Imagine this: it is late at night, and you’re walking home or to your car or bus stop after a night out with friends. You feel confident about the safety of what you’re doing: it is a safe area, and there are usually lots of people around. Tonight, however, the streets are empty, and it is darker than usual. You notice a few streetlights are not working, and make a mental note to call the city tomorrow morning. As you pass a dark alley, you notice a large man emerging from the shadows. What do you do?
This, unfortunately, is a far more common scenario than many people wish to admit. And the answer to the question – “what do you do?” really depends on how prepared you are.
If you’re the type of person who hopes for the best but plans for the worst, you likely have a panic alarm within reach, just incase.
If a scenario like the above occurs, and the person who stepped out of the shadows happens to try to attack you, then having a panic alarm would be the best thing you may have done to save yourself. In such a situation, you pull out the panic alarm, pull the cord on it, causing it to emit its ear piercing shrill. This usually catches your would-be attacker off guard. It is during this split moment of “surprise” that you use to run away to a well-lit area or to a place where there are people. Your would-be attacker will most probably, at this point, scurry away into darkness, as the commotion caused by the screaming alarm, your running into a well lit area will be too attention grabbing for him or her to attempt anything further on you. So in a case like this, all it took was that little panic alarm to help save you from a potentially dangerous or fatal situation!
If you often find yourself walking in dangerous or isolated areas during the day, in dark areas in the evening, or are planning a trip abroad for study, work, or pleasure, a panic alarm is a smart investment that might just save your life. A panic alarm is also a great gift for a concerned parent, spouse or friend: it will give peace-of-mind that your loved one is prepared should they confront potentially dangerous situations.
Many panic alarms tend to be miniature in size. Usually small enough to fit on a key chain or belt. They tend to have loudness ratings of 90db to 140db. Many are activated via a pull-cord mechanism. Others have both a pull cord and a panic button.
Pull cords are popular because once the cord pin is pulled out, the alarm cannot be turned off without retrieving the pin and plugging it back into the alarm. Such simplicity has been so effective that in the USA, panic alarms are a MUST with students on and off campus, social workers, sales people and anyone who tends to find themselves walking or working alone as part of their daily routines.
Do you have an experience using a panic alarm? Do you have a friend or relative who does? How did it help?
