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Pepper Spray......legal here?

576

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 16 July 2011 - 17:29

Hi Ladies!

So the good news is after 7 months of trawling the jobs boards......I've finally scored a job!! YEAY!!!!! Its in Real Estate so looking forwards to a new challenge and something completely different from what I've done before!

The only thing now is that DH is stressing about the safety aspect - with me showing a bunch of randoms into apartments on my own. Is pepper spray or other similar self defense stuff legal over here? And if so, where can you get it?

Also, for any other ladies out there with similar jobs, what do you do to keep yourselves safe? Do your companies have a check-in policy or anything similar and have you ever encountered any problems?
TIA! :)

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407

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 17 July 2011 - 10:24

OP - when I was in real estate, it was one of my fears too. However, there were no incidents, regardles how practical in may seem (believe me once you are into it - the sizzling heat, your car is cooked and you just need to go around the block it might see more comfortable when someone offers to use their car to look at the next villa/apartment) don't accept that. When you are with the rare person/s that you don't feel too right about, make sure you call someone - friend/husband etc and in 'conversation' mention apartmetn number and that you'll call them back in 10 minutes as soon as the 'showing' is done. Few women in India keep a pack of red chilli powder in their bags, to be thrown into an attackers eyes. Hmmm...thinking of which how about we made a solution of the chilli powder/tabasco sauce/Pepper and water into a water sprayer...it could be something you keep to spice up your meals!!!

447

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 17 July 2011 - 08:20

exactly the same advice I got in NZ years ago...call the fire bigrade. I had an intruder, lived alone in a villa type place, had a dog going nuts and could hear all the windows being tried. When the cops got there they said to call the fire guys as they would be there in 3 mins and actually catch the guy. Sure enough, guy caught with a machete, a few injured, (none dead thank god) fire men there first. eta: as a note...cops could only prosecute if your man had actually harmed me AND they had caught him with a good description. If actually caught in the act or fleeing (by fire guys, there so much quicker) we had a much better case. edited by arohadxb on 16/07/2011 My goodness Aroha, how scary!

447

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 17 July 2011 - 08:18

as a general rule of thumb (not specific to here) anything that you might reasonably expect to have on your person is an acceptable weapon when it comes to self defence. You might have deodorant sprays, insect spray, mouthwash spray, reasonably, in your hand bag at any time. On your balcony, in the case of intruders....window wash stuff, insect/fly spray. Fertilizer? At your back door/front door...furniture polish, tile cleaner spray, windolene, etc etc. You may have a bad back and require a voltaren muscle spray, a bad case of sinus and require a salt spry. Keys are good, but you may also find yourself transporting a great deal of coins to the exchange/bank at anytime, and these wielded in a empty sock swung like a baseball ball with a decent wind up may have an interesting deterent effect. As will your handbag, with enough weight in it. Your shoes, if heels, (with decent tips on them) are not just effective on lower regions...bad luck if one fell off landed in your hand and ended up planted between the bad guys eyes. Or up his nose with an unfortunate 'rip' upwards. hth :)

2937

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 16 July 2011 - 23:23

And if you have a hand free and it's a man that is 'annoying' you, don't be shy, a quick handshake with the family jewels will drop them like a stone. ;) I like to call this the 'clutch, twist and pull' technique :D. Highly effective.

2322

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 16 July 2011 - 19:51

exactly the same advice I got in NZ years ago...call the fire bigrade. I had an intruder, lived alone in a villa type place, had a dog going nuts and could hear all the windows being tried. When the cops got there they said to call the fire guys as they would be there in 3 mins and actually catch the guy. Sure enough, guy caught with a machete, a few injured, (none dead thank god) fire men there first. eta: as a note...cops could only prosecute if your man had actually harmed me AND they had caught him with a good description. If actually caught in the act or fleeing (by fire guys, there so much quicker) we had a much better case. <em>edited by arohadxb on 16/07/2011</em>

231

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 16 July 2011 - 19:42

I never forgot a piece of advice given to us by Bristol police when we were 1st year students. They conducted a round of lectures on safety around the all the halls of residences. (we had huges Downs to cross, sometimes after nightfall). If you should ever be attacked, or chased, etc instead of shouting for HELP, shout FIRE. In their experience people didn't always answer a cry for help, whereas they would be more likely to at least investigate the 'source' of a fire. Never had to try this thankfully, but never forgot their advice. Hope this helps. <em>edited by Moustique on 16/07/2011</em>

2322

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 16 July 2011 - 19:33

LOL Aroha brilliant. On a more serious note, DH sleeps with a 6 battery (the largest ones) MagLite next to the bed. Think super heavy truncheon :D Don't think the intent of purchase (or insertion of batteries) was ever for it's light source or that it's ever even been switched on for that matter. So you could always carry a torch in case the DEWA hasn't been activated yet :D exactly. :D or a bag of soap bars, just purchased and not put away yet. (T'only works if house is as disorganized as mine, but :) )

355

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 16 July 2011 - 19:29

LOL Aroha brilliant. On a more serious note, DH sleeps with a 6 battery (the largest ones) MagLite next to the bed. Think super heavy truncheon :D Don't think the intent of purchase (or insertion of batteries) was ever for it's light source or that it's ever even been switched on for that matter. So you could always carry a torch in case the DEWA hasn't been activated yet :D

2322

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 16 July 2011 - 19:14

as a general rule of thumb (not specific to here) anything that you might reasonably expect to have on your person is an acceptable weapon when it comes to self defence. You might have deodorant sprays, insect spray, mouthwash spray, reasonably, in your hand bag at any time. On your balcony, in the case of intruders....window wash stuff, insect/fly spray. Fertilizer? At your back door/front door...furniture polish, tile cleaner spray, windolene, etc etc. You may have a bad back and require a voltaren muscle spray, a bad case of sinus and require a salt spry. Keys are good, but you may also find yourself transporting a great deal of coins to the exchange/bank at anytime, and these wielded in a empty sock swung like a baseball ball with a decent wind up may have an interesting deterent effect. As will your handbag, with enough weight in it. Your shoes, if heels, (with decent tips on them) are not just effective on lower regions...bad luck if one fell off landed in your hand and ended up planted between the bad guys eyes. Or up his nose with an unfortunate 'rip' upwards. hth :)

447

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 16 July 2011 - 19:00

When I lived on my own, I had a can of flyspray and a lighter next to my bed!!

576

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 16 July 2011 - 18:50

You could also accidentally light a ligher in front of the hairspray!! Would have a very distracting effect! DH is definitely with you on this one!! ;) Loving the suggestions! Keep 'em coming!! :D

447

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 16 July 2011 - 18:39

You could also accidentally light a ligher in front of the hairspray!! Would have a very distracting effect!

576

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 16 July 2011 - 17:54

Hahaha!!1 Cheeky monkey! I love it! Thanks for the suggestions. hadnt even crossed my mind to use hairspray etc, but very good idea! And will be sure to always keep one hand free for a good, firm handshake!!! ;) <em>edited by LMAO-DXB on 16/07/2011</em>

521

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 16 July 2011 - 17:50

Lolo, I like your thinking Cheeky Monkey. :)

858

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 16 July 2011 - 17:46

No, it is illegal. However, a small can of hairspray or body spray isn't and is quite effective in 'distracting' someone if you should happen to accidently spray it in their face... As for safety, always let a colleague or someone know where you are showing places, even just sending a quick text to hubby and then one saying you are back would help. Carry your keys in your hand and if you feel something isn't right, keep the key fob in your fist and let the sharp point of the key poke out between your fingers. A sharp high heel down the shin is also always useful if you should find yourself grabbed from behind. And if you have a hand free and it's a man that is 'annoying' you, don't be shy, a quick handshake with the family jewels will drop them like a stone. ;)

576

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 16 July 2011 - 17:44

Thanks Saltire. I was also thinking its unlikely to be legal. I wasnt really too bothered until DH started talking about it but its got me a bit worried now too, especially as you hear stories in the press about women being attacked and then them being the ones that get in trouble with the law!!

521

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 16 July 2011 - 17:39

I don't know for sure but I would very much guess pepper spray would not be legal here. I would suggest checking with the police on what is deemed appropriate for protecting yourself, but I think it would be a very gray area. Good luck with the new job. :)

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