What precautionary measures do you take to ensure the personal safety of you, your family, your belongings, and your home? I have several different measures that I take. For one, the sliding glass door is kept locked, the pin in, and a large piece of wood is kept in the track. If I need to go in and out the door a lot, I remove the wood but always keep the pin in and the door locked. As far as the front door, since I moved into my apartment I always make sure to lock the door behind me - even during the day! I make sure the front door is locked and deadbolted when I’m going to be upstairs - showering, using the bathroom, getting ready, etc. This ensures that no maintenace people will be entering my apartment at these times. When I’m away from my apartment for the weekend or a longer period of time, I leave all curtains and blinds closed. Sometimes, I will leave one light on upstairs but because of increasing electricity costs, I have stopped doing that. Windows remain locked unless they’re open during the cooler months of the year, and I keep the blinds and curtains closed at night so no one can peek in to see what items I have that they might want to break in to steal.
As far as personal safety when I’m not at home, I make it a point to walk in well lit areas at night. I very rarely walk by myself and purposely do not take walks after twilight. If I have to (sometimes I have to wait for the bus after my night class), I carry my keys and cell phone in my hand. Things like mp3 players and cell phones (while in use) distract an individual from what may be going on around them - so, be well aware of your surroundings if you’re on the phone or have your earphones in.
In extreme cases - living in a not very good part of town or visiting a not very good part of town - I urge women to purchase mace (also known as pepper spray). Pepper spray can be kept on your keychain and can successfully deter a purse snatcher or other criminal in an instant. Some sprays temporarily blind the assailant which gives the victim time to run and get help. Others make identifying an assailant easy because they leave a spray on the victim which is unwashable and still on clothing several hours after the assault.
The most important thing about defense products is not where to buy mace or other products; in fact, there should be no question. Always protect yourself as much as possible. Purchasing pepper spray or another defense product will ensure your safety.