November 2006 Newsletter

Denise Bach — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 01:20:00 +0000

HOLIDAY TRAVEL THOUGHTS

November begins the holiday season and it also means Daylight Savings time for 48 states (the exceptions are Arizona and Indiana that do not set their clocks for Daylight Savings time). This means that for commuters leaving from work or for those doing late afternoon errands there is a dark ride home. During the holidays, retailers start offering sales and many of you will be out later at night or early in the morning before it gets light outside or running errands in preparation for company parties, social events, and family gatherings. Many of us will be traveling to spend time with family and friends. College Students will be heading home, or possibly, going to the mountains or the beach during school break. Families with children will be traveling as well, mostly on the highways.

The fact is, that as the end of the year rolls around, we become busier and busier with lots to do and more travel than usual. Many of us will leave our homes vacant for a few days during our travels and we need to make proper preparation to make sure our homes will be safe. Now more than ever, we need to crank up the volume on our own and our family’s personal safety.

I can never stress enough the fact that we need to be extra vigilant about our personal safety during the holidays. Remember, we are 100% responsible for our personal safety and also for those that are dependent on us, like our children and elders. To become better prepared we need to think in terms of "What If" scenarios and how we would react in an emergency. I frequently learn about tragic situations where if the individual(s) had been properly educated and properly prepared the situation might have been avoided or possibly never even happened.

WHAT CAN WE LEARN?

Our Trainer, Chris, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, shared a story about a recent incident where a 12-year-old school girl got on the wrong bus to go home and got off at an unfamiliar stop which was not hers. She must have felt confused, frightened and at a loss as to what to do since she apparently had never discussed this possibility with her parents. A grandfatherly-looking man, who appeared to offer no threat but in fact was a child predator, abducted her and unfortunately killed her. When questioned, the Bus Driver remarked that the girl looked confused, out of place, and unfamiliar, and he even had a funny feeling about her. Yet he never followed his gut feeling and asked the girl if she needed help. This is an example of a "What If" scenario that a parent should discuss with their child. If this girl had been told about "Don't No's" and to get to a place where there are people, such as a convenience store, seek out a Mom, or to be assertive and tell the Bus Driver she was on the wrong bus, she might be alive today.

If her parents had played the "What If" game with her, talking about a fictitious girl who got on the wrong school bus, they could have gotten her to think about what this little girl could do to be safe and get home safely, and this tragedy might have been avoided. By playing the game in the third person (a fictional child), your child does not have a personal and emotional connection to this proposed scenario, allowing him/her to feel something other than fearful. Your child is allowed to be creative in trying to help the fictional child in the story and learns strategic thinking. It gives them safety strategies and skill sets that can then be personally applied if necessary in similar situations. Without safety strategies, we find ourselves in uncharted waters in a boat without a rudder and this is not a good place to be.

What does this story have to do with holiday travel?

BEING PREPARED

Think about travels you may have this month with your family and the different scenarios that may occur. Have you prepared your children sufficiently for possible situations that may arise while you are traveling? For example, what if you are in an airport and your child needs to go to the bathroom or get a drink of water? What if you are traveling by car and stop at a rest area or a gas station and get separated from your child? Do you have action plans thought out and discussed with your child? If you do not, you are essentially no different than that rudderless boat in uncharted waters, purely at the mercy of the situation. This puts you and your family members in the category of potentially being a victim and also in a fear-based state of mind because you are totally unprepared for whatever might happen.

We need not live in a fear state of mind however. Are Boy Scouts living in a fear-based state of mind because their motto is "Be Prepared"? No, and I think we should all learn to live by the motto of "Always Be Prepared". Think about this for a moment: do you fear being in an accident every time you get in your vehicle because you put on your Seat Belt? After all, your seat belt is also referred to as a Safety Belt! For those of you who have been on a cruise, you experienced a safety drill, putting on a life preserver and listening to information about the life boats and what to do in an emergency. Having this information allowed you to enjoy yourself and have fun - it gave you peace of mind so you did not have to worry about what to do in case of an emergency. You already knew; you were prepared.

VIGILANCE AND PREVENTION

So, in your holiday travels, your holiday shopping, your holiday socializing, be more vigilant about your safety and your family's as crime rises during this time of year. Be more aware of your surroundings as you might very well be in unfamiliar places.

Think through various possible emergency situations that could happen; play out a few strategies of what you should do and how to react 'just in case.' Catalogue them away in your memory and know that if you had to respond that you can simply call them up like a reflex. I remember as a kid hearing the saying, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" and it is still great advice to follow every day.

TRAVEL TIPS AND HOLIDAY TRAVEL SPECIAL

Be sure to review the October 2005 Newsletter in our archives if you are traveling on the highways this year for important travel tips.

We are also offering a GREAT Holiday Travel Special for all of you. Check it out at http://www.wseg.org/holidaytravel.htm. Be sure to purchase one for yourself, your family members, friends and anyone you care about. They make wonderful gifts and let's those whom you care about know how much you care about their safety.

We are also extending our Campus Safety Kit Special (http://www.wseg.org/college.htm) for all of you who have a family member in college.

Have a safe and joyous Holiday Season from all of us at WSEG.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:

Make it a point to visit my new weekly safety podcast program, the "MR. SAFETY SHOW", at www.SafetyMattersRadio.com, committed to bringing you the best and latest safety information available. Learn effective, common-sense safety tips, everyday safety strategies, important 'need to know' safety information, enjoy interviews with a variety of safety experts and much more.

For more information or to book a WSEG program, call 1-800-318-8037 or email us at seminars@wseg.org.

Mark Spencer, M.A., S.A.F.E. © Copyright 2006 S.A.F.E. All rights reserved.

September 2006 Newsletter

Denise Bach — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 15:34:00 +0000

NATIONAL SAFETY CAMPUS AWARENESS MONTH

September's newsletter deals with some very important safety issues and topics for all parents of college students, male and female alike. I have first hand experience being both the parent of a college student and having presented numerous safety programs during the past few years on college campuses in several states.

College, like most things in our lives, is much different for our children than it was for us. There is a prevailing myth that college campuses are safer than other areas, when in fact the truth is that campuses are actually less safe. Below I discuss some very real safety issues every parent and college-age child needs to know and address. The first few weeks of each new school year may be an exciting time for college students, but they can also be extremely dangerous. The first month of college has been nicknamed and is referred to as the “RED ZONE.” New female students are at very high personal risk during this month because more sexual assaults and rapes occur then than at any other time during the school year.

IMPORTANT STATISTICS

1 in 5 women will be the victim of rape in their lifetime, and less than 16% of these rapes will be reported! Even more alarming however, is that 1 in 4 college coeds will be the victim of rape or attempted rape during their 4-year college career, and less than 5% of these rapes will be reported! (“Rape and sexual assault is now a prominent factor in the typical college experience.” -Bonnie Fisher, The Sexual Victimization of College Women). On the average, only 3 out of 100 rapists will be convicted and go to prison.

A survey was conducted at UCLA a few years ago that asked male students one question: “If you could rape a female coed and get away with it with absolutely NO consequences, would you?” And 34% (1 in 3) of the males said “YES”. Pretty alarming to say the least and a very sad statement about some of our country's existing values and morals. “I thought he was too cute to rape me” is an all too typical response of college rape victims in post-rape interviews. 1 in 12 women in their lifetime will be stalked, and unfortunately the college campus environment makes it almost ‘too’ easy for a stalker (both student and non-student) because of the large and dense younger population.

The typical freshman student away from home for the first time is exposed to a completely new and unfamiliar environment, in addition to a wide variety and diversity of people. This is a very significant time in our sons’ and daughters’ lives, where they explore and experiment with new-found freedoms away from Mom and Dad, gaining maturity and learning independence. This is even more reason to educate and coach them with the very best and most effective safety strategies as they become more independent and less dependent on us.

MORE IMPORTANT INFORMATION

All college-age students, girls included, have a tendency to think of themselves as “10 Feet Tall and Bulletproof” and most, unfortunately, are both naïve and complacent about their personal safety. Even male students are at risk to be rape victims, and far more of these rapes are never reported because of feelings of shame and embarrassment. When a male is sexually assaulted, it is also more often by a heterosexual male as opposed to a homosexual male. Rape and sexual assault is about exerting power, not about sex!

Believe it or not, colleges do NOT require background checks on students and this means that on some campuses you have convicted felons, including even convicted rapists! Alcohol and drugs are readily available, as well as many easily obtainable illegal date rape drugs. Over 4 million doses of Rohypnol have been brought into the U.S. from Mexico. Over 1700 students die each year from unintentional alcohol related deaths. Additionally, there are fire related deaths and both personal and property crimes against students on campuses. I am not painting a pretty picture about college life, but this information is vitally important for every parent and student to know. You can only begin to insure a safer college experience when you become enlightened and aware.

Our safety program, S.A.F.E. (Safety Awareness For Empowerment) is about becoming empowered with important safety education, safety strategies and quality safety products. For example: if you had a detailed map showing you the location of all the mines in a landmine field, you could easily and confidently walk through the field without incident. Even though college campuses are not as safe as we think they are or we would like them to be, we can provide maps, and teach our sons and daughters to be vigilant about their safety. I encourage you to visit http://www.campussafetymonth.org, & http://www.securityoncampus.org for important “NEED TO KNOW” information that will help keep you up to date and informed about what is happening on campuses today.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Well, for starters, you and your college students need to know that you don’t have to live in a state of fear. You can raise your safety awareness level and consciousness with important strategies that help promote your daily safety. If you are in an area where we have speakers, you can book one of our safety programs. If booking a program is not an option, be sure to visit our newsletter archives on our website for general safety tips.

You can also provide your students with important, potentially life-saving safety products. Order a 'Campus Safety Kit' (see below) for each of your college students (I strongly recommend purchasing a kit for all your children who are 18 years or older as well!) and gift them with an important set of ‘tools’ for their ‘Safety Toolbox.’

EDUCATE YOURSELF ON THE FOLLOWING:

DATE RAPE DRUGS: Common date rape drugs are GHB (gamma hydroxybuterate), Ketamine, Rohypnol (Ruffies), and other benzodiazepines that come in either liquid or tablet form. Most are either illegal, by prescription only and/or off the market. All are unfortunately easily obtainable throughout over 10,000 illegal internet pharmacies. They are fast acting (3-10 mins), sleep inducing, anxiety reducing, create loss of muscle control, tingly feelings, rubbery legs and total amnesia that lasts for anywhere from approximately 3-8 or more hours. (More deaths occur each year due to GHB overdose that crystal meth overdoses, and this from a drug that has been OFF the market legally since 1990!) Drinks are typically tainted by squirting the liquid date rape drug from an eye drop container (like a Visine dropper). So, never accept a drink from someone, never leave a drink unattended and make sure you are always operating within a ‘Buddy System’ with at least one other person. Make – and most importantly – KEEP a pact with your buddy/s to look out for one another and never let anyone out of the other’s sight until you all end up safely at home.

RAPE: Rape is NEVER a woman’s fault, regardless of the circumstances. All rapists are serial rapists. If you or any one you know is the victim of a rape, you should immediately call the Police and immediately seek medical attention. Seek help from a professional counselor experienced in rape counseling to assist you in dealing with the repercussions.

ALCOHOL: Alcohol reduces inhibitions, adversely affects your judgment, thinking processes, physical reaction times and makes you more vulnerable, to getting robbed or sexually assaulted and to even become a predator yourself.

INTERNET SAFETY: Websites like MySpace, etc. and chat-rooms put you at potential risk if you allow yourself to become too exposed, trackable or traceable by someone you would not want in your personal life. If you would not post certain private or proprietary information on your dorm, apartment or home door for every one to see, you should NOT post it on a website or disclose it via an on-line chat.

CELLPHONE USAGE: A cell phone is a necessity today and can be one of the most important emergency items we can carry. However, it is a common misconception that if we are walking some place alone we are safer if we are talking with someone. When using a cell phone nearly 40% of the visual cortex is active and our attention is severely compromised because our brain is more engaged in picturing what we are talking about rather than paying attention to our immediate surroundings. The person we are speaking to can never respond quickly or effectively enough to help us simply because we are talking with them. Keep your cell off, pay 100% attention to your surroundings and do not call anyone until you are either safely in a building or a vehicle.

CAMPUS LAW ENFORCEMENT: Know where and how to contact Campus Security in the case of an emergency. Campus Safety Officers are professional law enforcement personnel who have the same training and level of expertise as City, County and State Law Enforcement professionals.

SUMMARY:

One’s college career and experience is a unique and wonderful time for each and every one of us. Like all aspects in life, if we live mindfully and consciously we will always have more joy and a much more rewarding experience in all that we do. Our mission in WSEG is to share with those that we reach in live presentations and/or via the internet to impart, to the best of our ability, the latest and best safety information, strategies and products to help insure your and your family’s safety. Since so many of you currently have college-age children or are currently a college student yourself, we wanted to share this month’s important newsletter message. We want to help you insure a safe college experience. We are making a 'Campus Safety Kit' with a FREE Drink Detective available for purchase. We recommend that EVERY student own one of these.

SPECIAL CAMPUS SAFETY KIT PACKAGE: ORDER TODAY !!

What you will receive (see product descriptions below):

1 Pepper Spray $20.00 (instructions for usage included)
1 breakaway keychain $2.50
1 Highway Safety Sign $20.00

$42.50 +S/H (Receive a FREE Drink Detective with your purchase, a $5.00 value!)

Add additional product purchases with your order at reduced rates:

Each additional Pepper Spray includes a ‘FREE’ breakaway keychain, only $20.00
Each additional Highway Signs, only $18.00
Each additional Drink Detective, only $4.50 or 5 for $20.00

Product Descriptions:

Pepper Spray: Pepper Spray is recommended by all safety experts. Unlike Mace, it is effective against everyone because its effects are physiological. (Mace is tear gas based and may have no affect on someone who is high on drugs/alcohol or mentally crazed). Police stopped carrying Mace nearly 20 years ago and carry Pepper Spray exclusively because of its effectiveness. Pepper Spray will stop someone IMMEDIATELY because it makes the skin burn, inflames the mucous membranes, makes the eyes tear, burn and slam shut, causing temporary blindness in addition to severe coughing and gagging. It also contains a UV identifying dye that lasts 5-7 days. None of these effects are permanent, but it gives you the necessary minutes you need to escape a physically life threatening situation with minimum effort and maximum results. It empowers you because you know you, if you had to, could effectively defend yourself against a much larger person. It also acts as a deterrent letting a would be attacker know you are a ‘Tough Target’ and could defend yourself if you have to.

Highway Safety Sign: Our sign is easily seen in both directions, visible day or night (3M reflective tape), and alerts drivers to call 911 on your behalf assuring that the police are alerted to your emergency even if you are unable to use your cell phone.

Drink Detective: Tests for over 60 different types of date rape drugs. Indispensable during the “RED ZONE.”

If you or someone you know might be interested in becoming a Program Trainer and/or Program Coordinator for WSEG, please contact Glenn at glenn@wseg.org. We are always looking for passionate people who want to make a positive difference and be able to earn a great part-time income as well.

Mark Spencer, M.A., S.A.F.E.

© Copyright 2006 S.A.F.E. All rights reserved.

August 2006 Newsletter

Denise Bach — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 23:11:00 +0000

SAFETY QUIZ

It is my experience that many people lack some basic common-sense safety knowledge. Often we, including our children, feel overwhelmed from our busy work, social and extra curricular actives and obligations. The question we all need to ask ourselves is, ‘Have we taken the time and necessary precautions and measures to insure our and our family’s personal safety?’ Even though the majority of people are decent law-abiding citizens, their still is and always will be that element in society that compromises our personal safety that we need to prepare against.

If we take a position of ‘THAT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN TO ME’, we are kidding ourselves and being very naïve. The fact is that a bad situation can happen to any one of us and we need to be prepared for any ‘What If’ scenarios. Now this doesn’t mean we live in a fear-based state of mind. Quite the contrary, because with education, safety strategies and safety products, we can better prepare ourselves for the unexpected. For example; although we don’t plan on having a flat tire, we are prepared just in case we do by carrying a spare in our trunk. Simply because we are carrying a spare tire, we need not live in a constant state of fear or dwell on having a flat each and every time we drive somewhere. A spare tire is simply a safety strategy for a ‘What If’ scenario if we get a flat. The spare tire analogy is a great example of the basis of our program's safety strategies. They are simply a 'tool' that we add to our 'Safety Toolbox' that empowers us and helps to stack the odds in our favor against unexpected emergencies.

I am frequently surprised at some basic safety strategies and safety information that people lack. So what I thought I would do this month is to give you all a Quiz. Yes, Safety School is now in session. We stress in our S.A.F.E. Program that 80% of the time ‘TOUGH TARGETS’ don’t get chosen, so lets test your safety IQ and see if you can score at least 80%. Get a piece of paper, number 1-10, choose your answer for each question and NO looking at the answers on the bottom of the page until you are finished!

SAFETY QUIZ

1) A Rape occurs every ________ in the U.S.

a. 20 mins.
b. 12 hours
c. 2 mins.
d. 2 hours

2) The most effective and most recommended safety weapon by safety experts to carry is _______.

a) a stun gun
b) mace
c) pepper spray
d) a gun
e) a knife

3) When approaching your car in a parking lot you should ______________.

a) scan the area around your car and make note of anything or anyone suspicious and do not approach it unless it is safe to do so
b) use your keyless entry/alarm to find your car by setting it off to flash your lights and beep
c) have your keys out and ready to unlock and get into your car ASAP
d) a & c only
e) all the above

4) Percentage of women who will be rape victims in their lifetime (based on FBI Statistics).

a) 1 in 20
b) 1 in 100
c) 1 in 2
d) 1 in 5
e) 1 in 10

5) When loading your vehicle with your child/ren and items you should ________.

a) Put your items in first and than your child/ren.
b) Put your child/ren in first and then your items.
c) Leave your child/ren in the store, load your vehicle, go back into the store and get your child/ren.
d) Leave your child/ren in the store, get car and drive up to the front door and load up with items and child/ren.

6) If you break down on the side of the road you should pull over to the side of the road, _______________.

a) lock your car, get out and stand in a safe area away from the road
b) lock your car, call 911 (if in working cell area), place a ‘Call Police’ * sign on your driver’s window and stay in the car until authorized emergency help arrives
c) wait for the Police to drive by and stop to help you
d) lock your car and walk to the nearest exit or where you can get help
e) hope a kind stranger/good Samaritan will stop and offer assistance

7) One of the best ways to become a ‘Tough Target’ is to ____________.

a) never go anywhere or do anything
b) have a ‘Tough Demeanor’ and project confidence instead of fear
c) always trust your intuition/gut feeling
d) continually educate yourself with the latest and best safety information, strategies and products for protection
e) b, c and d

8) The most common phrase/s an investigating police officer hears when filling out a police report at the scene is _____________.

a) 'I saw it coming'
b) 'I live in a high crime area'
c) 'I never thought it would happen to me'
d) 'I always expect the unexpected'
e) a and d

9) Most crimes occur __________.

a) outside a 5 mile radius of where I live, work, shop, etc.
b) within a 10 mile radius of where I live, work, shop, etc.
c) within a 1 mile radius of where I live, work, shop, etc.
d) within a 25 mile radius of where I live, work, shop, etc.
e) not anywhere where I live, work, shop, etc.

10) 1 out of ______ women are stalked in their lifetime.

a) 5
b) 12
c) 50
d) 100
e) 250

Let’s hope that you are a 'TOUGH TARGET' scoring at least 80% on this quiz. If not, then contact us to book a Safety Program near you ASAP! The fact is that we should always be adding the newest and latest safety information and products available to our ‘Safety Toolbox’. We can always learn something new to help make us and our family safer. Remember that the 'Bad Guys' are always looking for easy targets and the more informed and diligent we are about being safe, the less likely we will be chosen as a target.

Answers:

1-C, 2-C, 3-D, 4-D, 5-A, 6-B, 7-E, 8-C, 9-C, 10-B.

* Highway Safety Signs are available for purchase in our product section. Make sure you get a sign for every vehicle you own and for all your family members too!

If you or someone you know might be interested in becoming a Program Trainer and/or Program Coordinator for WSEG, please Contact Glenn at glenn@wseg.org. We are always looking for passionate people who want to make a positive difference and be able to earn a great part-time income as well.

Mark Spencer M.A. , S.A.F.E.

© Copyright 2006 S.A.F.E. All rights reserved.

July 2006 Newsletter

Denise Bach — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 23:52:00 +0000

Understanding Body Language

An important segment of our S.A.F.E. program is Verbal Self-Defense. But being a ‘Tough Target’ and projecting a ‘Tough Demeanor’ consists of a combination of words, voice, facial expressions, body posture, positioning, and distance. Taken together, these express the message of the actual words or phrases we use, like ‘BACK OFF’ or ‘GET AWAY’. What is essential is to be congruent in the above-mentioned modalities. For example, your child will not take you seriously if you are laughing or smiling while reprimanding them. In maintaining your ‘Safety Bubble’ and using verbal self-defense strategies, you absolutely must be able to project this ‘Tough Demeanor’. No questions asked. Period!

If you have a quiet nature or a non-threatening personality type, to be convincing and effective, you MUST be dramatic to project a ‘Tough Demeanor’. A ‘Bad Guy’ needs to be clear about your intent. You want him to back off or leave you alone, and you want to leave absolutely no room for doubt as to that intention. But remember, you don’t have to actually BE a ‘Tough Target’, you only have to be perceived as one! Smaller animals when approached by larger predators in the wild ‘puff’ themselves up by posturing, movement, noise, etc. The Blowfish actually blows up it’s body and makes itself larger, less easy to attack. We too have strategies to implement to get the same effect, warding off our potentially ‘Bad Guy’ predators.

INTUITION

The flip side of this is reading other people and learning to pick up on their intent. We absolutely need to be aware of others and our surroundings at all times. And what I mean is to not only be alert to things or people that seem out of place or incongruent, but to learn to identify and respond to incongruent signals automatically. To avoid potholes in the road, we need to know what a pothole is, what to look for, and how to steer clear of it. We also need to react quickly to avoid tearing up the underside of our car.

Our greatest and most valuable safety gift is our intuition or ‘gut’ feeling. We must ALWAYS listen to a gut feeling, never trying to logic it out for any reason, no matter how contradictory our feeling may seem. Our intuition is always right. We need to become more adept at noticing details about someone that we get a bad feeling about and understand why we have that feeling by putting a face on it. Your gut tells you something is not right about a person. Next, you become conscious of the details: his posturing, his loitering behavior, the way he is sizing people up, his body tension, the way he clutches his fist, his stare, etc. You should never delay in employing a safety strategy for your protection, especially based on a gut feeling. When you honor it and carry out your safety strategy, your intuition will be confirmed about how and why you had this feeling.

If life were a Jerry Springer stage, we would see who was going to attack us and probably have a pretty good reason why too. But life is not that obvious or simple. There are NO guaranteed strategies to help us avoid absolutely all attacks. We can be the best and most defensive driver on the road, but still get t-boned by someone running a red light at an intersection. We can only prepare and stack the odds in our favor to the best of our abilities regarding our personal safety. Even the best-trained martial artist, fighter, soldier or law enforcement agents cannot protect themselves from an attack they didn’t see coming, or one they saw coming but too late.

TIME AND DISTANCE

Time and distance are either our friends or our foes depending on how much or how little of them we have. If we respond too late or have too little distance between us and a ‘Bad Guy’, we have severely compromised our safety. The time that elapses between an impending attack and executing a response is called ‘Survival Reaction Time’. So our goal is to have as much ‘Survival Reaction Time’ in a potentially threatening situation, which will position us most powerfully. Our intuition is our alarm and then we need to assess the situation based on the cues we pick up. These cues literally will telegraph a person’s intent to us. Business people, attorneys, police interpreters, martial artists, etc. study non-verbal cues to better read people. Meaning, intention, truthfulness, even deceit can be interpreted by body cues and signals.

INTENT

Meaning and intent are transmitted in three modalities:

1) Words (actual dialogue)
2) Voice (how something is said via tone, inflection, pitch, rate, volume, etc.)
3) Body language (movement, posturing, gestures, positioning, distance, etc.)

BODY LANGUAGE

Percentages vary from various studies and experts, but most agree that words account for approximately for 10%, voice 30% and body language 60% for one’s communication. So, most of our communication is non-verbal and conveyed through body language. Think about watching a Mime and how we know exactly what they are conveying with only body movements and facial expressions. The way we carry our body and project ourselves can either make us an easy target or a ‘Tough Target’. And remember, 80% of the time ‘Tough Targets’ don’t get chosen. Knowing what to look for and being attentive is a necessary shift one needs to make to lead a safer daily life. Examples of body language to be aware of in individuals preparing to attack or who aggressively approach you are:

Blading (placing the dominant foot to the rear and adopting a more solid stance from which to launch an attack)
Clenching or pumping the fists
Clenching the jaw
Extreme trembling
Looking around before moving in or closing distance
Distracting, aggressive, or even inappropriate dialogue
Rapid shallow breathing
Stoppage of movement
Thousand-mile stare
Shoulder shrugging or rolling

Notice people in your different surroundings and play a game where you observe their behaviors, body movements, posturing, facial expressions, etc. Become aware in movies and TV shows of the aggressive behaviors and posturing the actors exhibit before they make aggressive moves or attack someone. Make it your job to constantly increase your awareness of those around you to better position yourself outside the predator zone. Remember, you are 100% responsible for your safety and the more you educate yourself the better prepared you will be and the less likely you are inclined to have your personal safety compromised.

Mark Spencer, M.A. , S.A.F.E.

June 2006 Newsletter

Denise Bach — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 03:58:00 +0000

Becoming a "Tough Target"

Women’s Safety Education Group’s program is called S.A.F.E. (Safety Awareness For Empowerment). The key words SAFETY, AWARENESS and EMPOWERMENT clearly state our mission and the heart of our program. The simple fact is that we live in a world where there are people and things to fear regarding our personal safety. We however should not, nor do we need to live in a fear-based state of mind. Animals in the wild, for their day-to-day survival, are not taught to live fearfully, but rather fearlessly, and to be both aware and vigilant about their safety. What is both key and essential is that they are taught to acknowledge the very real threats to their lives and respond appropriately should they find themselves in a potentially threatening situation.

LAW OF ATTRACTION

I am a firm believer in the ‘Law of Attraction’, or the notion that what we think about we attract into our lives. If we are fear-based we will actually attract those things that we don’t want by giving them breath and life and bringing them into our lives. If we also refuse to acknowledge those things that we fear, it’s like the big white elephant out on the front lawn –- it is still there even though we refuse to believe it. Simply choosing not to acknowledge something will not make it go away or not exist. If you try not thinking about something, you are also actually putting energy into it and keeping it alive in your consciousness. So what I am saying is that to live safer daily lives, we first need to raise our awareness level, acknowledge those things we don’t want to, and plan for the possibility of something happening that might compromise our safety. We live in a society where bad things happen every day, and for that matter every few seconds or minutes. Statistics do not lie, and the fact is that crime in the USA is a very real threat to all of us.

TRANSITION FROM FEAR-BASED TO EMPOWERED

It is a simple and easy transition from being fear-based to being empowered. First, we raise our awareness and accept that real threats to our safety exist. Second, we educate ourselves with the very best safety information, strategies and tools available to us. All of our vehicles have spare tires, but do we dwell in constant fear that every time we get in our vehicle to go somewhere we’re going to have a flat? Certainly not, but having a spare tire is a safety strategy that both puts us at ease and keeps us at ease should we happen to have a flat. Just like the spare tire, we need to keep safety strategies catalogued away for those ‘What If’ or ‘Just in Case’ scenarios in all aspects of our lives.

A TOUGH TARGET

Becoming a ‘Tough Target’ helps to raise the odds in our favor that we will be less likely chosen as a target by a ‘Bad Guy’. It has been my experience over the years that many people simply do not want to accept and acknowledge the fact that we have to be prepared for some things that we wouldn’t want to have happen to us. We need to think about the things we don’t want to think about so that we can be the best prepared that we can possibly be. We need to do things like: discuss with our family members what to do to get out of our burning house including alternate escape routes; what to do if we breakdown on the side of the road; what to do if we are approached by a potential mugger, robber or rapist, etc. Our awareness becomes heightened when something happens to a family member, co-worker, neighbor or friend, or if we see something on the news about a rapist or burglar near to us. But typically, we are complacent and haven’t thought about safety strategies. But guess what? The ‘Bad Guys’ have already thought about their next victim and that does not keep us on an even playing field. Everyone actually does have strategies in place, but most of the time they are not good ones or the most effective ones we can implement. We cannot afford to live life with our heads in the sand and think, “I never thought it would happen to me”.

SAFETY STRATEGIES

So, when we create a catalogue of safety strategies, we are better prepared ‘just in case’ and just like the spare tire, we don’t give it a second thought unless we need to. (How different the legacy of the Titanic would have been if they had enough lifeboats and were prepared for the possibility of an unexpected tragedy, like hitting an iceberg.) The unexpected is now out of our everyday consciousness and we don’t dwell in fear. And since we are better prepared, we send out a different vibration and are less apt to attract the bad stuff or the bad guys. We need to remain vigilant every day and keep an acute awareness about our surroundings. We need to listen to our ‘gut’ feelings and always honor them. If something feels bad or wrong, IT IS! If a person feels creepy, THEY ARE CREEPY! And the great thing about being a tough target is that we only need to be PERCEIVED as a ‘tough target’.

ALWAYS BE PREPARED

The Boy Scout’s motto of “Be Prepared” is an excellent one and I’d like to take liberty and modify it a bit to read; “ALWAYS BE PREPARED”. So, learn as much as you can about personal safety, employ the latest and best strategies, buy the very best safety products available and develop a demeanor that makes you a ‘tough target.’ Stack the odds in your favor and live a life where you are attracting less of what you don’t want or fear, and attracting more of what you do want and empowers you.

BOOKING A PROGRAM

NOTE: If you would like to book a women's safety program for your organization, club, business, church, etc. please email us at seminars@WSEG.org or call us at 1-800-318-8037.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

We are also currently expanding nationally, looking for both Trainers to present our programs and Coordinators to book our programs. If you or someone you know would be interested in exploring an opportunity with either WSEG or KSEG, please email us: jobs@WSEG.org or jobs@KSEG.org, or call 1-800-318-8037.

Mark Spencer, MA, S.A.F.E.

May 2006 Newsletter

Denise Bach — Tue, 30 May 2006 00:45:00 +0000

Internet Identity Theft -- One of the fastest growing Crimes

For 5 years straight, the FTC has ranked Internet ID theft as one of the most reported types of fraud and there are NO signs of it slowing down. It’s responsible for over 40% of all fraud complaints and last year approached a cost of nearly $300 million dollars. Identity theft is a problem that goes far beyond simple credit-card fraud (against which consumers are fully protected, thanks to zero-liability laws and other regulations). True identity theft is when a person’s entire identity is taken over, and for that to happen a scammer needs more information than is found on a debit or credit card. All too often consumers unknowingly, naively and carelessly provide their vital proprietary information by surfing and using computers whose security is breached by virus and spyware infections.

One of the leading causes of ID theft is falling prey to ‘phishing’ attacks, in which a criminal employs a trick e-mail that directs a recipient to a phony website to divulge personal data (like a bank account numbers, social security numbers, credit card info, etc.). For a phishing scam to work you must click the link in a forged e-mail, which might look like it’s from your bank or another financial institution, and then enter your user information on the web page that your browser opens. ID thieves also use technical subterfuge through spyware and Trojans to capture user names and passwords allowing them to gain access to a person’s financial details. By adding antiphishing capabilities to your e-mail through McAfee’s Internet Security Suite, or any other popular integrated-security package that can protect against phishing, your e-mail program can screen the e-mail source code to help you determine whether the content is legitimate. Security software is not bulletproof and must be constantly updated as they are breached routinely.

Although it seems obvious, you need to be very cautious and suspicious about opening e-mail attachments, a common vehicle for Trojan horse programs. An e-mail from a friend, family member, or business associate does not necessarily mean it is safe to open as it might have been infected by a Trojan-bearing worm. (Note: Network worms are the most dangerous of all virus types as they jump from one computer to another leaving a wake of infected computers. And, they secretly scour the Internet for connected computers that don’t have current security updates or firewalls installed. Some of these worms are so sophisticated that they can commandeer your e-mail address book and send infected e-mail messages laden with Trojans to everyone listed.) So, unless you are expecting an e-mail attachment, NEVER assume it is safe to open. Although it might seem tedious, if you received an email that you are unsure about, email that person and ask if they did indeed send an e-mail with an attachment.

We all are receiving seemingly innocuous e-mails like jokes, must-read info, things to pass on to friends and we may be unwittingly either sending or receiving infected e-mails that are unleashing key logging programs or other malware designed to steal your identity. Also, it is extremely easy for someone to forge an e-mail message. If a message requests that you send your password or other private information, or asks you to run or install an attached file, it is very likely that the message is NOT legit. When in doubt, ALWAYS mark the message as ‘junk’ and DELETE it.

As a routine, safe-computing practice that can help you to avoid many ID-theft scams, you should ALWAYS enter a web site’s URL in a new browser window. For example, if an e-mail claiming to be from your bank asks you to log in to verify your password or account information, resist the temptation to simply ‘click’ on the link in the e-mail itself, regardless of how authentic the message might appear. Phishers commonly try to fool us by copying a website to look like they are actually from our bank, PayPal, Ebay, etc. A typical example is an e-mail from Ebay or PayPal that asks to please update your credit card or debit card information by ‘clicking’ here and submitting our form. PayPal will never send an e-mail addressed to “Dear PayPal User.” They will ALWAYS use your first and last names and 2 pieces of information that Identity thieves would not know (until you unwittingly tell them). In many cases the actual link in the HTML code will be different from the URL displayed. So, NEVER go to a site via a provided link. ALWAYS either copy/paste or type the URL into the window yourself.

Educate yourself about online threats and follow your intuition. If something feels wrong or seems suspicious about an email, link or website, assume it is! Constantly update your anti-spyware and anti-virus and use the latest and best protection available to you. You can also contact your bank, as they will provide you with valuable information on protecting yourself against ID theft and hints on how to maintain your privacy. Additionally, some important sites you can visit for information to help educate yourself about phishing attacks and other online scams are:

www.antiphishing.org
www.consumer.gov/idtheft
http://safety.msn.com/phishing

And remember, if you receive this Newsletter via e-mail, either copy and paste or type these links into a new browser window, or be sure not to fill out any forms, or otherwise submit confidential information once you get there!

Ultimately, while technology (anti-virus software, firewalls, etc.) can help protect you, you must use common sense, and be just as vigilant on the internet as you would walking down the street regarding your personal safety.

Mark Spencer, M.A. S.A.F.E.

April 2006 Newsletter

Denise Bach — Sun, 30 Apr 2006 23:13:00 +0000

DOG SAFETY FOR ADULTS

Earlier this year WSEG formed an alliance with Bark Busters, Inc., an Australian-based Home Dog Training program with over 170 plus franchisees in the United States at present, growing to approximately 300 by year’s end. Routine news reports have brought about both increased fear regarding dog attacks and a realization that most people simply are naïve about dog behavior and safety. Every year more than 4.7 million Americans are bitten by dogs. An average of 12 people die each year due to mortal wounds. 61% of bites occur within a pet owner’s home and 43% of all children’s dog bites involve the family dog. Adult dog bites occur most often by the adult reacting the “wrong” way when a dog approaches or by misreading the dog’s intention (See KSEG.org for tips on dog safety for children).

Why Dogs Bite:

Contrary to common belief, most dogs would prefer NOT to bite humans. Dogs do not think or reason like humans and are guided by instinct and memory. Bites are typically done by instinct.

6 Most common reasons dogs bite:

1. Fear – Dogs react when surprised or scared by either running away or staying and fighting (instinctual “fight or flight” response.) A dog with either little or no contact with strangers or bad experiences is more likely to attack than a dog that has been loved and/or had good human experiences.

2. Territoriality – dogs claim their territory as their own and will vigilantly defend it against intruders and strangers.

3. Food Protection – Puppies learn early that in order to get their share of the food in a litter they need to push and fight. This behavior carries over into adulthood.

4. Self Protection – When threatened, dogs will instinctively do anything and tenaciously protection themselves.

5. Protection of mate/offspring/owners – Dogs are “pack” animals and see their owners and family members as part of their “pack”. A dog will attack anyone who they perceive as posing a threat to anything and anyone they hold dear and love.

6. Medical Problem – Distemper, brain tumors, rabies, injuries, medications, etc., can alter a dog’s personality, just like a human's personality can be affected.

How to avoid being bitten:

1. The Stand Right, No Bite Technique

Stand TOTALLY still – make no move whatsoever.

Do not crouch – keep your height.

Face the dog – do not allow it to get behind you. Fearful dogs will generally attack from behind.

Do not stare at the dog. Watch the dog out of the side of your eye. Dogs consider staring as a threat.

Do not pet the dog or extend your hand.

Do not make any threatening or provocative movements.

Allow the dog to sniff your leg.

When the dog relaxes, back away slowly. Do not turn and run – this is the time when most people are bitten.

Food can help. If you have some with you, toss it on ground away from you, using a gradual motion.

2. If you are attacked

If knocked to the ground, assume a fetal position. Cover your face and arms and remain completely still.

Do not attempt to hit the dog. The more you struggle, the more aggressive the dog will become.

If you have something with you, such as a clipboard, briefcase (or whatever),
offer it to the dog keeping it well away from your body. If the dog is truly
aggressive, it will grab the object and hold on. Do not let go of the object.
Normally the dog will soon stop the attack when it realizes it is having no effect.

Always carry a loud whistle. If attacked and the dog does not respond to the Stand Right, No Bite technique, blow your whistle to call for help.

Other Tips

Approaching a dog – Approach all strange dogs with care. Never assume a dog will not bite. Always wait for it to accept you first. Allow it to sniff you until it loses interest and wanders off. Then, and only then, should you move. If in doubt, do not approach the dog at all.

Approaching a vicious dog – If you know a dog has a history of being aggressive, avoid confrontation. However, if you have no choice, then take some food with you. Toss the food on the ground a distance from you, and adopt the Stand Right, No Bite technique.

When running or jogging – If you see an unleashed dog, immediately stop running and adopt the Stand Right, No Bite technique. If you run frequently, it might be best to always carry a small amount of food with you in case you need to toss it on the ground to distract the dog.

Coping with more than one dog – Stand Right, No Bite still applies. Stand still – do not move a muscle. If you are able, stand with your back to a wall or car to prevent one of the dogs from getting behind you. If you have food, toss it on the ground, continuing to toss further and further away from you until you can escape safely.

Staring: A provocative act – As a reminder, remember to avoid direct eye contact with the dog. This is VERY important. In the wolf and dog world, staring amounts to a challenge. Watch the dog, but use your peripheral vision by watching from the corner of your eye.

Avoid cornered dogs – When a fear-aggressive dog is cornered it is much more likely to attack than at any other time. It feels threatened, and because it is unable to escape it may believe it has no option but to fight. Avoid dogs that are:

On a chain

In an enclosure

Backed into a corner or up against a wall

In it's kennel

In a car

In a room

In a small yard

Conclusion

Most dog attacks result from people misreading a dog’s intention, or from reacting the wrong way when a dog approaches. Using the techniques described here will significantly reduce the possibility of a dog attack, or reduce the chance of injury if attacked.

Be sure to visit BarkBusters.com and learn more about Aussie “state of the art” dog training for your dog(s), and here for new Pet CD/ID for your dog (or other pet).

Written by Mark Spencer, M.A., S.A.F.E.

March 2006 Newsletter

Denise Bach — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 23:43:00 +0000

Spring Break/College/High School Students

This month I want to share some information, safety tips and strategies for
those of you with teenagers and college-age children regarding Spring Break.
Teenager’s love their independence and revel at the times they are "free"
and can cut lose with little or NO parental supervision – every parent’s
nightmare!

High school teens need guidelines and parameters to help insure their
personal safety during the vacation weeks without having their daily school
schedules to occupy their days. Many have part-time jobs, extra curricular
activities and will stay productive and busy for the most part. Some will
sleep in til noon or later, while others will simply just "hang out". The
malls, multi-plex theatres, Starbucks, etc., will be filled with lots of
bored, loitering teens. Law enforcement steps up their patrols of parking
lots, malls and common "hang-out" areas and is on high alert looking for
suspicious behavior. Teens need to know and understand this. They need not
tempt fate by purposely putting themselves in these places or situations
that could get them in trouble.

It’s important to know (as best as you can) where your teens will be during
the day, who they’re going to be with and in general their daily plans.

There is a greater potential for them to be exposed to someone or a group
they are unfamiliar with or to be in places they normally would not
frequent. This is cause for concern and could lead to some real problems
(being in the wrong place at the wrong time).

It’s a daunting task being a parent, always knowing who your teens are
with and where they are at all times. Actually, almost impossible! But
it’s important, if not critical, that you make every effort to help insure
their personal safety through good communication and clear parameters and
expectations from them.

We were all teenagers once ourselves, so we know first-hand how a teen
thinks! We can help to stack the odds in their favor to help insure their
safety. It’s necessary to talk with (not at) your teens and help them to
understand they must take responsibility for their personal safety. They
need to know, regardless of whatever kind of peer pressure might exist, if
they feel uneasy, uncomfortable, threatened, suspicious or fearful of a
person, a group or place, they need to leave as quickly as possible. If
they are without transportation, they need to know they call you to get
picked up, no questions asked.

They should NEVER ride in a car with people they don’t know or go into
someone’s house they are unfamiliar with (don’t know). They need to be wary
of any place where "older" kids are hanging out that they don’t know. They
should call you to ask permission and inform you of a change of plans to go
someplace other that where they had originally planned to go. They should
use the "buddy system" with at least one (if not more) trusted friends and
watch out for each other. They should NEVER, under any circumstances,
accept any "open" drinks of any kind from anyone (even if they know them in
some capacity). Date rape drugs are easily acquired and undetectable even
in juices and soft drinks. They should ALWAYS trust their "gut feelings"
and intuition. If something feels wrong, it’s wrong. If they have a "bad
feeling" about someone, then something IS wrong, and they should leave as
quickly as possible.

The best safety strategy is open, on-going communication with your teens.
Talk to them about your concerns regarding their safety. Let them know that
you trust them and teach them to be responsible to do the "right" things and
make the best decisions. They need to feel comfortable talking about things
that might have happened to someone they know or even to them. They need to
feel comfortable coming to you to talk about what you would do in certain
situations. Discuss "what if" scenarios and safety action plans and options
(Plan A, Plan B, etc.). It’s also important to create and maintain a strong
bond of trust, letting them know you trust them, but are unable to afford
their friends or acquaintances that same trust level, so they must take
responsible actions.

College Break Hotspots

When your college-age child goes on a Spring Break "fun" vacation to a
beach, mountain or other resort area, these hot spots literally attract
thousands of partygoers and spring-breakers. It becomes a haven for
serious, hard-core party animal types and includes lots of drinking,
drugging partying and sexual activity.

Many kids want to let down and enjoy their week off from college, but there
is also an element that looks to take advantage of the naïve, unsuspecting,
trusting types. It’s every parent’s worst nightmare to have something
happen to their child like what happened to Natalee Holloway last year in
Aruba. It’s important that your children (girls especially) make a pact with
trusted friends to look out for each other. And they need to be vigilant
about looking out for each other. The need to be alert and suspicious of
people or situations that don’t "feel" right. The need to check in with
each other when out partying, dancing, etc. and make sure no one gets
isolated, taken someplace or leaves alone. Remember, 99% of everyone at
these hotspots will be total strangers. Even more important than the
agreement or pact with friends is to stick to it.

Date rape drugs, although illegal, are easily obtained from any one of over
10,000 Internet pharmacies. It takes as little as 3-5 minutes for the drug
to take effect and will put a person into total amnesia for anywhere from
4-12 hours. The drugged person will feel tingly (face and hands), short of
breath, dizzy, almost like being groggy. Date rape drugs like GHB
(gamma hydroxy-butyrate), and rohypnol, etc., have literally been off the
market since the early nineties, yet more girls die each year from GHB
overdose than from crystal meth each year*. If someone looks ill or acts
strange in any way for any reason, the friends should seek medical attention
for them immediately. Waiting or assuming they simply need to sleep it off
could result, literally, in a fatal mistake.

Our children have one foot in adulthood and one still in childhood. You
simply cannot be with them 24/7 and as they step farther forward into
becoming an adult, they need to be educated and armed with the best
information we can give them.

See "Drink Detective" on our Safety Products Page on our website, and consider having your teen carry one or more in their purse at all times.

*Statistics from DEA study

Have a Safe and Happy Spring/Easter Break!

Mark Spencer, M.A., S.A.F.E

© Copyright 2006 S.A.F.E. All rights reserved.

February 2006 Newsletter

Denise Bach — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 20:41:00 +0000

Internet Safety and the Kidz Safety Education Group's much-anticipated New Children’s Program

Criminals, scam artists and most significantly, child molesters and predators are now hi-tech and computer savvy, breaking our most sacred safety barriers daily in our own homes! Every child and adult is a target and extremely vulnerable to the hundreds of thousands of unwanted solicitations on the internet -- if without important safety strategies and safeguards. We adults receive fear-evoking e-mails allegedly from our banks, paypal, etc., telling us to go via a provided link to the respective website for security purposes to check accounts, change passwords, etc. This allows the scammers/criminals to access our accounts by phishing and gives them entry into what we thought was secure and protected.

These individuals are masterful at counterfeiting websites, blogs and anything else necessary to fool the most trained eye and savvy, literate computer user.

Thousands of single women using dating websites literally have NO idea who they are communicating with. Many married men now trawl the internet club/bar scene! Safety tip: Once you move from e-mail to phone, use only your cell phone until you reach a level of safety comfort. Take it slowly and safely before divulging too much personal information too fast. Most websites will give you the important do’s and don’ts about internet dating. Take time to read and follow them!

We all get spammed so much every day. Ironically I almost wish for the “good old days” of paper “junk mail.”

Remember to always safeguard yourself and simply DELETE (NEVER open) any unfamiliar or suspicious emails. Always trust your gut feeling/instincts, even on the internet. Never give out any personal information or pictures whereby someone you don’t know could trace you to where you live, work, go to school, shop, frequent, etc. Too little information divulged is always the best policy.

Internet safety for our children is not only critical, it’s ESSENTIAL!

Dateline MSNBC ran a 3-week special recently on internet predators, which proved both alarming and eye-opening. A sting operation in California with the Riverside Sheriff’s Department had staff members posing as 12-year-old girls and boys, including pictures of themselves on chatrooms. Over a 3-day period, 51 men (ages 18-70’s) came to an alleged 12-year old’s home, after having shared explicit and inappropriate e-mails, phone calls and photos to have sex! All were men (no women) from all income brackets, ethnicities, and backgrounds, including a rabbi, a teacher, retiree, registered sex offender, men on parole, married men, single men, etc.

The fact is that there is NO single predator profile that makes them stand out, except that they are almost always male, and they can be anyone.

The internet literally puts the world at our fingertips, and is one of the greatest single technological advancements and tools we have today. However, its “dark side” gives an ease and accessibility into our personal lives, our homes and more importantly, to our children, in unprecedented ways and at epidemic proportions. Children innocently use and frequent websites like www.myspace.com, www.xanga.com, etc. They get into chatrooms and e-mail daily from within our own homes, much of the time doing things we’re not even remotely aware of! They are communicating personal and intimate information and life details with TOTAL strangers, some of whom are child molesters and predators.

80% of teens online are not as careful as they should be in giving out personal information

64% of all teens say they do things on the internet they would not want their parents to know about

30% have met an “internet friend”, and have been asked to either keep their internet friend a secret, or actually gone to meet the stranger face-to-face

40% trust the people they chat with on the internet

Source: Pew Internet and American Life Project, 11/04 and other studies on children 12-17

It is our duty and responsibility to safeguard our children to the max. We first need to educate ourselves and become less intimidated by this technology. We need to be pro-active communicating with our children, monitoring their internet usage, including instant messaging (IM-ing), e-mails, websites, chat rooms and internet “friends.” In creating our KSEG (Kidz Safety Education Group) program, we became acutely aware of the need for computer/internet safety education and made it an important segment.

The response to our pre-launch national kidz safety program (Launch date: March 1, 2006) has been incredible! Our program, aimed at ages 4-11 and 12-17, contains age-appropriate safety awareness information and training designed in fun and easily-learned modules. The children absorb and incorporate the safety strategies effortlessly and quickly.

Ineffective “stranger/danger” emphasis has been replaced with the latest and best ways to educate children in a ‘learn by doing/experiencing’ format based on extensive study and research by leading experts in the field and the most advanced learning technologies.

The heart and soul of our program is our 'Safe Kidz Kit' (visit our Product Page for information on this kit and our other products).

The kit includes four important internet software programs to help protect your children, allowing you to monitor, screen, track and block your child’s internet usage and decode internet language. Also included is the ‘Internet Safety Code’ contract, with clearly defined safety rules for both parents and children to make the family internet experience both fun and rewarding.

The complete 'Safe Kidz Kit' with all of its modules is valued at $99.50, but is available at the seminar for a small investment of only $39.50. (We also have adult and pet 2-disk ID kits available for only $24.50)

An absolute must for every child!

We thank the scores of WSEG (Women’s Safety Education Group) graduates, who encouraged us to develop this important children’s program. Many of you have been patiently waiting for this program. It’s now available and extremely affordable for families of all sizes (and class tuition counts toward any product purchase!). It’s designed for groups of 20 or more children in both a “hostess” or “fundraising” format for your school, church, PTA, girl/boy scout group or other organization.

For more details on the program, the 'Safe Kidz Kit' and how to arrange for a program for your organization, or join one in your area, please visit our website at http://www.kseg.org/ or call us at 1-800-318-8037.

Written by Mark C. Spencer, M.A., S.A.F.E.

January 2006 Newsletter

Denise Bach — Fri, 27 Jan 2006 15:39:00 +0000

HOTEL/MOTEL TRAVEL SAFETY

With the New Year in full swing, many of us will be traveling for business and pleasure, staying in hotels and motels. Here are some helpful tips to make your stays safer by becoming a tougher travel target.

When choosing a place to stay, we all look for the best bargain. But, don’t sacrifice your safety to save a few dollars. As you drive into the lot of the hotel/motel, look for the placement of lighting. Is the lot going to be well lit at night? Use valet parking if available, as the lots are usually patrolled and there is less chance of theft or break-in. If you park in the regular lot, remove all valuables from inside the vehicle and place them in the trunk out of sight. Put something over your tape or cd player, and lock your steering column if possible. Be sure to keep your car locked at all times.

Upon entering a hotel lobby, keep all luggage close to you. If your room is not ready to check into, check your luggage at the bell stand until it is ready -- be sure all your bags are locked. Consider renting a safety deposit box for your valuables.

When entering your room for the first time, leave the door open and inspect the room by looking in closets, behind the bathroom door, behind window and shower curtains, under the bed(s) and any places someone might be able to hide. While inspecting your room, remember to leave your door open or ajar for a possible quick exit, and be sure to monitor the open door behind you, so that no one can slip in undetected. Be especially vigilant if you are in a drive-up motel room. (Also, be aware and avoid parking next to side-door access vans if at all possible).

If you have medications, put them in a drawer, covered, not on a sink or dresser top (out of sight, out of mind). It’s a good idea to keep a sheet with all your meds and any “need to know” health problems, conditions, allergies, etc.* If you have taken your valuables into your room (and not put them in a rented deposit box), place them in different suitcases, putting the suitcases on shelves or in the standing closet. Be sure to lock the cases when you are not in the room.

Check the smoke detector upon entering your hotel/motel room. The red light should be flashing if it is working properly; if not, call the front desk for a quick battery change.

Always lock your door behind you every time you leave your room, even if it’s only to run down the hall to get some ice or snacks. When leaving your room, turn the television and lights on and place your “do not disturb” sign on the doorknob. If you leave the room before housekeeping services cleans the room, upon returning repeat the same procedures above as if you have just entered the room for the first time.

Always use the elevator and not the stairways. Stairways are fireproof and soundproof and should be used only in emergency situations. When using elevators, always position yourself near the buttons (never press “STOP” for any reason). Immediately get off of the elevator if a “creepy” person wants to enter and you are alone. Don’t enter an elevator if you are alone and there is a “creepy” person on the elevator by themselves. If you find yourself alone on an elevator with one or more people that make you feel uncomfortable for any reason, press the next couple of floor buttons (always press more than one floor button in the direction that the elevator is going) and exit immediately.

In the case of any emergency where you need to attract attention, always yell “fire” and pound on as many doors as possible.

Enjoy your vacation or business trip and stay safe.

*Or alternatively, carry a medical computer CD in your wallet, vehicle or luggage at all times which contains your medical history, allergies, medications, important phone numbers or special needs should your medications be lost or stolen while you are traveling.

Thanks to Bob Gailor, Security Advisor, Nevada, and Mark Spencer, M.A., for their combined efforts in putting together this hotel/motel safety article for WSEG.

© Copyright 2006 S.A.F.E. All rights reserved.

Happy Holidays - December Newsletter

Denise Bach — Fri, 09 Dec 2005 20:47:00 +0000

Happy Holidays!

With Thanksgiving behind us our Holiday focus now is about Christmas, family travel and of course Christmas shopping!

Unfortunately, the season brings an increase in crime. We are more stressed, more harried and in our familiar comfort zones (places we frequent, like our favorite shopping spots, malls and various stores). We have a tendency, in general, to drop our defenses and become less vigilant about our personal safety, because we feel “safer” in familiar surroundings. It’s important to remember most crimes occur within 1 mile of where we work, shop, live, go to eat out, to the gym, etc.

We’ve put together some helpful hints to help you remember to be a “Tough Target” this year.

So remember, be more vigilant, more cautious and more safety conscious this Holiday Season!

SAFETY TIPS:

When leaving a store or building, scan with your eyes (360 degrees) several times as you approach your vehicle. Is someone following you? Is someone lingering in the parking lot near or between you and your vehicle? Is your “gut” feeling telling you you’re being watched? Are you carrying too many bags or boxes? Do you have a safety strategy if you are grabbed by a stranger? Are you prepared to get into your vehicle quickly and safely?

Have your keys out and ready to unlock and enter your vehicle as quickly as possible.
Don’t activate your keyless entry until you are close to your car.
Load your vehicle quickly, pay attention and keep scanning for approaching strangers.
Look in, under and around your car (and surrounding vehicles) for anything unusual or out of place. It’s a lot easier now for someone to hide or lie waiting under an SUV or pickup with the new higher ground clearances of vehicles.
Don’t be shy about asking for a helping hand from a store employee to help you to your car and assist you in loading your purchases into it.
For parents, ALWAYS, ALWAYS load your “stuff” first and your children last. Don’t allow a carjacking to turn into an abduction/kidnapping.
Get in your car and IMMEDIATELY lock it! Call on your cell phone, set your radio or cd dial, fix your lipstick, or balance your checkbook AFTER locking your car.
Be alert if your car is parked next to a van with a sliding side-door access.(It takes only 4 seconds to be grabbed and pulled into it).
DO NOT talk on your cell phone between the building and your car or car and building. Your attention needs to be focused on your surroundings, not distracted by a cell phone conversation. Wait until you are either in a building (safe) or your locked car to use your cell phone.
Lighten your purse and carry only what you need to shop. Better yet, eliminate your purse entirely and only carry your needed cash, identification, credit cards or check in a pocket or small concealable wallet or purse. Keeping your purse over your shoulder inside your coat is a safer way to carry it if you have to carry one.
Leave any valuables (purse, packages, etc.) out of site and in your trunk or under a blanket or cover for SUV’s and vans.
If you need money from an ATM, go into a bank, grocery store or someplace that is NOT isolated. Avoid/leave ATM’s that “feel” funny or unsafe. So you lose a few minutes going to another safer location.
Keep your distance from panhandlers/beggars asking for money or whatever (people who represent organizations like the Salvation Army and such are in well-trafficked, lighted areas and clearly identifiable, NOT wondering around parking lots.)
Be firm, using verbal self-defense commands to keep them at a safe distance.
Be especially alert in stacked parking garages, avoid stairwells. Get and travel with others whenever possible and DO NOT allow yourself to become isolated. If you see someone you get a “bad feeling” about, go back into a store, wait to go back until it’s safe or ask a security guard or store employee to walk you to your vehicle.

Remember the four steps to staying safe:

Be a tough target
Don’t be alone in an isolated area
If you feel threatened, attract attention by yelling “Fire!”
Take action either by running away or fighting back

ALWAYS:

Keep your pepper spray out, on and ready! Make it tough for the bad guys to take advantage. Most importantly, trust your intuition or “gut feeling,” and take action if you feel threatened.

By simply thinking and acting safer and allowing these behaviors to become habits, you WILL be safer.

From our Family to yours, have a wonderful, safe Holiday Season!

And, Merry Christmas from WSEG!

Sincerely,

Denise Bach
Director

© Copyright 2006 S.A.F.E. All rights reserved.

November 2005 Newsletter

Denise Bach — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 18:28:00 +0000

HOLIDAY TRAVEL 2005

WOW! The holidays are upon us once again and that means road trips and travel
for many of us to visit family and friends. Here are some tips to help
prepare you and make your holiday travel less stressful and safer.

CAR SAFETY CHECK LIST:

1) Make sure your car has either been recently tuned or not in need of a
tune-up for at least another 3 months or 3000 miles to assure it is running
properly.

2) Be sure to check all your fluid levels before hitting the road (check car manual or with the service dept. of a car dealer of the make of your car if you cannot find the necessary specifications or info you need).

Check: OIL, COOLANT, TIRE PRESSURE, TRANSMISSION, WINDSHIELD FLUID, (back wiper reservoir on vans, wagons and SUVs), WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES (If they streak or or split, replace them*).

* Get in the habit of replacing them twice a year same time you change your smoke detector batteries.

3) Tires should be in good shape with plenty of tread left before embarking
on an extended trip. (Insert a penny on it’s edge with Lincoln's head in the
tire groove. If you can see space above his head, get new tires!) Make sure
you have a spare and that it's properly inflated as well.

4) Check to make sure all your lights are working, especially your low and high beams.

Always be prepared for the unexpected.

OR: Or take your car to a reputable and trusted garage to go through your checklist for you.

MUST CARRY SAFETY ITEMS CHECK LIST:

Jumper Cables

Tire Gauge

Duct tape and Electrical tape rolls

Working Flashlight ( extra batteries)

Small tool kit or at least pliers, screw drivers and small open end and socket wrenches

Couple of flares

Cell phone and car charger

HIGHWAY SAFETY SIGN*

PEPPER SPRAY*

COLDER CLIMATES:

Be sure to carry a couple of extra blankets ( Preferably a foil space blanket)

Extra jackets or sweat shirts, gloves

Even chains are a good idea

Food provisions are a good idea in addition to travel munchies, carry some extra water bottles, and non perishable packageable foods (food bars, pop-top canned food items, etc.

Disposable lighter

Spray de-icer, windshield brush and scraper

Inflate-a-tire

Other items: A roll of quarters and anywhere from $20 - $100 in cash in a safe place in your car that could be used in case you run out of gas or need help with towing, etc.

GENERAL SAFETY HINTS:

Prepare your route ahead of time (yahoo maps or mapquest if it's a new route
for you if you don't have a NAV system) and let family and/or friends know
where you are going, for how long, when you are leaving and when you expect
to return. Let neighbors know you are going away and have them take in
papers and mail for you. Leave some lights on, like living room, kitchen (
point of entry rooms) or better yet invest in some timers and set a few
rooms with them to give the appearance that someone is home. Park an extra
vehicle in your driveway. Be a tough target and give the appearance of your
home not being vacated for a few days.

NEVER let your gas tank get below 1/4-1/3 full.

*The most important safety products we recommend for travel safety are PEPPER SPRAY and HIGHWAY HELP SAFETY SIGNS, both available for purchase on our
website.

A HIGHWAY SAFETY SIGN should be in each car in your family. As a disabled
motorist you are at high risk as people cruise the highway looking for potential victims. (65%-70% of serial killers find their victims this way).

Newly introduced to the US from Canada, the sign has proven to be a great
deterrent for the would-be highway predator. And, motorists call 911 when
they see someone stranded on the side of the road to alert authorities. You
cannot always depend on your cell phone working or take the risk of an
“alleged good Samaritan” helping you. Get one for all the cars in your
family and give them to those you care about.

Have a wonderful and safe Holiday from the folks at WSEG and KSEG.

Prepared by Mark Spencer, MA, S.A.F.E.

© Copyright 2006 S.A.F.E. All rights reserved.

October 2005 Newsletter

Denise Bach — Wed, 12 Oct 2005 20:48:00 +0000

HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS:

The Days are getting shorter, the nights a little cooler, and the store shelves are already stocked with candy. It's that time of the year once again. Every child's favorite holiday, HALLOWEEN is quickly approaching. We want you to have a fun, safe and happy Halloween, so we have some simple safety tips for both children and parents to follow to insure your holiday safety this year.

**************************************************************************
TRICK-OR-TREATERS BASIC RULES

Plan your route and share it with your family. If possible, have an adult go with you.

Carry a flashlight to light your way (make sure you have installed fresh batteries in each flashlight).

Keep away from open fires and candles in porch and yard decorations (costumes can catch fire easily).

Accept your treats at the door and never go into a stranger's house or car

Be cautious of animals that may come to the door or be outside the house.

Have a grown-up inspect your treats before eating.

And, don't eat candy or drink beverages if the package is already opened.

Report any suspicious behavior to parents.

**************************************************************************
COSTUME SAFETY

Make sure your costume doesn't drag on the ground.

Shoes should fit (even if they don't go with your costume).

Wear a watch that can be read in the dark.

Carry only flexible knives, swords or other props.

Add reflective markings or tape to your costume (parents should add it to their clothing as well).

**************************************************************************
BE STREET SMART

Remove any mask or item that will limit eyesight before crossing a street, driveway or alley.

Don't assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing trick-or-treaters. Just because one car stops doesn't mean others will.

Stay in a group, walk slowly and communicate where you are going.

Cross the street only at corners or crosswalks.

Only trick-or-treat in well-known neighborhoods at homes that have the porch light on.

Remain on well lit streets, and stay on sidewalks.

If no sidewalk is available walk at the farthest edge of the roadway facing traffic.

Never cut across yards or use alleys.

Obey traffic signals and pedestrian regulations, only crossing the street as a group in established crosswalks.

**************************************************************************
PARENTS

Costumes:

When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories, purchase only those with a label indicating they are flame resistant.

Review with your children the principle of “stop-drop-roll”, should their clothes catch on fire.

Secure emergency identification (name, address, phone number) discreetly within Halloween attire, for example on a bracelet or shoe.

Because a mask can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic and hypoallergenic makeup or a decorative hat as a safe alternative.

Plan ahead to use only battery-powered lanterns or chemical light sticks in place of candles in decorations and costumes.

Put reflective tape on costumes and props.

**************************************************************************
Street Safety:

Plan and review with your children the route and behavior which is acceptable to you.

Provide a flashlight to each child and escort (make sure you have installed fresh batteries in each flashlight).

Teach children their home phone number and how to call 911 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost. Remind them that 911 can be dialed free from any phone.

Openly discuss appropriate and inappropriate behavior at Halloween time.

Do not permit children to bicycle, rollerblade or skateboard on Halloween night in their costume.

Provide emergency coins for emergency phone calls and/or a cell phone.

Ideally, young children of any age should be accompanied by an adult.

Provide your child with a watch, preferably one that can be read in the dark.

**************************************************************************
Miscellaneous:

Although tampering is rare, tell children to bring the candy home to be inspected before consuming anything.

Look at the wrapping carefully and toss out anything that looks suspicious.

Make sure items that can cause choking, such as hard candies are given only to those of an appropriate age.

Make your child dinner before setting out so they will not be tempted to eat treats before they get home.

Older children should know where to reach you and when to be home.

**************************************************************************
HOMEOWNERS

Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, dog leashes and flower pots that can trip Trick-or-Treaters.

Pets get frightened on Halloween, so put them up to protect them from cars or inadvertently biting a Trick-or-Treater.

Battery-powered Jack o’Lantern candles are preferable to a real flame.

If you do use candles, place the pumpkin or decoration well away from where Trick-or-Treaters will be walking or standing.

Make sure paper or cloth yard decorations won’t be blown into a flaming candle.

Healthy food alternatives for Trick-or-Treaters include packages of low-fat crackers with cheese or peanut butter filling, single-serve boxes of cereal, packaged fruit rolls, mini boxes of raisins, and single-serve packets of low-fat popcorn that can be microwaved later.

Consider giving non-food treats: plastic rings, pencils stickers, erasers and coins.

**************************************************************************
TRICK-OR-TREAT ALTERNATIVES

Find a special event or start one in your neighborhood.

Community centers, shopping malls and Houses of Worship may have organized festivities.

Share the fun by arranging a visit to a retirement home or senior center.

Create an alliance with college or charity sororities or service clubs for children's face painting or a carnival.

BE SAFE!
AND HAVE A HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Written by: Mark Spencer, MA, Safety Consultant, and Denise Bach, CEO, Kidz Safety Education Group. Visit http://www.kseg.org/ or call 800-318-8037 to learn more about kids safety or schedule a safety seminar for your kids.

© Copyright 2006 S.A.F.E. All rights reserved.

Sources: American Red Cross, Los Angeles Fire Department and Children’s Safety Zone.

October 2006 Newsletter

Denise Bach — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 18:28:00 +0000

MYTH BUSTING ABOUT PHYSICAL SELF-DEFENSE

Over the years what has been written and taught to women about what to do if physically attacked is sometimes confusing, contradictory, out-dated or just plain wrong. So this month I hope to ‘bust a few myths’.

Our world changed dramatically after 9-11, and as a nation we became acutely aware of our vulnerability. Although terrorism is a very real threat, most of us probably will never experience it firsthand. We do however need to close our vulnerability gap against potential threats to our personal safety as we are much more likely to be the victim of a personal crime on a local level. The potentialitly of being a crime victim means we should and need to become more vigilant and proactive with strategies and plans to put into action just in case an emergency does arise. Today’s criminals are more savvy, more ruthless, bolder, better equipped (internet, cell phones, etc.), less respective or fearful of authority, and much more violent than ever before. Now I do not believe we have to live a fear-based life --- quite the contrary. But neither can we live as if the Emperor is clothed when in fact he is not! I am here to tell you the Emperor (the real facts about crime in the USA) has no clothes and we must raise our safety consciousness and personally take action to be better prepared. Our schools practice safety drills in the event of a fire, and all of us having daily safety strategies is absolutely no different.

It is a fact that of the four major countries that report crime and rape statistics, the USA is last with the worst statistics. Our country has 4 x more rapes than Germany, 13 x more rapes than England and 20 x more rapes than Japan. Pretty sobering statistics, but very real hard facts nonetheless. So, this month’s Newsletter deals with the very real threats of physical self-defense and busting some long standing myths.

CHOOSING TO FIGHT BACK OR NOT

If you are in a situation where your last and only option is to fight back to defend yourself from an attack or a rape, the following is critically important to know. Fighting back is not an absolute option to an attack or rape, but it could possibly save your life! Here are a few things you need to know should you have to fight back an attacker or rapist:

1. Remember that any physical assault or rape is ALWAYS considered a life-threatening situation.
2. Never assume if you cooperate with an attacker, you won’t be hurt or even killed, regardless of what they say to you.
3. Physical trauma resulting from a rape is very devastating and professional help and medical attention should be sought as soon as possible.
4. Emotional trauma resulting from a rape has equally severe and even longer lasting affects, and necessitates seeking professional counseling to help in recovery.
5. Rape is NEVER a women’s fault under any circumstances.

MYTH #1: “Fighting back will make the attacker or rapist madder and possibly more violent, so it is always safer to simply submit and not do anything to defend yourself.”

THE TRUTH: Safety experts have determined you are TWICE as likely to prevent a rape if you take both immediate and forceful action. Having several good ‘what if’ strategies in your safety toolbox serves you much better than figuring out what to do as it is happening. Of course submitting without resisting is always a valid choice, and it is always up to the individual to decide the best course of action in their particular situation. Only can you decide for yourself the best course of action to take in any given situation as it presents itself to you individually . If a person feels that submission is the only way to survive the attack or rape, then it is the best option. The bottom line is this: Plan to fight back to defend yourself and be prepared to fight back because only you can decide which is the best course of action to take, but you must be prepared for either option.

Remember there are no silver bullets or absolute answers to any given situation, as each is a stand-alone scenario. Myth #1 however, is based on the erroneous assumption that you would lose the fight or be unsuccessful thwarting off the rape. It is easier to consider fighting back as an option and you would most likely be more successful defending yourself, especially if you have had some training, even a little bit (the physical self-defense techniques we teach in our S.A.F.E. programs are great techniques to know!).

MYTH #2: “You need to be an experienced martial artist to defeat an attacker. A physical self-defense class is simply not enough training to be effective against an attack or rape.”

THE TRUTH: “Self-defense” and “martial arts” training are very different and even though no one can expect a high level of skill in one class or two of self-defense training, the fact is a high level of skill isn’t necessary in most scenarios! I recently heard about an 80-year-old woman who actually choked her attacker to death. For centuries, people with no marital arts training have been successful in fighting off attackers. A strong will to survive, lots of adrenaline, strategies that you can implement immediately and perhaps a little bit of luck can be more valuable than years of training. You however stack the odds in your favor from taking a good self-defense training class.

MYTH #3: “No matter what I learn or what training I have, I’d be too scared, too weak, etc. to be effective in a fight. I am too out of shape to even take a self-defense class!”

THE TRUTH: Anything you have never tried before creates doubt, even fear, but if we never try we can never learn anything new. It is incredibly empowering to be able to do something new that we never thought we could do before or thought was impossible. Taking a self-defense class for example, can help us to break through existing physical and emotional barriers. Unlike martial arts training, self-defense classes are designed with a specific training that stresses ‘quick and dirty’ techniques aimed at vulnerable body areas with minimal force and maximum results. Techniques should also be able to be performed with little physical ability (or mobility), be simple and not even require a fully functioning body or years to master, as a marital art does. Most women discover that they are in fact more powerful (emotionally and physically) and better able to handle themselves in a threatening situation than they originally gave themselves credit for, even after just a little self-defense training. It can give a woman a sense of self-confidence and move them from being fear-based to feeling empowered, possibly even for the first time in their lives.

A good self-defense course should include:

1) Verbal and physical skills for avoiding and defusing confrontations.
2) Easy to learn and apply effective "quick and dirty" techniques.
3) Training to help you tap into your inner strength and your inner courage that enables you to overcome freezing in a panic situation.
4) A safe place and space where a woman who may have had experienced a previous attack or trauma can work out and feel safe in her training.

NOTE: You should consider taking a self-defense training annually to keep your skills fresh and your body reflexes sharp. This allows for your body to condition-in 'muscle memory' so if you have to react to physically defend yourself, you simply react in a ‘call-to-action’ mode without even thinking.

WSEG is considering creating an ‘On The Mat’ physical self-defense training class. If you would like us to offer self-defense training classes, please email us and let us know (contact: glenn@wseg.org). Your response is important to us, and we thank you for your input!

BOOKING A PROGRAM NOTE: If you would like to book a women's safety program for your organization, club, business, church, etc. please email us at seminars@WSEG.org or call us at 1-800-318-8037.

Mark Spencer, M.A., S.A.F.E.

Highway Help Signs - New Featured Safety Product

Denise Bach — Mon, 21 Nov 2005 21:02:00 +0000

Introducing our new Highway Help Signs.

Lost? Car trouble? No cell phone connection?

Help is here.

Click here to view a news video that shows exactly how the Highway Help Sign can help keep you safe or save the life of another. This will take a few minutes to load, depending on your connection, but it will be worth it.

Have a safe and happy day,

The Women's Safety Education Group staff.