Personal safety is one of the most important considerations when going out for a run, right up there with wearing the right shoes and staying hydrated.
The SOS Safety Siren is a watch that is equipped with a body alarm – press a button and a 120-decibel alarm goes off. It’s got a rubberized band that is pretty comfortable – very similar to an Ironman watch, and a smooth wide LCD face. It’s sized more like a men’s watch, similar in size to some of the other larger GPS and smart watches. It’s simple to set the time and date, too. There aren’t a lot of bells and whistles, but the alarm is exactly what you need to draw attention if you’re in a dangerous situation. Plus, it’s only around $20-$25, and sold at Walmart and Walmart.com.
I accidentally set the alarm off while attending a special event at my daughter’s soon-to-be elementary school; fortunately it was more of an open-house situation than a taking-the-SAT situation. The reaction? Everyone immediately looked up. (Three boys, around 10 years old, immediately came to ask me what it was because “That was so cool!)
This is exactly what you want to happen when you are in danger. Whether it’s an aggressive dog or an aggressive person, a loud noise attracts attention; attention is the opposite of what someone wants that is trying to hurt you. This watch may not include GPS or track your pace or heart rate, but it could save your life.
I love this product and the idea behind it. I purchased 2, one for myself and one for my daughter who attends college. I want her to wear it especially after dark when walking alone. I wear my every time I hike. I feel safer with it on. As Kelly mentions in her article, it omits a very loud sound–just what you would want if you felt threatened.