The recent murders of two Iowa female college students are putting a renewed focus on safety and boosting sales for some businesses that sell self-defense products.
Ernie Traugh is the owner of Cedar Valley Outfitters, a gun shop in Marion. He says over the last few weeks the most popular item he has seen parents buying is Mace, usually for their daughters.
Traugh says one problem with pepper spray is not everyone knows how it works and how to use it.
When sprayed into an attacker’s face, pepper spray can be very effective in allowing a person enough time to get away. But, Traugh warns Mace users to be careful not to spray it on themselves. Pepper spray can cause burning, intense eye pain, blindness, or a feeling of suffocation if inhaled.
