It can be intimidating navigating the city at night, especially when you’re on your own. Fortunately, back-up is never far away when you’re armed with the right self-protection tools. But how do you know which ones are the “right” ones?
If you ask me, the most effective self-defense products share a few essential traits. They have to be easy to carry. They have to be easy to use. They have to be easy to conceal.
With those criteria in mind, here are three of my picks for the very best self-defense products on the market today. Any woman who wants to be safe should keep at least one of these on her person at all times.
Self-Defense Keychains
It might seem silly to recommend a self-defense tool for its utility as a fashionable accessory, but when you want to stay armed at all times without being conspicuous, it’s important that the item in question can blend in with a balance of stylishness and functionality. A self-protection keychain can offer one of the best combinations of those two qualities.
They come in many different styles, meaning that there’s an option for anyone regardless of their personal aesthetic. And they also double as powerful weapons, perfect for defense against an unsuspecting attacker. Simply hook one of these onto your bag or belt loop, then use it as a knife, baton, or pair of knuckle duster. They’ll never know what hit them.
Shock Pens
Let’s get this out of the way right now: self-defense products are not toys. They are serious weapons that can cause real damage if used improperly and, thus, should always be handled with utmost care. That said, it’s hard to not feel like a little kid pretending to be a secret agent whenever you have a shock pen on hand. These things are just plain cool.
To the rest of the world, they look just like any other ballpoint pen. Except, that is, for one little exception. While most pens hold nothing more inside than some ink and plastic, a shock pen conceals a fully functioning rechargeable stun gun capable of delivering tens or even hundreds of thousands of volts of electricity to an assailant at the push of a button.
What’s more, the scary-sounding crackle that shock pens produce has a secondary effect as a deterrent, potentially ending conflicts before they even begin.
Pepper Spray
Last but not least, you can’t go wrong with trusty old reliable pepper spray. A fast and inefficient way of disabling an attacker, pepper spray causes severe pain and irritation to an assailant’s eyes, skin, and respiratory system.
Simply put, one face full of this stuff and they won’t be in any condition to bother anyone. Additionally, invisible UV-sensitive chemicals can help police identify the perpetrator later.
Requiring little to no training, if you can use a can of hairspray you can use a can of pepper spray. Just make sure the can is pointed directly at your attacker’s face and do your best to shield yourself from any blowback.
Best of all, pepper spray comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, meaning you don’t have to lug around a fire extinguisher full of the stuff. Lipstick-sized containers can easily be concealed in a pocket or purse, packing a lot of punch in a small space.