While most people associate assaults with dark alleys and other places that are void of crowds, many might be surprised to learn how often they occur right out in the open. People can even be vulnerable in traffic, and road rage isn't always the provocation for such an attack.

According to the City of Redlands Police Department, a 35-year-old woman was driving a motorized scooter on Citrus Avenue when a man who was driving a 2004-2006 Ford Taurus motioned for her to pull over.

Although the man was in plainclothes and without a badge, he gave the woman the impression that he was a police officer. After trying to persuade the woman to follow him into a nearby orange grove, the attacker extended his hand to the underside of her dress and requested a glimpse at her underwear. The incident occurred shortly after 10 a.m. Tuesday, and the police are asking for information that pertains to the man who impersonated a police officer.

Those who want to improve their personal safety while behind the wheel might want to buy pepper spray. This device is small enough to keep in the console, and it can easily inhibit potential attackers.

Even the most intelligent pets can overreact from time to time and brutally attack their masters. Although dog attacks might be the most common, many people who own chimps or monkeys now have plenty of reason for concern.

After Charla Nash was attacked by her friend's 200-pound pet chimpanzee, which went crazy after the owner asked Nash to help get it back in the house, she ended up horribly disfigured. Nash recently received a full-fledged face transplant at Brigham and Women's Hospital, which gave her new lips, as well as the ability to speak and smell,WCVB TV reports. This was actually the third full face transplant in the UnitedStates, and she received new skin, underlying muscles, blood vessels, nerves and a hard palate.

Those who are trying to improve their personal safety might want to buy pepper spray. These devices can cause extreme irritation in the eyes and easily inhibit an animal that behaves wildly, practically preventing the possibility of a life-changing attack. Even if a neighbor or friend's pet seems friendly, there's no reason not to come prepared with the proper just-in-case safety tools.

Unfortunately, no matter how safe people think they are in their own homes, they are still just as susceptible to human cruelty. Although there are all sorts of home security options and fancy high-tech alarms on the market, sometimes it simply comes down to self-defense.

According to Boston.com, a woman from Lowell was recently hospitalized after a brutal attack by a burglar in her own home. Police responded to a call at the woman's home on Bunker Hill shortly after 8 a.m. and found her bleeding from lacerations to the head and face.

Apparently, the woman was on the phone when she noticed a hole in the first floor window screen. When she began to search the house, the attacker snuck up from behind and slashed her with some sort of weapon before fleeing.

Those who are trying to improve their personal safety might want to buy pepper spray. When there simply isn't enough time to call the police, it's best to have a device for self-defense on hand just in case.

Many stereotypes dictate that men are most often associated with attacks against women. However, specific attacks prove that the stereotypes don't always apply, and handicapped individuals can be even more vulnerable.

According to the Harlow Star, a woman with multiple sclerosis from Essex, England, was recently attacked by a woman with a kitchen knife. The female attacker, Emily Hardiment, was described as behaving like a crazy woman when she appeared at the home of Trudy Lee with a knife and a rolling pin. Miss Lee received a cut on her hand, while her son suffered a potentially life-threatening stab wound to the side of his body.

Hardiment was found guilty at the Chelmsford Crown Court of wounding Miss Lee's son with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assaulting Miss Lee and causing bodily harm, as well as having an offensive weapon and causing criminal damage.

Those looking for ways to improve personal safety might want to purchase pepper spray. Pepper spray can significantly reduce the odds that an attacker will inflict real harm and can often make the difference between a life or death situation.

More young adults in Las Vegas buying pepper spray
13 September 2011 15:09:00

The still present snow caps in high elevations in Montana have caused wildlife like bears and mountain lions to seek refuge closer to residential areas, according to KAJ18 news.

The news outlet spoke with Fish Wildlife and Parks (FWP) officials in Fortine, Montana, who have seen an increasing number of both species coming into the valley.

According to reports, one grizzly bear was euthanized and another nine bears have been removed from the valley in recent months. Mountain lions have also been seen and officials say it's common to see them in places where deer tend to roam.

With the current chain of events, officials urge residents to look into purchasing animal repellent or pepper spray as a means to ward of uninvited guests. One FWP officer said, "You don't have to determine what species of bear it is and how you have to act to that species if it's Grizzly versus Black Bear, or if it's a lion. Pepper spray works pretty well on just about everything."

Pepper spray in an effective manner to protect your personal safety should you come face to face with a predator. Make sure you take off the safety cap when using it and spray it at a 45-degree angle so the animal will run into the cloud.

North Carolina woman assaulted by two robbers
31 March 2011 14:34:38

Caption: North Carolina woman assaulted by two robbers

Man arrested after machete attack
28 March 2011 14:41:28

Attempted abductions raise alert in Nevada