Personal Attack Alarms

In the USA, consumers spend billions of dollars each year on one form of security or another, whether it be house alarms, car alarms or surveillance systems to name but a few. Yet many neglect to consider their personal safety when out and about. And the fact of the matter is that this is something that can be enhanced and improved for a very minimal price, by comparison.

Personal attack alarms are now carried by millions of women worldwide. Of course they will not prevent an attack. Of course they cannot keep you absolutely safe from everything. But with a worryingly high number of street attacks, whether sexual in nature or geared towards the theft of personal belongings, means that a growing number of people simply do not feel safe on the streets. This applies particularly to women and particularly at night.

When we talk of 'personal attack alarms,' there's a tendency to believe that you could be looking at incredibly expensive and hi tech systems. However, this is not true. Bear in mind that a personal attack alarm, in its simplest form, is designed purely to draw attention upon yourself (by a means of loud noises) if you find yourself threatened or in any form of danger. So it's pretty much a handheld, pocket sized noise maker! Of course, this is in its most basic form, as previously mentioned. While many colleges and women's organisations offer personal attack alarms free of charge to women, even purchasing them is not necessarily bank breaking.

You can pick up a basic personal attack alarm for as little as $5. This is one that attaches to a key ring, for example and would ordinarily be activated by tugging with quite some force on a string. The sound this usually incites is around 120 decibels, significantly shocking enough to draw attention to yourself and also to take any attacker or threat by surprise.

However, there are also more 'advanced' systems available, up into the hundreds of dollars. Many of these often take the form of "personal safety kits," and include items such as mace spray. Before making a purchase like that it is worth checking out the legality of carrying such sprays on your person in your local area.

When shopping for them, it is worth noting that those with the louder sounds (upwards of 130 decibels ideally) and those with continuous high pitched sounds will be more likely to leave an attacker or assailant disorientated and surprised, giving you the opportunity to escape a situation of danger. Look out for those that are easy to carry around. This means that they should be small enough to fit into a pocket and perhaps with attachments to be attached either to your person or clothing or to your keys etc. Carry your personal attack alarm in a place you can access it easily. And make sure that the alarm is easily activated (not so easily that you could accidentally set it off on the bus though) and ensure you have practiced setting it off and are able with ease.

There are now attack alarms available powered by gas and by battery. Of course, whatever is powering yours, ensure it is always kept to capacity! And if you want more than just a loud sound, look out for alarms with additional features such as bright UV lights or foul odours that leave an identifiable smell on the attacker.

And don't be mistaken in thinking that it is only women or the elderly who would purchase and make use of personal attack alarms. Crimes against young men under the age of 25 are on the increase and no matter who you are, if you are attacked by a group of people, your chances of coming off better than they do would be slim!

Be cautious. It doesn't cost much to do so.