Learn from Me: Protect Yourself

Have you ever felt like you needed to protect yourself??

I wasn't sure I was going to write about this story, but I'm hoping that if I start the conversation, some of you will be able to relate and maybe even benefit.  Two different times this month I have been in situations that made me feel uncomfortable or even scared when I was out on my walks.  I've been working hard to make walking a part of my daily routine and that is going great.  However, I do not like feeling uncomfortable or scared.

I almost always walk with my kids or with my toddler or by myself.  

I only occasionally walk with another adult.  I'm guessing that other moms or women can relate to that set up.  You try to fit in exercise whenever you can.  I vary my routines, vary my routes and always have my phone with me as safety precautions. 

The first time, a door to door salesman was making his way around our neighborhood.  He spotted me, slowly followed me home and then knocked on my door when I got inside.  I felt uncomfortable by his tactics so I opted not to answer the door.

The second time, a speeding car came out of nowhere on my walk.  

The car was full of men and I was in a quiet area of our neighborhood.  They were driving erratic and my mind was racing.  I was able to snap a picture of their vehicle and plates when they went speeding by, but I couldn't get over how helpless I felt.  I was scared.  What if they had jumped out of the car!?  What if they were up to no good?  What if they tried to grab me or Leo?  Or maybe they were just driving crazy to be crazy?  It was just me and Leo.  I was honestly terrified.  The car disappeared almost as quickly as it had appeared.  I ran home with him and felt shaken up.  I talked to my husband about it and knew I needed to make some changes so that I wouldn't be in that same position again. 

I don't feel comfortable carrying a gun.  I have zero training or education in that department.  I also don't feel comfortable carrying a knife.  I don't have a problem with either, but they did not feel like good options for me.  I searched online and found alarms you can attach to your key chain.  That would be great if you're around other people and need to get attention, but again, I don't think an alarm would have put my mind at ease in either of the situations I was in.

Insert: SABRE Pepper Spray.

I have had friends tell me that they always ran with pepper spray or kept it on their key chains.  It sounded like a good option, but I never got serious about it for myself.

I found some great options online, watched videos and researched my options.  SABRE pepper spray seemed like a really good fit for me.  It has over 93,000 reviews.  It's really affordable.  It has a safety feature that was appealing to me as a mom.  I could keep it in my car or on my key chain or on my purse.  It works from a distance of 10-15ft, this spray can be sprayed 25 different times and it comes from a company that has been around for almost 50 years.  

I hope to never ever have to use it and having it gives me some peace of mind as I go about my regular routines.

I'll link the SABRE Pepper Spray options on Amazon below.

I don't know if you have ever been in a situation that made you feel uncomfortable or scared, but if you have, I'd encourage you to think through some safety options that would work for you. 

  

We shouldn't have to feel scared when we are out and about!  Be smart!  Be safe!