Personal Alarms

Personal Alarms Warn off Potential Attackers
and Alert Others to Your Need for Help

Personal alarms come in a number of shapes, sizes and operational modes. All are designed to protect the individual in life threatening situations, by making the immediate environment very uncomfortable for the attacker(s) and to draw attention to your need for help.

Many people think, “I don’t need a personal alarm, who’s going to attack me, I’ve got nothing to steal”. They only become fully aware of the potential risks we all face when they themselves’, a friend or someone close becomes a victim of a vicious attack.

Many countries do not allow the carrying, of what they class as an offensive weapon, (this may vary from country to country) which in Britain includes items such as knives, baseball bats, CS sprays, mace, pepper sprays, stun guns and tasers. Personal alarms are the only legal option.

Alarms have to be ready for use if needed, they are of no use if they are buried at the bottom of a handbag, shopping bag, or rucksack when an attack takes place.

Who Should Have a Personal Alarm?

The short answer is everyone, but especially:

Late night commuters
Office workers in empty buildings at night
Drivers leaving vehicles in lonely streets and car parks
Travellers/tourists in unfamiliar areas
People using underpasses and underground car parks
Joggers, runners, walkers, hikers
Children and young adults – especially those who travel alone
Taxi drivers

Some employers now issue staff with personal alarms to protect them from attack and themselves against possible claims of neglecting their employees interests.

Types of Personal Alarm

There are two main groups of personal Alarms, with a number of variations on each, basically they are aerosol alarms and electronic alarms.

Aerosol alarms:

Standard canister type devices that emit a powerful sound output of 130 decibels or above, for around 3-6 minutes of intermittent or continuous sound, depending on model.
As above but much smaller – can be attached to a key ring. Approximately 1 minutes usage.
Standard canister type – sound, plus an ultra violet tracer, which invisibly adheres to the skin and clothes of an attacker. This tracer shows up under ultra violet lighting to assist the police in identification.
As above but in addition to the tracer it also releases a repelling odour, which as well as discouraging the attacker, leaves a distinguishable smell on the attackers skin and clothing.
Another option is an aerosol alarm that sprays an attacker with a foam dye that stains the attackers skin green – this lasts for up to 7 days, allowing him to be easily identified.

Electronic alarms:

Most are very small and can easily be attached to a belt or slipped into a pocket bag or purse. These units are powered by a replaceable battery.

The standard versions normally rely on a pin being removed from the body of the device via a ripcord, to actuate the alarm. The pin can be put back in after a short burst if required. Suitable for both internal and external use. Most devices will allow for up to 2 hours use, before new batteries are required.
As above, but with a torch built in. On some units the torch can also be set to flash.
Standard unit with the addition of a highly visible strobe light. Useful in emergencies or when stranded to alert and direct rescue operations.
Standard unit with additional push button operated torch and strobe light.

Most electronic personal alarms are easily adaptable:

as portable door alarms via a door/window bracket
as handbag/case alarms – when the bag is snatched the alarm sounds.

Additional Self Defence information and hundreds more tips on how to protect your family, are now available in our new 211 (A4) page security and safety book 'How to Protect your Family and Belongings Now'

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