Everyone loves a relaxing vacation during the summer months. My family especially enjoys laying on the beach, hearing the waves crashing onto the shore, the smell of sunscreen and the laughter of children and parents playing on the beach or in the pool, can't help but put a smile on your face. For many in America, those 7-10 days are the only time they truly have to enjoy the company of their family and friends. I know families such as my own which vacation annually with several families during one specific week of the year. The tradition we created several years ago is the most highly anticipated event of each calendar year. As with most traditions, there are several events that must occur and these largely have to do with the fact that human skin can only stand so much direct sunlight before it reddens and burns. This provides the females and the teenagers within our families the window of opportunity to go shopping and hunting for discounted bargains.
This recreational activity is ideal for criminals because of the lack of personal awareness (you're on vacation) and your "guard being down" as well as the fact that a lot of people these days are trying to avoid using credit cards and are carrying cash to purchase items instead. I'm not calling for mass hysteria at Tanger Outlets across America but I am asking you to remember that a bathing suit, tank top, and flip flops doesn't give you immunity to being a victim of a crime.
Lets take a precautionary look inside the mind of a criminal and examine where your weak points in personal defense could exist. I'm going to list a few and discuss.
1. The Parking Lot: For the criminal this can work to his advantage in many ways. The size of the parking lot, whether it is outside or indoors, the distance you have parked away from the physical shopping area. The number of entrances and exits from the parking lot. Are their security guards patrolling within the parking lot? Are their a lot of out of state license plates? Is there a heavy traffic pattern of shoppers coming and going, meaning steady traffic flow, making it difficult for the element of surprise to harm you. Criminals want to control the environment in which they strike, too many variables happening simultaneously works to your advantage. The easy solution here is a personal alarm. If you feel uneasy or threatened just pull the pin and 130 decibels will call attention to your plight, equalizing the distance from safety part of the equation to your favor.
2. Flip-flops and Multiple Shopping Bags: Personal protection requires quick reaction. If you are attacked, lose the flip-flops and fight barefoot. Try to also have one hand free instead of both hands carrying multiple bags. Its better to make frequent trips to the car and unload into the trunk rather than one trip at the end of the day. That free hand should have your car keys in it with a pepper spray attached to the keychain. Keychain pepper sprays normally will have a range of 6-8 feet spraying distance and somewhere between 6-10 shots within the 1/2 oz models.
3. Texting and Sunglasses: Being Vigilant and Prepared requires you to pay attention to all of your surroundings. Put the cellphone away while coming from and going back to the car. Use sunglasses to your advantage by constantly scanning your surroundings for potential threats. The criminal can't see where your eyes are looking so look around a lot and keep the crook off guard. The disadvantage to the sunglasses would be of course if it darkened your ability to see clearly both up close and at a distance. In other words, Sunny day fine, Cloudy not so much.
I hope my advice and thoughts were helpful and everyone does have a safe and victimless summer vacation.
Take care and wear sunscreen!!
Chadbourn K. Farriss
http://www.stunandspraydefense.com is where you can find personal alarms and keychain pepper sprays. These items are very inexpensive but priceless if needed.
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