[QUOTE=the heavy heavy]
when i had them strapped to my first jet we treated them with the upmost respect. they were made safe with pins, like gear pins, that were removed by the groundcrew in a designated arming area. and i seem to remember that we didn't arm them electrically till we were airborne (was 8 years ago so i may be confused). I think the issue is not having defensive aids but how they are armed and safed.
Quite right, and it's the same nowadays, flares are not the kind of things you want pointing at your own aircraft / refuellers / caterers / baggage handlers / little pink body on external check. No matter how many safety checks you have, it still only takes one wiggly amp to put a salvo across the apron, not too bad when you are remotely parked, not so good if surrounded by aircraft!
If you are going to put flares on an aircraft, you've got to adhere to some fairly stringent safety checks.