A Farmington woman has come up with a self-defense "Stun-band" that zaps assailants with tear gas. The device, worn on the wrist, comes in designer colors.

Debbie Cooley and her business partner, Farmington karate instructor Skip Carlsen, designed the Stun-Band when they decided that women waste too much time rummaging in their purse for self-defense items such as Mace.The Stun-band, which also comes in a model that straps around the palm of the hand, sprays a stream of tear gas up to 15 feet. The spray also covers the assailant in an ultraviolet dye visible to police black-light scanners for up to 24 hours.

Cooley and Carlsen sold 500 of the bands at a recent merchandising show in Las Vegas. She thinks the recent Los Angeles riots may have been a contributing factor.

The self-defense bracelets, which sell for $19.95, are available at stores selling police uniforms and equipment.

When she's not making the zap bands, Cooley designs doll clothes. - Elaine JarvikHome

neighborhood Choosing the neighborhood is the first consideration in buying a new home, according to Harvey Auger, president of PHH Homequity, a national relocation firm.

"With such a major investment, there's too much at stake to buy the right home in the wrong place," Auger says. He suggests asking these questions before making a final decision:

- Does the neighborhood conform to the community in price range, housing styles and lot size? Are other houses there well maintained, reflecting pride of ownership?

- How near are schools, office complexes, shopping centers and how accessible are main roads and major arteries?

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- Do the neighbors have children yours can play with?

- Are there any noise potentials, such as truck routes, factories, business districts or night clubs? - Associated PressThinking healthy For overweight women, the first step to a healthier life may be thinking healthier thoughts, notes the Nutri/System Health & Fitness Information Bureau.

In a study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, researchers from the Institute for Aerobics Research in Dallas, Texas, compared the food beliefs and attitudes of a group of overweight, inactive men and women and a group of normal-weight, active men and women. They found that more of the overweight, inactive subjects viewed healthy food as boring, difficult to find and time-consuming to consume than did their normal-weight, active counterparts.

"This study underscores the fact that for any weight-loss effort to be truly successful, it must focus on underlying attitudes and beliefs about food, as well as on eating and exercise behaviors," said Dr. Stuart Shapiro, Nutri/System's national medical director and chairman of the National Health Sciences Advisory Board.

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