Michigan, along with Wisconsin, is one state that has very specific laws regarding civilian use of pepper spray. According to the State of Michigan website, carrying pepper spray is legal as long as it meets one of the following conditions:

• The entire pepper spray formula is less than 35 grams (approximately 1.2 ounces), including orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile (CS gas) and other inert ingredients.
• The pepper spray solution contains no more than 10% oleoresin capsicum (pepper spray) and is used only to protect yourself or your property in a situation that would justify using physical force.

Michigan imposes two other important restrictions:

• In Michigan, according the Attorney General, it is illegal for civilians to carry tear gas and mace (CN gas).
• Mixtures of CN and CS gases are illegal, but tear gasses that contain only CS gas are permitted.
• Although pepper spray can be purchased online, it is illegal to sell pepper spray to a minor.

If you live in Michigan, Safety Girl offers four great Mace Pepper Sprays. Although these pepper sprays are not as strong as some other pepper spray formulas, they are still effective when defending yourself against an attacker. The biggest difference between pepper spray users will notice is that the length of the pepper spray effects are shortened slightly.

The Mace Double-Action Personal Spray uses a formulation of tear (CS) gas to cause profuse tearing, burning sensation, and disorientation. The gas contains ultraviolet dye to invisibly mark an attacker. The Mace Double-Action Pocket Spray, is slightly smaller and will fit easily in a pocket or purse.

The Mace PepperGard Personal Spray contains an OC Pepper formula that is legal in Michigan. This spray also contains ultraviolet dye to invisibly mark an attacker. The Mace PepperGard Pocket Spray model is slightly smaller and may be a more convenient size for some users.

Safety Girl is the best place to shop online for Michigan Pepper sprays. With prices as low as $9.99 per container, these pepper sprays will keep you protected, save you money, and help you adhere to Michigan laws.

Safety Girl’s new line of tactical pens are the smallest and mightiest impact weapons on the market. Tactical pens are made of aircraft-grade aluminum, so they are incredibly light but also strong enough to use for self-defense. The ink cartridges in the pens are replaceable, too, so you’ll never need to buy another pen!

Safety Girl is proud to offer three types of tactical pens from Smith and Wesson and two types of pens from Schrade. Smith and Wesson is a globally recognized manufacturer of firearms for military and police personnel as well as hunters and gun collectors. Schrade has a long history of manufacturing the finest pocketknives on the market. You can’t go wrong with an impact weapon from either of these trustworthy brands.

The Smith and Wesson Tactical Pen features a black ink ballpoint pen at one end and a point at the other for serious self-defense. This great pen is available in black, blue, or gold from Safety Girl for a low price of just $27.79.

The Smith and Wesson Military and Police Tactical Pen features a pull-cap pen with black ink and a black pocket clip. The pen’s impact weapon components include a snap off top for easy access with no twisting required. This pen is available in black, dark green, green, or gray from Safety Girl for just $27.79.

The Smith and Wesson Tactical Pen 2 is the ultimate self-defense impact weapon. Featuring six uses in one instrument—a pen, fire starter, kubotan, self-defense tool, window breaker, and keychain—you’ll keep yourself safe in any crisis, self-defense, or emergency situation with this pen. This great tactical pen is available in black, gray, orange, or silver from Safety Girl for just $29.59.

The Schrade Tactical Pen features a ballpoint pen with two self-defense tools. One end of the device is pointed and the other end is blunt, allowing you inflict both pain and control on any attacker. This pen is available in black, gray, or pink from Safety Girl for only $27.79.

The Schrade Tactical 3-in-1 Fountain Pen will be the last pen you every buy. This great tactical pen functions as a self-defense weapon, fountain pen, or roller ball pen so you can vary your writing style and defend yourself when necessary. This pen is available in black, brown, or silver from Safety Girl for a low price of $29.75.

Owning a good flashlight is an essential part of staying safe, whether you are at home, in your car, or around town. Criminals and attackers love low-lit areas where they can easily hide, awaiting their next victim. Stay well lit with these great flashlights from Safety Girl.

Safety Girl has several small but powerful flashlights that can fit into your pocket or purse. The Pink Flashlight by Streamlight, for example, is so small that it can attach to your keychain! This powerful little light is waterproof and features 100,000-hour LED bulb with batteries included. Best of all, for each flashlight purchased, Streamlight will donate $1.00 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The Pink Maglite Flashlight is another ultra-compact but ultra-powerful flashlight. Manufactured with the same attention to detail as full-size Maglites, this little pink flashlight is perfect for a woman’s pocket or purse. The flashlight includes an adjustable beam, is water and shock resistant, and includes a keychain attachment. For each purchase, Maglite will donate a portion of the proceeds to Breast Cancer Research.

Remember those penlight flashlights that never really worked that well? Streamlight has taken the concept and convenience of the penlight and created an excellent, high-intensity flashlight. The Streamlight Stylus Penlight features a high-intensity LED bulb that can last for 100,000 hours, momentary blink and constant “on” modes, and a pocket clip for easy access. The Streamlight Stylus Penlight is tough, durable, safety rated, and waterproof, so it’s perfect for any task, whether you use it to read a book, inspect difficult-to-see places, or participate in a crime scene investigation. This great penlight is serialized for easy identification and can be ordered in black, gold, silver, red, or blue. Order yours today at Safety Girl’s website for just $13.50!

Do you want to get started with Pepper Spray but need some practice? Safety Girl is pleased to offer unique Pepper Spray Kits that allow you to practice using Pepper Spray and become familiar with the products so you are truly prepared for an emergency situation. Check out some of the great Pepper Spray Kits available at Safety Girl’s online store.

The Safety Girl Pepper Spray Kit is a great way to get started using pepper spray and protect yourself at home, in your car, and while you’re out and about. To protect yourself at home, the kit includes a Sabre Red Home Defense Pepper Spray Fogger. To stay protected in the car, the kit includes the Mace Triple Action Police Pepper Spray. The kit also includes smaller canisters of pepper spray—the Lipstick pepper Spray and Sabre Pocket Self Defense Spray—that you can keep in your pocket or purse. For practice, the kit includes the Sabre Combo Keychain Self Defense Spray with an extra practice canister and two Pepper Spray Targets. Purchasing all these items as a kit saves you time and money and also allows you extra practice opportunities. This great kit is available at Safety Girl’s website for just $71.99.

Looking for a smaller kit that still offers practice opportunities? The Cold Steel Inferno Pepper Spray Kit for the Pen Unit includes one active pepper spray unit, two practice pepper sprays, and two targets all for just $21.99. Similar kits are also available for Cold Steel’s Key Chain Pepper Spray, 1.3-ounce Pepper Spray Kit, and 2.5-ounce Pepper Spray Kits at Safety Girl’s website.

Getting started with pepper spray has never been safer or easier! Order one of these great kits at Safety Girl’s online store today!

New Year’s Eve is one of the world’s biggest celebrations. Between the parties, alcohol, and traveling, New Year’s Eve festivities make it all too easy for something to go wrong. Have a great time this year while staying safe with a few simple tips.

If you’re going out:

• Dress appropriately. You might be tempted to wear your stiletto heels, mini skirt or short dress, and leave your jacket at home, but if you live in a cold climate, that may not be safe. What if you get stranded on the side of the road or are suddenly in a situation where you’re vulnerable to an attacker? Being warm and able to move quickly and safely is always more important than wearing those high heeled shoes and strapless dress. If you’re looking for style, pull on a pair of nice (flat) boots and wear a long coat over your New Year’s Eve outfit.
• Appoint a designated driver. Plan ahead for your evening out by selecting a trusted friend to be a designated driver before you start drinking. Even if you think you’re OK to drive, always use your designated driver. Never drive if you have been drinking.

If you’re hosting a party:

• Collect your guests’ keys at the door. Make it clear to your guests that you don’t want them driving if they have been drinking. Collect everyone’s keys when they arrive and only give them back to your guests if they have either sobered up or have not been drinking at your house.
• Select a taxi service or plan for house guests. For guests who have been drinking, call a taxi to take them home or allow them to stay overnight at your house. This takes a little extra effort, but people’s lives could be at stake.

If you’re traveling:

• Have a winter survival kit in your car. New Year’s Eve is also a time when big winter storms hit across the United States. Be prepared for severe weather with a good ice scraper and brush, a flashlight, a small snow shovel, winter-grade windshield washing solution, jumper cables, an extra blanket, and anything else you may need in the event of severe weather.
• Keep your home safe. Break-ins can be common during the holiday season, so keep your home safe by installing a home alarm system and motion sensor lights, checking the batteries in your smoke alarms, and parking your car in the garage.

New Year’s Eve is just around the corner, and you may be thinking about making a New Year’s resolution. Did you know that most people don’t keep their New Year’s resolutions? Although we may have the best intentions, we often don’t make resolutions we can keep. Safety Girl is here to help with these simple steps for success this New Year’s.

Create a reasonable resolution

• Choose one. Often we make the mistake of setting several goals. Choosing only one increases your chance of success and helps you stay focused.
• Make it meaningful. You’re most likely to stay committed to a goal that you really want to achieve for yourself. If your goal is to lose weight, for example, ask yourself if you really want to lose weight. If you’re only making your resolution to lose weight to please someone else—a spouse, partner, or significant other—you’re less likely to succeed.
• Write it down and share it. Writing down your goal and sharing it with a trusted friend or family member will help you feel accountable. Write your goal down in a notebook or journal, or even post it on the refrigerator door if it will help you stick to it. If you know you’ll need help achieving your goal, ask a family member or friend to help you stay motivated.

Make a plan

• Divide your resolution into baby steps. To increase your chances of success, outline smaller steps to help your achieve your big resolution. If you want to lose 20 pounds, for example, create a weekly diet and exercise plan that will help you lose 5 pounds each month.
• Think long-term. Think about your resolution as a lifestyle change or long-term commitment instead of one particular achievement. If you want to save money, make sure you are ready to commit to a new, long-term budgeting style. If you only save money for a few months and then go back to your old habits, you’re likely to spend the money you have saved.
• Expect to make mistakes and don’t let them get you down. Everyone makes mistakes, especially when working towards a challenging goal. If you get off track on your way to achieving your resolution, analyze your behaviors or actions and update your success plan accordingly.

You’ve finished your holiday shopping, wrapped your gifts, baked your Christmas cookies, and now it’s time for a family get-together. Many of us look forward to seeing family on the holidays, but the happiness can quickly dissolve if family drama ensues.

Safety Girl is at your side with a few tips for a stress-free holiday season.

Host a better dinner or party. Make bringing family members and friends together for Christmas dinner tension-free:

• Mix friends and family. Guests are more likely to act with kindness and civility when they are unfamiliar with some of the other guests. If you know friends who are staying in town for the holidays and don’t have anywhere to go, invite them to your party. Not only will they act as buffers for any difficult family members, but they also might be overjoyed to be invited to celebrate with your family.
• Rely on the funny guy (or girl). Everyone’s family has a joker, so rely on him or her to break the ice with a joke or humorous comment. A little bit of laughter will make everyone feel more at ease.
• Smile. It’s the holiday season, after all. Numerous studies have shown that smiling, whether you’re happy or not, can make you feel happier and less anxious. Studies have also shown that smiling creates a positive and comforting effect for those around you.

Say the right thing. Some topics just shouldn’t be up for discussion at a Christmas party. If you know what sets your mother-in-law off, for example, don’t have that conversation. Touchy subjects usually include, tense sibling relationships, other family members’ relationship problems (including divorce and separation), money, religion, politics, and past arguments.

Take a break. Whether you’re a house guest or if you’re hosting, it’s important to take time for yourself, whether you feel like you need it or not. If you need a break, go in the other room and call a friend, take a walk or jog, listen to music, or even offer to run to the grocery store. When you return, you’ll feel ready to engage with your family 100%.

With the holiday season here and Christmas less than two weeks away, malls and shopping centers are busier than ever. Although safety should be your primary concern at all times, this time of year is the perfect time to take a few extra moments to think about your personal safety when shopping.

Here’s a list of simple tips to stay safe during the last two weeks of the holiday season:

• Shop during daylight hours. Crimes are more likely to happen in the evenings or at night, so shop during the day when possible. Crimes against women are also more likely to happen to women who are alone, so if you absolutely must shop at night, shop with a family member or friend.
• Dress casually. Minimizing the amount of attention you draw to yourself maximizes your safety. By dressing conspicuously, wearing fancy clothing and expensive jewelry, you are more likely to be the victim of an attack. When you’re shopping this holiday season, be sure to leave expensive jewelry at home. Also be sure to wear comfortable shoes, so you can run for help, if needed, without tripping over your stilettos.
• Don’t carry a purse if you don’t have to. The best way to avoid having your purse stolen is to leave it at home. If you can fit your driver’s license, credit cards, and other necessary belongings in your pants pocket, you’ll minimize your risk of theft. If you have to carry a purse, the best type to carry is a bag with a long shoulder strip that can fit across your body, as these are more difficult for muggers to steal.
• Don’t use cash. The safest way to pay for holiday purchases is with a credit card. Cash can be easily stolen, and, in case of fraud, credit cards are the easiest form of payment to dispute. If you must carry cash, only take what you need and try to be discreet when paying.
• Be aware of your surroundings. If you see something suspicious, alert a mall security guard. If you feel uncomfortable walking to your car, don’t be afraid to ask the security guard to escort you to your vehicle.

Safety Girl’s Pink Roadside Emergency Tool Kit from Apollo is an essential item for any woman who traveling by car this holiday season. This Roadside Emergency Kit contains everything you would ever need if you have car trouble packed into a compact, pink and black, soft-sided bag. Don’t leave home for the holidays without one!

The Pink Roadside Emergency Tool Kit contains everything you need in the event of car trouble. To remedy a dead battery, for example, the tool kit contains seven-foot booster cables. If you’re worried about tire pressure, the kit contains a tire gauge. The tool kit includes a vast assortment of tools, including an eight-inch adjustable wrench, voltage tester, air compressor, ratcheting bit driver and 20 drill bits, wire brush, electrical tape, and slip joint pliers. If you need to call for help, the kit includes a help flag. Best of all, if you make a mess and want to clean it up, the kit includes a mini car vacuum to keep your car free of debris.

This Pink Roadside Emergency Tool Kit from Apollo will help keep any woman safe this holiday season. The kit also makes a great gift for any woman you know who travels, whether she is a college student, busy working professional, or a mom traveling with kids. This tool kit is available at Safety Girl’s website for a low price of just $59.99, a savings of $12 off the list price. Discounts are also available for purchasing two or more kits!

Not only will the Pink Roadside Emergency Tool Kit keep you and women you love safe, but for every purchase of one of these tool kits, Apollo will donate a percentage of the proceeds to breast cancer research, so you can stay safe and support a great cause.

The topic of pepper spray or mace strength is often a confusing and misinterpreted subject. There are two common inaccurate measures of pepper spray strength and one true indicator of strength.

The one correct indicator of pepper spray potency, as recognized by the EPA & US Federal Government, is Major Capsaicinoids (MC). MC represents the strength of the entire formulation within your pepper spray. Typical sprays range from 0.18 to 1.33% MC. The higher the MC of the pepper spray the greater the potency. Sprays with higher MC are more effective as well. A good example, Gasoline, is typically 87, 89 or 91 Octane. The higher the gasoline’s octane rating, the greater the fuels performance. Proof, another example, is the measure of liquor strength. The higher the proof, the stronger the liquor.

Bear Attack Deterrent Sprays measure between 1.0% and 2.0% Major Capsaicinoids.

The two inaccurate measures of pepper spray strength are Oleoresin Capsicum percentages (OC%) & Scoville Heat Units (SHUs). Pepper sprays contains anywhere from 2-10% OC, but OC% only measures the amount of raw pepper or Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) within the pepper spray formulation. The OC% does not take into account the actual potency of that OC. SHUs are an inaccurate measure because they only measure the strength of the previously mentioned raw OC, which is then diluted from 90 to 98% because OC only measures between 2-10% of the formulation. Here is an example of how SHU can be misleading: a 5.3 Million SHU spray with 2% OC measures only 0.71% MC. while a 2 Million SHU spray with 10% OC measures 1.33% MC. Which spray is more potent? The 1.33 MC pepper spray is nearly twice the strength.

So when purchasing pepper spray, remember major capsaicinoids equals strength!