Christmas in the air and so is "Army wife" pepper spray

Rose Guardian offers its military-wife themed pepper spray on Facebook under the caption, “The Wife Salutes You! Keep Her protected!” (via Facebook)

It’s the sort of Army pride that just makes you want to cry.

An Ohio self-defense company Rose Guardian has launched three patriotic new pepper-sprays just in time for Christmas, two that say “Army Wife” and one that says “Military Wife.”

The “Army wife” sprays, that feature either a pin-up or a woman in a camo cap, were inspired by the company’s growing market of women whose spouses are deployed overseas, Rose Guardian’s owner Carlos Crespo told Army Times.

“Their husbands are away, they’ve by themselves home alone and they’re looking to feel a little safer,” Crespo said.

Crespo said the company has tried to marry personal safety with fashion. The company also offers pepper sprays covered in rhinestones or messages that are pro-doctor, pro-firefighter or pro-LGBT.

Pepper spray sales get hot around Valentines Day, Mothers Day and the end of summer, when college students are headed to school. Christmas is a good time, too, Crespo said.

“It makes a great stocking stuffer, and people buy six, ten as many as 12 at a time,” he said. “It’s not a typical gift. Its something that shows you care and it makes a difference, not like a blouse or something that will go into a closet and never get used.”

The best kind of pepper spray is one that’s easy to use, access and see, said Mike Davis, co-owner of Safeguard Self-Defense, which sells through Pepper-Spray-Store.com. Davis recommends the color red because its highly visible.

Davis recommends buying a kit with instructions, if not getting training, for how to use pepper spray. Pepper Spray Store.com conveniently sells a kit with a harmless practice spray.

“The worst time to learn is when you need to use it,” he said. “Just like soldiers need training, you don’t just put a weapon in someone’s hand and they suddenly know how to use it.”