[Vermonter]

I know some older liberal ladies who live alone but don't like guns.

So I was recommending pepper spray, but I'm wondering about the effects of chemical fire extinguishers. Seems like that's some nasty stuff.

[Al Thompson]

Some years back, I looked at the sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) fire extinguishers for SD. Not much data for that purpose, but several medical types thought that a facefull would be nasty if inhaled - and allow me time to bonk the bad guy in the bean with the empty extinguisher. I'd go with pepper spray for the ladies.

MSDS link:

http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927258

[hso]

It's just bicarb, sodium or potassium. You use it to settle heartburn as well as put out the draperies.

Get "Bear Guard" for them and tell them that it's for nasty dogs that poop on their yard as well as other SOBs.

[Vermonter]

Oh they'd never hurt a poor doggie for pooping in the yard :)

But for bad guys it'd be ok. Even old hippies can dig that :p

[Zero_DgZ]

Well, the pepper spray has the advantage of being portable, as well as purpose designed to ruin someone's day. Depending on the composition on the fire extinguisher (foam, bicarb, &c...) it's either inert or pointedly inert, and your only advantage of the extiguisher is surprise, volume of fire (so to speak), and the resultant opening to whang the target upside the head with it.

If I had nothing and were placed in a Jackie-Chan-eque situation I'd grab an extinguisher if I could. But given the choice here I'd take the pepper spray.

Given the choice not here I'd take a gun, a short polearm, or a large dog. But that's beside the point.

[RyanM]

Someone has played too much Deus Ex. :)

Well, if I had to choose between just a fire extinguisher or just pepper spray I'd go for the extinguisher because it puts out fire too. But having both would be better.

[Greg Dunn]

pepper spray doesn't work on everyone, I have been exposed enough to it that it doesn't bother me anymore.

So pepper spray in some cases will just get the perp more angry especially psychotics and drug abusers.

[Sunray]

A kitchen size CO2 extinguisher or a can of hairspray would be better for a little old lady. A blast of CO2 or hairspray(it has lacquer in it) in the face would put anyone off. Easier for grandma to use.

[Zero_DgZ]

Sheesh, if we're getting into this silliness we may as well recommend a can of starting fluid and a Zippo.