| Summary • Investing in a personal safety device or app can get you out of dangerous situations and potentially save your life. • Personal safety devices are alarms that can be worn on your person or attached to your key chain. You can also install personal safety alarm apps on your phone. • Choosing the right personal safety device or app will depend on your regular activities, the locations you visit, and the features that will make you feel the safest. |
Have you ever thought about what you would do in an unsafe, dangerous, or violent situation?
One in every six women in the U.S. have been a victim of stalking, and 1.9 million are physically assaulted each year.
Whether it’s at a party, walking home alone, or traveling solo, things could very quickly go wrong. The best way to avoid this is to invest in a personal safety alarm.
A personal alarm can get you the help you need in a potentially dangerous situation, making it an essential investment for your safety.
In this article, we’ll look at what personal alarms are and why they’re effective… so you can rest assured knowing you’re safe everywhere you go.
What is a Personal Safety Alarm?
Traditionally, personal alarms are small portable devices that emit a loud sound when activated. They tend to be battery-operated and have a simple activation mechanism that involves either pushing a button or pulling a pin.
However, personal safety apps are the new generation of personal safety alarms.
Whichever option you choose, a personal safety alarm can be an effective way to escape danger, and even save your life.
How Do Personal Safety Alarms Work?
As explained above, there are two different types of personal alarms to choose from, each with its own unique features:
Physical alarm
A physical safety alarm is usually worn on your person, like on a lanyard around your neck or attached to a key ring.
Many personal safety alarms also come with a flashing strobe light. If you activate the device, a continuous alarm sound and strobe light will be triggered. This loud noise and flashing light is intended to alert people nearby that you are in trouble.
The loud alarm is also intended to deter attackers, as you’ll be drawing attention to your situation.
App alarms
While other self-defense tools like pepper spray and emergency alarms are great, many of them can’t dial 911 or your emergency contacts like an app can.
Yes, physical alarms will likely draw attention to your situation and deter attackers, but app alarms go one step further.
Take an app like Aster for example. It turns your mobile phone into a personal safety device you can activate anytime. And, because you’re always carrying your smartphone, you have a safety alarm with you 24/7.
As long as your phone has battery life, you can use your app safety alarm to contact emergency services without having to make the call yourself. The app can also notify family members or loved ones if you’re in danger.
Most app alarms will be able to send your live GPS location to 911 and your emergency contacts so that you can get help wherever you are.
Other Reasons Why You Need a Personal Safety Alarm
Aside from deterring a physical attack or getting out of dangerous circumstances, there are some other situations when a personal alarm may come in handy:
- Dangerous animals: If you’re out exploring the great outdoors and you come across a dangerous animal heading your way, a loud alarm may be enough to deter them.
- Medical emergencies: A personal safety app can connect you to 911 if you have a medical emergency. Plus, a physical alarm can draw attention and get someone to call 911 for you.
- When you’re just feeling nervous: We’ve included a feature on the Aster app that allows you to hold a button if you’re feeling slightly nervous in any situation. If you release the button, emergency services are alerted to your location. If you cancel the button once you feel safe again, no one will be notified.
How to Choose the Best Personal Safety Alarm for You
The best personal safety alarms are the ones that suit you and your needs. What works for others may not be the right option for you.
When it comes to choosing between buying a personal safety device or purchasing an app subscription, here’s what you should consider:
Your lifestyle
If you’re someone who’s out and about a lot, having a safety alarm attached to your key ring can help bring you peace of mind.
But you may also want to consider an app as it will share your live location with your loved ones and emergency services when activated.
Your usual locations
When you’re out walking alone, does your route include potentially unsafe neighborhoods? When you visit the gym, is the parking lot poorly lit or far away?
These may be unpleasant things to think about, but it’s important to picture yourself in situations where you’d feel unsafe and imagine what kind of device would be most useful in these circumstances.
Your regular activities
If you’re often doing things that require your hands to be free, such as carrying shopping bags or walking your furry friend, a portable device that you wear on your person may be helpful.
On the other hand, if you love jogging or taking solo walks, carrying a phone with a safety app installed on it shouldn’t get in the way of what you’re doing.
Features
Is simply alerting people nearby that you’re in trouble enough? Or do you want to ensure you can contact 911 and your emergency contacts anytime, at the touch of a button?
Physical alarms rely on loud sounds and flashing lights, but a personal safety app can ensure you get help exactly when and where you need it.
What feels safest to you
Both types of alarms will certainly contribute to your safety no matter where you are or what you’re up to.
Your ultimate decision hinges on the features that make you feel most safe.
The app or device you choose should be based on your personal preferences and how you choose to take charge of your own safety — not on what works for someone else.
Why Aster is the Only Personal Safety Alarm You Need
With a simple swipe on your home screen, Aster allows you to alert 911 and your emergency contacts in a dangerous situation.
When you first download it you’ll be able to select emergency contacts who will be notified if you trigger the app.
Plus, before you embark on your next fun activity, you can preload information about where you’ll be and what people should know in case of an emergency.
If you activate the app:
- Emergency services will be notified without you making a phone call. Your physical location will be shared with responders.
- Your emergency contacts — we call them your followers — will be alerted that you are in danger, and they will also receive your live location.
- Your preprogrammed information about your whereabouts will be shared with your followers.
All these features have been designed with you and your personal safety in mind.
Don’t become a statistic; invest in the Aster app today. You can download Aster by visiting the Apple App Store or Google Play Store (Coming Soon). You can also visit our website to learn more about the app.
