Police: Self-Defense Weapons Include Flashlights, Pens and Whistles

Should you carry a self-defense flashlight with you at all times? Yes! When do you need a Self-Defense flashlight: Easy, when you don’t have one.

What is a self-defense flashlight? Basically, it’s a smaller flashlight, with an LED bulb, it can run on AAA or lithium batteries, it’s made of some type of aluminum and it should have a beveled edge. They can run anywhere from $10 - $200. You can find them all over the place, but a good place to learn about them and see the ratings they earn, check out Amazon.com or type in “self-defense flashlights” in Google.

You should carry one because you never know when you will need one. The light is bright and it can help you find lost items, can help you find your key hole at night and best of all, if it has a beveled edge, you can use the flashlight to defend yourself. Just think how much it would deter an attacker 1) If you shine the light in his/her face and 2) If you use push the beveled edge of flashlight into his/her arm or hand when you are being attacked.

Should you also carry a self-defense pen and a whistle? I think you should.

A self-defense pen is a working pen made out aluminum and can also be used to defend you from an attacker. It will usually have a beveled or pointed edge. You can also find these on Amazon.com and Google.

Lastly, both guys and gals should carry a whistle. Bad guys don’t like attention and a whistle is a great way to get attention, especially if you are in fear of being attacked. Wear one with a break-away lanyard so you can’t be chocked with it. Wear it when your jogging, walking the dog, shopping or wherever. You get the idea. You can wear it under your clothes so no one sees it.

Good Luck.

Officer Larry Jacobs is the Crime Prevention Officer for the Sandy Springs Police Department. He can be reached at ljacobs@sandyspringsga.gov.