If you're looking for something to make you feel more secure as you're out and about, maybe forgo the pepper spray and grab one of these personal alarms instead.
Inspired by the military, the SafeSound personal alarm uses ear-piercing sound (125db!) to deter attackers. Although it was originally created to protect women, parents everywhere are purchasing them for their children. They're also legal to carry everywhere -- even airplanes! -- unlike pepper spray and firearms. They require zero training or skill to operate; just pull the pin and they'll emit a shrill/terrifying sound for up to half an hour.
38 year old mom Emily Dansby was able to escape a man who attempted to abduct her from a parking lot by using her alarm.
"He told me 'Don't fight! You're coming with me!' as he tried to wrestle me towards his car...Since I was too scared to scream for help, I quickly reached for the alarm and pulled the pin. Immediately my SafeSound alarm just started screaming. I mean it was REALLY SCREAMING," she said. "He didn't know what to do! He froze for a second, then ran away like a bat out of hell! People heard the alarm and started yelling and running over to help."
Dansby said she bought four personal alarms for her children after the incident. "Now all my kids carry them on their backpacks to stay safe," she said.
If you'd like to check them out and even purchase one, you can find them at https://safesoundpersonalalarm.com/ -- but there are other brands too, if you want to weigh your options.
http://www.womenonguard.com/personal-alarms
https://www.sabrered.com/personal-alarms
Stay safe, my loves!