| Just how likely are you to become a victim of crime? | | | | a cell phone or pepper spray disguised to look like a |
| It is believed that crime is increasing in many cities | | | | pen can be great choices, especially when you |
| across the United States. Most of the country's large | | | | consider that many of these crimes are perpetrated |
| cities, from New Orleans to Los Angeles and | | | | by attackers who know their victim. |
| everywhere in between, have disturbingly high | | | | According to the FBI, there are more than |
| numbers of violent crime (which include murder, rape, | | | | seventeen million property crimes such as burglary in |
| and assault) as well as property crimes such a thefts, | | | | the United States each year, including a burglary |
| burglaries, and break-ins. Living in today's world, it's no | | | | every twelve seconds and a violent robbery every |
| wonder why so many people have chosen to | | | | 70 seconds. The average dollar loss per home |
| protect their homes, themselves, and their families | | | | invasion is about $1,725 to $2,000, and by far houses |
| with security systems, stun guns, pepper spray, | | | | are the biggest target for break-ins. Clearly, property |
| personal alarms, and a whole host of other devices | | | | crimes are a huge problem in the United States. |
| designed to give you peace of mind and help you | | | | When you consider the danger your home is in, as |
| thwart an attack. | | | | well as how much property you are risking by leaving |
| What do the statistics show about the level of crime | | | | it unprotected, it makes sense to protect your home |
| in the United States? Last year, there was a violent | | | | with alarms, security cameras, and other devices. |
| crime every 22.8 seconds, and an aggravated assault | | | | Much can be learned from the method of entry for |
| every 37.8 seconds. No matter your gender, age, or | | | | most home burglaries. About two thirds of residential |
| location, it is critical that you protect yourself before | | | | burglaries occurred during daylight hours, while many |
| you become part of these statistics. | | | | people mistakenly believe that their home is at |
| There were almost five million acts of violence with | | | | greater risk at night. A third of all home invasions |
| female victims reported in the United States last | | | | happen right through the front door, while another |
| year. Three quarters of these women were attacked | | | | quarter enter through a first floor window, and nearly |
| when alone, and half were attacked by multiple | | | | all of the rest enter through the back door or garage. |
| assailants. Thirty percent of female victims of | | | | In nearly all cases, any alarms or other security |
| violence were attacked by someone they knew well. | | | | systems on the home were not turned on or armed |
| There are more than half a million rapes reported in | | | | at the time of the burglary. |
| the United States each year. These statistics | | | | Historically speaking, property crime tends to increase |
| underscore the need for women, especially, to | | | | when the economy is not doing well. Since we are |
| protect themselves. Carry pepper spray in your | | | | currently in a recession, it is all the more important to |
| handbag everywhere you go. A stun gun shaped like | | | | protect yourself, your home, and your family. |