Hazard symbols and meanings

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Stun guns are close - proximity devices that require you to be next to the person attacking you. They use a painful shock to discourage further contact.

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Most stun guns use a rechargeable battery and don't use projectiles. You can use them as long as the battery still has some juice.

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In contrast, a stun gun is any electroshock weapon. This means that all TASER devices are stun guns—but not all stun guns are TASERs.

On the other hand, a TASER uses projectile prongs that attach to a target further away—up to 15 feet. The two prongs spread out when a TASER gun fires, allowing them to land on different body parts. This helps the TASER send electricity across a larger area. Ironically, a TASER's shape is more like a traditional firearm than a generic stun gun is.

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It's easy to find reliable stun guns, like the Vipertek VTS-989, for less than $30, while most of TASER's consumer-grade models, like the TASER Pulse, cost $400 or more. TASERs are also more expensive to use—replacement cartridges cost about $20 to $23, depending on if you buy a 10-pack or a 2-pack. Likewise, replacement batteries cost between $10 and $25, depending on your model.

TASER—in all caps—is a brand from Axon that helped popularize using electric shock weapons for self-defense. TASER's early popularity meant many people started using it as a generic term, like how dumpster became the de facto term for large trash bins.

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While a TASER device is just as painful as a normal stun gun, it's more effective at incapacitating muscle functions so an attacker can't move.

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The projectile prongs on TASERs make them ubiquitous among law enforcement agencies with police TASER devices offering more range than consumer models—up to 35 feet.

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However, do not assume gases and vapors are harmless because they lack odor -- odorless gases or vapors may also be extremely harmful. Other common-sense signs can warn of danger. For example, people running from or suddenly collapsing in a hazardous material area, visible signs of a leak, or gas clouds coming from a facility or vehicle all suggest the risk of a hazardous substance release. It is always best to be cautious.

There are several ways to recognize the warning signs of a hazardous substance release. The shapes of containers are often a clue that they may be storing hazardous substances. For example, large drum barrels or reinforced (e.g., ribbed) tanker cars are often used to transport and store chemicals or hazardous wastes. The federal government has a system for labeling containers used to store or transport hazardous substances that uses colors and symbols to designate potential hazards.

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There are four main differences between stun guns and tasers: branding, range, reusability, and price. TASERs are branded projectile weapons, while stun guns are more affordable and require close-range contact with an attacker.

Your budget is probably the biggest factor in buying a TASER or a stun gun, but both have strengths and weaknesses. Stun guns are more affordable and easier to reuse, while a TASER helps you keep your distance from violent attackers. Check out our review of the best stun guns to find the best fit for you and learn about stun gun laws.

The projectile nature of a TASER renders its wires and propellant unusable after one or two shots, depending on the model. Swapping out the TASER cartridge is easy, but it gives you fewer options when deterring an attack, and spare cartridges are expensive.

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