We had a fabulous speaker yesterday at our office meeting... A.J Gwyn...
(Yes, Chris was fabulous too speaking about Chris Jackson Property Inspections lol here's a little shot of him doing his thing... and he already had a new call today! Yay for him! Please click and be a fan of his Fan Page in Facebook if you have a sec, thanks for your support!)
Ok back on track, A.J. Gwyn, founder & commander with the Southern Crime Prevention Task Force came to speak to the Realtors in my office about safety and what we do. I will admit, he looked exactly like he stepped off Law and Order: Special Victims Unit (which was great because he really grabbed my attention haha). I know most of you reading are not a Realtor (for those who are I am so glad you are reading and getting this info if he did not come to your office!) but this is really for everyone. With the economy being the way it is, there are people who are so desperate for money, desperate to feed their drug addiction, and desperate to just get by and live. Even though we all like to think we live in a perfect world, it is just not realistic. There are bad people. There are crazy people. And there are people who really just don't give a "you know what" about other people and their lives. A.J. gave us some wonderful tips, most are things that are simple, we just don't think of them every day. So I wanted to share with you some tips he gave that I wrote down and also some statistics and I pray they will reside in your mind, Lord forbid, should you ever need them! It is good to be aware!
1. If you are carrying Pepper Spray... Throw it Away!
You may not know this and I didn't either so don't feel bad, but pepper spray doesn't do the trick anymore. Several reasons, it is only good for 12 months then it expires, it is only 1% of whatever that chemical is called that is the harmful stuff, if you miss their eyes or they cover them up real quick, you are pretty much screwed. OC SPRAY is WHAT YOU NEED TO CARRY! I got some yesterday. It is much better, lasts up to 3 years, sprays a straight shot so it is easier, and it effects eyes and lungs, so basically if you have to spray and they just breath it in, it slows breathing for about 45 minutes (which is more than enough time to run and get the hell away ha!) You can not buy it at drugstores, must be an official police store I think. You can google it and find some near you I am sure.
This what mine looks like, and you don't have to unsnap the button to use it! It's awesome!
2. 85% of the time, your GUT instinct is right!
If you feel your gut telling you that you are in an uncomfortable situation, then remove yourself! Your gut instinct is very important. Our bodies and mind can help tell us things, it is our job to listen. Obviously this can not work 100% of time, so always be aware of your surroundings, but usually you can trust your gut and you will know when you get that feeling!
3. Always Make Eye Contact w/ Strangers
I learned this yesterday, it seems simple but I honestly had never thought of it before... when you make eye contact with someone it shows confidence. If someone can't make eye contact, usually they are lying, fearful, nervous, etc etc. So always try to make eye contact, even if you feel uncomfortable.
4. Keep People out of your Personal Space!
This is usually pretty easy for most people, because most of us don't like a stranger up in our space! ha! But realistically, it is very smart. Always keep 6-8ft between you and stranger, especially if you are alone. People don't need to get that close to you...and keeping that space gives you more time to react should you have to.
5. Know Where People's Hands Are
This is kind of a given, but try to pay attention to people's hands and make sure you can see them at all times. Just makes you more aware and alert of what they are doing.
6. Your Cell Phone Could Save Your Life
Everyone needs to put 911 on speed dial on your phone, or download the 911 App for your smart phone. A.J told a story about someone who had been robbed and afterwards was so shaken up he literlaly couldn't dial 911... and I am sure this happens a lot. When our bodies are full of fear and anxiety sometimes they can do weird things and then not do certain things we want them to. So it is easier to just be able to press one button and call 911 should you need to. I do not have an iPhone, but I googled it for you all and I think there is an App for it for those of you do have one...
7. Make sure your Smart Phone GPS is on when you're alone
Speaking of cell phones, if you have a smart phone then you have GPS on your phone. Go to your settings and figure out how to turn this on (maybe not all the time bc it will run your battery down quicker) but when you are going to be traveling alone, working open house, etc. This will allow the police to locate your exact loation through your phone, and not just ping it off a near by tower. I learned this yesterday too :)
8. Monday is the Most Dangerous Day
I know we all hate Monday's anyway lol but I also learned that Monday's are the most dangerous day of the week to be robbed, etc. Monday's are after the weekend, all the crack heads are coming down from their weekend buzz and getting desperate. People are at work, so most homes are empty. It makes sense. So just be aware and alert on Monday's when you go about your busy schedules!
9. Lock Your Doors When You Enter Your Car
This was a biggie for me... a lot of times when you are out at night you rush to your car and then once you're in you feel "safe" but if you're like me, you put your stuff in the seat, start the car, get out your phone, text, look at an email, make a call, tweet on Twitter, check the newsfeed on facebook, blah blah you get my drift LOL (sad but true and you know it!) Well this is a big fat NO-NO if you are sitting there with your doors unlocked. Perfect time for someone to come up and see you vulnerable. Lock your doors as soon as you get in. I know my car automatically locks once you start driving, and that's great, but the sitting in the parking lot before you start driving is when they need to be locked. Very good tip!
10. IF YOU HAVE KIDS or GRAND-KIDS...This is Serious!
This was a HUGE shocker to I think everyone in class yesterday, but right now the US has an average of 21 kids being abducted every day! WOW! So sad!
Only 1% of parents have their children's fingerprints at home, and less than 1% have their children's DNA sample at home. This could SAVE your child's life!
Yesterday we bought Child ID Kits for the kiddos. These are something I had never even heard of (don't judge, only started doing kid like living a couple years ago haha but catching on quickly) but maybe you haven't heard of them either so I wanted to share. We plan on doing them this weekend with the kids (I will find a way to make it fun for them even though it will only take 5 minutes!) But these ID kits can save their lives, Heaven Forbid something ever happen to them. They have a spot for a picture, fingerprints for every finger (comes with the ink), and a spot to swab your mouth and put the saliva on a chemically treated spot that holds your childs DNA for 15 YEARS! Unbelievable I know, but true. Also has a spot for their dental records, body scars or birthmarks, etc. They are fantastic!
Here is a sample, not the exact one I purchased but close and similar just so you can get the idea!
I am currently checking into buying these and sending as a gift to all my clients with children... that is how great I think they are. (The ones we purchased yesterday were $9 each, but I am sure prices will vary a little)
I know this was lengthy but I think it was worth sharing...And I hope you will forward this link to your friends and family... moms, wives, sisters, girlfriends, aunts, mamaw's etc etc!
Now that I have scared the poo out of everyone (hopefully not lol) I will share a quick couple prayers over everyone reading this for your safety....
"The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.
The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore."
The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in From this time forth, and even forevermore."
Psalms 121:7-8
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14.27
"I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety".
Psalm 4:8
Psalm 4:8
"The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1
"But I call to God, and the LORD saves me".
Psalm 55:16
"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me".
Psalm 138:7
"Say this: "God, you're my refuge.
I trust in you and I'm safe!"
That's right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you—
under them you're perfectly safe;
his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
drop like flies right and left,
no harm will even graze you.
You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because God's your refuge,
the High God your very own home,
Evil can't get close to you,
harm can't get through the door.
He ordered his angels
to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they'll catch you;
their job is to keep you from falling.
You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
and kick young lions and serpents from the path."
I trust in you and I'm safe!"
That's right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you—
under them you're perfectly safe;
his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
drop like flies right and left,
no harm will even graze you.
You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because God's your refuge,
the High God your very own home,
Evil can't get close to you,
harm can't get through the door.
He ordered his angels
to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they'll catch you;
their job is to keep you from falling.
You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
and kick young lions and serpents from the path."
Psalm 91:1-13
Be Safe & Blessed Today!
