Focusing on home safety a must

Most people think they're safe in their own home, but you can never be too careful. The specter of burglaries and intrusions is cause to be focused on home safety when you're on the road or even while you're asleep. Luckily, there are a number of easy steps you can take to prevent being the victim of such an incident.

The resident of a house in Clover, North Carolina, experienced a home invasion recently, but did not roll over when confronted with the three intruders. The Gaston Gazette reports that Rusty Dakota Millwood was armed with a handgun and managed to shoot one of the criminals, while the other two were arrested.

Police say the incident began when three individuals forced their way into Millwood's mobile home. One of the suspects was allegedly armed, which prompted a struggle, leaving one of the perpetrators dead, and the homeowner is not facing any charges. Investigators say that the four individuals were likely acquainted before the invasion and it was not a random incident.

Though Millwood was prepared for the break-in other individuals may not be so equipped, and while owning a handgun may not be the best possible route, there are other ways to prevent such an intrusion from even happening, according to Livesafely.org.

First and foremost, homeowners should be sure not to let anybody in they are unfamiliar with. It may seem like common sense, but just checking through the peep hole before opening the door can make a big difference. Furthermore, investing in a solid core door is important as well, as it will reduce the chances of having the door broken down to almost zero.

Another important step to take is to make sure your phone is equipped with a 911 speed dial. Being able to instantly alert police can go a long way in maintaining your (and your family's) personal safety. Similarly, the source suggests you may want to practice an escape plan so that if you ever need to make a quick getaway there is no confusion or delay. As a final step, be sure to install a reliable alarm system.

"Get a good home alarm monitoring system and have prominently displayed home alarm system decals on your doors and windows," the news provider reports. "This might be enough to deter those looking for a random mark."

Some homeowners may want to equip themselves with a personal defense tool in the event that someone manages to enter the home anyway. Pepper spray has proven to cause temporarily blindness and difficulty breathing, and can be an effective way to disable an intruder, attacker or assailant, but you should be well versed on how to use it correctly if the need ever arises.

One of the best things to remember when using pepper spray is to back up while discharging the device in an "X" or "Z" pattern to get the most out of it. Another key to using the device as best as possible is to keep your eyes open. While you may think that having your eyes open will cause you to suffer the effects, it will ensure that you are firing on the correct target.

Additionally, whether you're out and about or at home, you want to keep it in an easy-to-reach location so that it can be used quickly and effectively if you ever have to.  

Oregon woman attacked in afternoon home invasion

Police in Keizer, Oregon, are searching for a man in connection with a home invasion that left a woman injured. Investigators say the situation could have been much worse, but the victim was able to fight off her attacker, Fox affiliate KPTV reports.

The incident occurred around 2 p.m. when the 27-year-old homeowners answered a knock at the door a man immediately forced his away inside. Police say the man tried to strangle the victim, but she was able to escape his grasp and he fled the scene. The attack is shocking given the usually quiet nature of the neighborhood.

“I mean this is a quiet neighborhood,” neighbor Karen Drew told the news source. “It’s really quiet around here and to have that happen it’s just really scary.”

Anybody looking to boost their home safety may want to take several proactive steps. Solid core doors and heavy duty locks are a good start, and buying pepper spray is a good idea as well. The device can cause temporarily blindness and difficulty breathing, preventing a homeowner from becoming a victim.

Personal safety film debuts in in Ohio

A short film highlighting the importance of personal safety recently debuted at Phoenix Theatre in Hillcrest, Ohio. The 20-minute movie, titled Heats Without Fear, featured testimony of real-life victims of violent crime urging audience members to be proactive in protecting themselves, Hillcrest Patch reports.

Among the people who shared their stories was a woman who was abducted in a parking lot, but managed to escape when she took over the van she was being transported in. Another individual spoke about how it was her quick thinking that led her to avoid being the victim of a similar crime, as she identified a suspicious individual in a store quickly but managed to avoid his pursuit in the parking lot.

"There is no easy answer," personal safety experts Pat Malone told the news source. "It's all about keeping the problem at long range. Trust your instincts."

Individuals looking for an additional way to boost their personal safety may want to buy pepper spray. Experts suggest carrying the device in an easy-to-reach location, such as a keychain, so it can be grabbed quickly if need be.  

Canine attack cause for a refresher in dog safety

While many people may not think much about being the victim of a dog attack, statistics have shown that they are on the rise. According to a recent study by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, there was been a steady rise in the amount of hospitalizations due to dog bites from 1993 to 2008, with about 866 people heading to the emergency room each day in 2008. With the jump in canine-related incidents, it would behoove people to be as prepared as possible in the event of such an attack.

A Cottonwood, California, woman recently fell victim to a dog attack, having to receive treatment from the hospital at least twice for her bite wounds. Sarah McClain was waiting for her daughter at the bus stop when she was approached by a pit bull, ABC affiliate KRCR reports.

She was waiting with her younger daughter, and it took her a while for her to realize what was happening. Although she suffered the brunt of the attack, including gashes to her arms and shin, she kept her child safe.

"I thought at first I was too close to the yard and that he could reach me with his chains so I pushed out into the street and pushed the baby stroller north as far as I could," she told the news source. "I started maneuvering myself south across the street when I realized he was actually attacking me."

In light of the recent attack, many local residents have decided to refresh their memories when it comes to how to stay safe in the event of a similar incident. Although the natural instinct may be to run away when approached by an unfamiliar dog, experts recommend doing the exact opposite. Standing as still as possible with your hands at your side is the best route to take. Similarly, if you happen to get knocked down by a dog, curl up and protect your neck and face.

"The dog will respond a lot to that and how intense the dog gets depends on how intense the person is reacting," local Humane Society captain LeeAnne Smith told the news source.

One of the most vulnerable groups for being attacked by aggressive animals are joggers. Running through a neighborhood or a park can put them in contact with a number of dogs, and they should take special care to maintain their personal safety. Experts say there are a few warning signs you can spot to take action as quickly as possible.


First and foremost, look at the level of their head. If they're holding their head high, chances are low that it will turn aggressive and bite you. However, if it's low it might be more apt to attack. Additionally, how it's walking can indicate aggressiveness as well, as a steady gait might be a sign of a trouble. As a final point, try to steer clear of any dogs that are chained up or on a rope, as they tend to be more aggressive than pets who get to roam freely.

Individuals looking for an especially effective way to stay safe may want to buy pepper spray to carry with them. The device can make it difficult for an animal to see and breathe, preventing them from inflicting any harm on you. Additionally, it can be used from up to 10 feet away so you don't have to get too close to the dog in question. However, be sure to practice with the pepper spray beforehand so that if it ever needs to be used, it is done so correctly.  

Heroic bus driver keeps students safe during dog attack

An aggressive dog recently ran on to a school bus full of children near Washington, D.C., and witnesses say that the quick thinking of the bus driver saved many more youngsters from injury. Although four kids were bitten, none were seriously injured thanks to the heroics of Barry Jones, NBC Washington reports.

The American bulldog followed several students on to the bus and was immediately attempting to bite anyone in its path. Jones went to the back of the bus with all the children, and punched and kicked the dog to keep it at bay until authorities arrived on the scene and eventually shot the dog.

“When they’re on my bus I kind of feel like I’m their father for that time that they’re on my bus and they’re in my hands and I have to keep them from getting hurt in any way that I can,” Jones told the news source.

Anyone looking for an effective animal repellent may want to buy pepper spray. Since it can be used as far away as 10 feet, the device is especially effective at staying safe in the event of a dog attack.

Woman attacked while delivering pizza

Police in Freeport, Illinois, are investigating a late night attack on a woman delivering a pizza. Although the victim did not have to be taken to the hospital, she suffered some bruising and swelling as a result of the assault, The Journal-Standard reports.

The incident occurred just before 2 a.m. when the 23-year-old victim was delivering a pizza to a residence. As she approached her destination, police say a man came up from behind her and demanded that she turn over money. When she refused he attempted to reach into her pockets and take it himself.

According to the news source, after he tried to each in her pockets, the victim screamed and yelled for help, causing the attacker to strike her in the face and flee the scene.

Whether one is a late night pizza deliverer or just looking for an effective way to boost their personal safety, pepper spray may be the most effective choice. This discreet tool will temporarily disable an attacker by making it difficult for them to see and breathe, and allow an individual to get to safety.

Australian man shares harrowing dog attack account

A man from Bayview, Australia, was recently attacked by a dog while walking his own and was eager to share his plight to raise awareness of dog attacks. Peter Chillman suffered deep puncture wounds to his thigh in the morning incident, ABC News reports, and hopes his story prevents similar attacks from happening.

Chillman was out walking his small dog around 7 a.m. when the attack occurred. By his account, the canine was initially interested in his pet but quickly turned its attention toward him. Thanks to some quick thinking from a bystander, he was able to subdue the aggressive animal.

"I managed to get the dog by the throat and it didn't let go but I just hung on the dog's back because there were school kids around and a guy came out of one of the units with a rope and managed to put it around its neck and tie it to a tree but it was pretty agitated," Chillman told the news source.

Anyone looking to protect themselves from being attacked by an aggressive canine may want to consider buying pepper spray. When discharged into the face of an animal, it will make it difficult for them to see and breathe.