Is protecting your family on your list of New Year's resolutions?

The average North American family spends $25 per month on home security system monitoring. Some of us spend a little more on monthly gym fees and most modern cars are sold with pre-installed alarm systems. How will you keep your family safe in 2008?

What's your personal security budget for 2008?

Don't worry -it won't take 10 years in a dojo training to break wooden boards with your head to know how to defend yourself. Some simple but powerful steps are all it takes to enhance your safety profile.

The first step is to develop your awareness skills by assessing your environment and surroundings:

• After entering a room or building, are you aware of the locations of all the doors, windows and exits?
• When walking down a street are you aware of upcoming alleys on either side of the block?
• Are you aware of people in front of and behind you? For example, how many people are standing on the street corner 30 feet ahead of you?

StreetView

Last month The New York Times listed ‘marijuana mansions' as one of the newer crime trends noted in 2007. According to a law enforcement agency in San Bernardino County, marijuana farmers prefer setting up shop in newer developments in the ‘burbs versus rural towns because they get more square footage for their dollars, and busy neighbors barely notice each other.

''In these communities, both the husband and wife work; they're busy coming and going,'' Lt. Greg Garland told the New York Times Magazine. ''One man we spoke to lived next to a grower for a year and wasn't even sure what color the guy's car was.''

Have we become too busy to notice when criminals move into our own neighborhoods? Do you know who your neighbor is? Is he a Tony Soprano wannabe?

We've become so wrapped up in our routines of work, taking the kids to soccer practice, and going to the shopping mall that we've lost touch with our own communities. DO your part and keep tabs on your neighborhood. Hold block parties in the summer, go for walks and say hello to your neighbors. Get to know them. Take your blinders off and don't let yourself - or your - children get caught in a crossfire.

>confront< Tip

 

Avoid walking directly past alleys as you present an easy target to potential assailants.

Next time you're about to pass an alley, walk towards the curb, which will increase the distance an attacker needs to bridge to get to you.

This also increases the time you would have to respond to an attack, and makes you less of a mark as you are stepping closer to streetlights.

 

MyConfront

Was it a heated argument with a close friend? Did a co-worker get on your nerves? Did a physical encounter with a stranger on the street leave you with a black eye and a bruised ego or send you to the hospital?

Email us what happened - and don't leave out a single detail. We'll share your Confrontation in our next issue, break down what happened step by step and discuss some effective options you can safely use in the future.

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When your gut tells you you're about to be attacked, what do you do? Talk fast? Run? Throw a punch?

The Rituals of the Urban Warrior Volume 1 Street Combat DVD will arm you with brutally effective physical and psychological skills for real confrontations, including how to defend yourself against larger opponents. Watch the trailer now