Regardless of who you are, what you do and where you live, there is always a risk of running into an emergency or a dangerous situation. The worst thing that could happen should such a thing occur is when you find yourself completely unprepared to handle the situation or worse, protect yourself and call for help.  Potential emergencies such as these have prompted people to use personal panic alarms.  But what exactly are personal panic alarms and what are their benefits?

The personal panic alarm
The personal panic alarm is an electronic device that consists of a switch and a small speaker that will sound an alarm when turned on.  There are several brands of panic alarms and while they may differ in features, they all have one purpose – to sound out a loud alarm when activated.  This is to draw attention to the user, call for help in case no phone is available or if the user is incapacitated and to scare away an intruder or an attacker.

Benefits of the personal panic alarm
There are several options to choose from when purchasing a personal panic alarm.  Some are designed to be used in the home, where the elderly or physically incapacitated can make use of them, while others are handy and can be carried around.

The handy personal panic alarm is a small handheld device which comes with a switch button or pin.  In case of an emergency, the user simply has to press on the button or pull the pin to activate the alarm. How loud the alarm is will depend on its size and type.

The handy personal panic alarm is often sold by personal security retail stores online and offline.  They are battery operated and can be used readily after purchase. They are stand-alone products, in that there is no need for a third party service to activate the alarm.

There are also alarms that work as transmitters.  Another device, called the receiver, is placed within recommended range in the room, home or building.  This type of personal alarm can either be carried around or attached to the body or it can be placed in a fixed position in a designated area.

Fixed personal panic alarms usually come with a push button or a pull cord.  Portable alarms, on the other hand, sometimes come with a sensor to detect motion or pulse.  Others may even have a sensor to detect falls.  Should an accident happen, the personal alarm transmits a signal to the receiver, which then sounds out an alarm.

Personal panic alarms of these types are very useful for people who live by themselves or those who are frequently left alone in the house.  They are also beneficial for seniors and the elderly or those who have problems with mobility.  An alarm can call the attention of a neighbor or passerby or it can be used to dial a pre-set emergency number.

personal alarm with flashing light image