for allowing us to use the above article! The Self-Defense Now website has all kinds of practical tips and techniques on self-defense. The Self-Defense Now website can be found by following this link: http://www.selfdefensenow.com