There are many different types of alarms out there. Choosing the right alarm can sometimes be tricky. Read on for suggestions and tips on how to obtain the right alarm for you.

The Objective of a Personal Safety Alarm

The objective of a Personal Safety Alarm is to shock and disorientate an attacker, giving you vital seconds to get away. They are not designed to immobilize or scare off the attacker. Personal alarms are not primarily used to attract the attention of passers by; there may not actually be anyone within earshot. They also do not necessarily encourage people to help.

Key Features:

The most significant element of an alarm is the sound it emits. This sound needs to be as loud and as high-pitched as possible. Ideally, it also needs to be dissimilar to those usually heard such as automobile alarms, police sirens, etc. Most experts concur; the most successful sound is constant shriek and over 130 decibels, not a sound we usually hear; thus making the alarm better able to shock and disorientate

A personal alarm needs to be simple to carry, but it is important to take into account whether a very lightweight and small alarm will be as loud as you need it to be (and whether it will get lost at the bottom of your bag). Some small alarms can, in spite of everything, be very loud, although the sound may not last for very long. They can be easier to handle for some people. The best compromise is in an alarm that can fit without difficulty into the palm of your hand, but is still very loud (even if perhaps it is not as small and dainty as you would like).

Ease of use also is also a consideration: how would you operate the alarm in an urgent situation? There are numerous different ways to activate different types of alarms, including push caps, push buttons and pull out pins. How awkward is it to locate the button and activate it? Do you have problems using your hands or fingers? If so, perhaps you might need to use both hands. As an alternative, are you able to operate it purely by pushing it against something else?

Important:

Remember, a personal safety alarm should be just one part of your personal safety strategy. There are many other ways you can help yourself avoid violence and aggression. Once you have set off your alarm, leave the situation as rapidly as you can, moving to a busy spot if possible. There is no need to wait and make sure that your alarm has had the desired effect. Just go.