Using pepper spray can be an effective means of defending yourself if attacked.  However, pepper spray should not be used to discipline a child (or adult).

A mother in Florida is accused of spraying her 12-year old son when he was being, well, a child.  As a parent, I am disgusted by such stupidity and would have like to have seen the police pepper spray her because she didn’t answer their questions the right way. (story here)

This article reads like a checklist of  “what not to do as a parent.”

1. State good intentions for physical abuse (Check)
2. Put child in corner and demand he keep arms up for hours (Check)
3. Put child in closet for not complying with #2 (Check)
4. Use pepper spray against child for not complying with #3 (Check)

Using pepper spray is not a game, it’s serious business with harmful consequence.

It’s designed to temporary agitate a perpetrator to allow you time to get away (or control the situation for law enforcement).

If you carry pepper or some other type of personal defense spray, hopefully you’ve been trained or considered when it is appropriate to use it.

• DON’T use it just because a guy asks you out on a date
• DO use it if he attempts to physically assault you
• DON’T use it because your roommate won’t pick up her cloths
• DO use it if someone barges into your room/house
• DON’T use it because your significant other won’t take out the trash
• DO use it if someone attacks you while taking out the trash

While I’ve used a bit of humor in this article, abusing a child or a self defense spray is no laughing matter.

As with any weapon (and personal protection sprays are weapons) it’s important that you receive adequate training.  Just because I promote concealed carry of firearms, or carrying personal protection sprays, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get appropriate training.

So, the next time you consider using pepper spray or some other type of weapon, consider the situation.  Even better, consider the situations you would use pepper spray before the situation happens.