KINGSTON, Jamaica — Ensuring personal safety is paramount for women, and several essential tools and tips can help enhance security in various situations. From small yet powerful devices like keychain alarms that emit loud noises to draw attention in dangerous situations to portable phone chargers that keep communication lines open, these tools and tips are invaluable. Additionally, being mindful of safety tips like avoiding oversharing personal information and staying alert can significantly reduce risks.

Here are some essentials that every woman should consider:

— Keychain Alarm: This small yet powerful device can be easily attached to your keys and emits a loud alarm when activated. When in danger, you can draw more attention towards you due to the loud noise it creates, increasing the chances of getting help.

A keychain alarm (Photo courtesy of Amazon)

— Portable Phone Charger: Your phone is one of the outlets used to connect you to the world. A portable charger is essential and life-changing, ensuring your phone stays charged so you can always call for help or text a trusted family member or friend.

— Safety Apps: These apps share your location with trusted contacts and send alerts to emergency services, which can come in handy in case of an emergency or just for daily commutes. They provide real-time information on your exact location, which is useful in the event that you need to be found. This information is powerful and shouldn’t be taken lightly, so only share it with trusted friends or family.

— Window Breaker Escape Pen: This tool combines excellent strength and portability. It has the capability to break a window to escape in an emergency. By firmly pressing the tool against the side of your car window, it releases enough pressure to break it.

A glass breaker escape pen (Photo courtesy of Amazon)

— Pepper Spray: Though controversial in Jamaica, this compact and effective self-defence tool can incapacitate an attacker, giving you time to escape.

Pepper spray (Photo courtesy of Amazon)

— Tactical Flashlight: A high-powered flashlight can be used to temporarily blind an attacker, providing a chance to escape. It can also be used to illuminate dark areas for better visibility.

— First Aid Kit: This typically portable bag or box contains medical supplies and equipment that can come in handy in case of an emergency. It contains supplies to treat minor cuts, scrapes, or even burns. It is important to familiarise yourself with all the elements within the kit. Where necessary, personalise your kit to include medication to support any medical issues you may currently face.

A first aid kit. (Photo courtesy of Amazon)

Safety tips to remember:

— Avoid Sharing Personal Information: Be cautious about what you share online and with strangers, especially your location and daily routines. It’s easy for someone to gather information and familiarise themselves with your life patterns. Be careful with how much information you share about your home address, landmarks close to it, and your work address.

— Be Aware of Your Phone’s Emergency Call Feature: Many phones come with built-in safety features to protect you. iPhone’s Emergency SOS feature quickly calls emergency services by pressing the side button five times, while Android’s version activates by pressing the power button multiple times. Knowing this can help you quickly alert the necessary authorities.

— Enable Location Services: For GPS tracking features to work effectively, ensure that location services are enabled on your device. This allows your chosen app to share your real-time location with trusted contacts or emergency services when needed.

— Be Cautious When Ordering Taxis: Always take a moment to pause and match the vehicle’s description to the one you were told. Verify the driver’s identity before getting into the vehicle you presume to be your ride.

— Stay Alert: In this technological era, it is easy to become distracted while taking a phone call or even listening to music. It is important to stay focused until you have arrived at your desired location, as it only takes a split second for something to happen while you’re distracted.

— Don’t Leave Valuables Inside Your Vehicle: Onlookers may be incentivised to break into your vehicle if your handbag, wallet, or laptop bag is in clear view. If necessary, leave your belongings underneath your seat or at least covered.

— Keep Your Bags Close to Your Body:  When walking on busy roads, ensure your bag or valuable item is in front of you where you can see it or very close to your body. Especially when wearing a cross-body bag, ensure all zippers are closed where possible.

By implementing these essential safety tips and tools, you can do your best to stay safe during your daily commute and in various situations. Keeping these in mind could potentially keep you from danger.