2020 has officially ended! It would be a euphemism to say it was a rough year. While it seems that we are still not completely there yet, it seems that there is a light at the end of the tunnel regarding the current global situation. As you probably do too, we cannot wait until things finally go back to normal.
We want to thank you all, our customers, partners, supporters, and friends for all your support this year because, without you, we could not have made it. You showed up for us in a big way and for that, we are forever grateful.
Last year, we were lucky enough to be featured on the Southern Survival show on Netflix which gave us great exposure, to continue working with our longtime partners United Hatzalah, Kids & Cars, and Sdis78 in France, while developing new collaboration such as the one with Michelle from Safe in the Seat and many more. We consider ourselves lucky and we are humbled by the fact that resqme is still standing after 22 years.
In 2021, we plan on adding a few new items to our website and to provide you with the best customer service we can offer. We were able to fix our website issues so all is back to normal in and the ordering process should be a lot smoother! We want to thank you again for bearing with us and for your patience amidst these technical issues.
Here is to a better year for 2021! Happy New Year and all the best to you and your loved ones! As always, thank you for making safety your priority.
The resqme Team
If you are lucky enough to be able to be with friends and family for Thanksgiving this year amidst the pandemic, be sure to not let the joy of seeing your loved one’s override safety! Drinks, a huge turkey, the kids running around… hopefully all the necessary elements for a good time will be reunited! 2020 was not the best year but let’s still be grateful for what we have now!
The obvious one. If you are going to celebrate, please do it responsibly, especially if you need to get behind the wheel. 1/3 of all fatalities during the Thanksgiving Holiday period in 2018 involved drunk drivers according to NHTSA (1). Thanksgiving is about reuniting with the people who count the most and it would be a shame to waste that because of an extra drink.
Family time, yay! It is great to see your little ones enjoying the occasion but make sure you take the proper safety measures, especially if you have several potential troublemakers at home ?. It is probably best to keep them away from the kitchen, while the Thanksgiving meal is cooking and where many sharp objects reside.
Potato puree, the turkey, veggies and finally the traditional potato or pumpkin cake: there is no shortage of dish that will need to be put in the oven or to cook over the stove. While hosting, it can be easy to get distracted especially if you have a few people to entertain (and if you have a drink or two). Make sure you keep an eye on what’s cooking and set timers/alarms to prevent lunch from going to waste or to burn the house! In 2018, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 1,630 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving, the peak day for such fires (2). Unattended cooking was by far the leading contributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths.
Before the event, to ensure you are fully covered in case of emergency, make sure you fire detector alarms are working properly. Almost three out of five home fire deaths resulted from fires in properties with no (40%) or no working (17%) smoke alarms according to nfpa.org (3). To prevent such tragedy, set up regular checks on your installations. According the US Fire administration, smoke detectors should be tested once a month and batteries should be replaced once or twice a year (4).
If traveling to join family or friends during the long weekend, set up defense systems to protect your house from breaks in. A good strategy is to make the place look like it is occupied, even if it is not. Time-up lights to go on at certain times, keep a car in the driveway and have a trusted neighbor collect the mail, so your mailbox does not look overflowed. Also, a good alarm system is always a nice option to scare off any potential intruder.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Enjoy the well deserved Holiday!
Halloween is one of the most anticipated events of the year because it is so fun! People get to dress up as their favorite characters and ghouls and ghosts will haunt the streets. Children and parents will be out in masses to hunt for these delicious candies and those who do not comply may well have a spell cast on them if they do not deliver the goods! Streets will be crowded, so if driving, slow down and ensure the safety of pedestrians whether they cross in between or outside the lines.
Now is the time to gather with family and friends, eat tons of pumpkin cake and use your creativity and imagination to decorate the house. If you tend to go above and beyond with all things Halloween, we strongly recommend considering using fake candles or flashlights to lighten the porch or the living room in the safest possible way. Nobody likes their house burning on Halloween night so this will greatly reduce the risk of a fire.
Horror movies protagonists, superheroes, public figures… there is no shortage of characters to pick from to make a great impression and beat the competition on Halloween! However, some costumes may be very dark and difficult to see at night. Make sure to pay extra attention and spot kids who wear dark clothing to avoid any unfortunate accident.
Halloween is the perfect occasion to gather with friends (when there is no pandemic, that is, or if you are lucky enough to live in an area that allows small gatherings). Time to have fun and do your best impersonation of Count Dracula or the Frankenstein creature! If going to someone’s place, make sure to designate a driver for the night and drink in moderation. Do not drink and drive. NHTSA has reported that 42 percent of all people killed in motor vehicle crashes on Halloween night from 2013 to 2017 were in crashes involving drunken driving. (1)
There is far less worry to have on Halloween night if you can avoid getting behind the wheel. To fully enjoy the festivities, consider taking public transportation if leaving your place or walking if possible.
(1) https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812603
Take good care of your car and you will drive it longer! Carrying a few items handy in the trunk can save you a trip to the repair shop and help you learn how to be hands-on checking some elementary things around the car.
Probably the #1 item to always have in your vehicle. If your tire blows and you have a spare, you will be able to change it yourself with the scissor jack, without having to call road assistance. With a bit of practice, you can change a tire in about ten minutes! If possible, make sure to park the car in a place where you can safely maneuver.
This will be helpful if you do not have a spare or if you do not know how to change the punctured tire. Always having a compressor kit in your vehicle will allow you to proceed quickly and get back on the road in no time. Some are equipped with a gauge on top of the sealant and will allow you to fill the tire to the proper pressure. Still, do not forget to stop at the shop to get a new tire as the sealant action will last only a few days.
The coolant is a liquid whose purpose is to protect your engine from extreme cold or hot temperature, thus helping it run longer. It basically prevents the engine from both overheating and freezing. Not adjusting the level of coolant on a regular basis can lead to some expensive damage to the engine. There are different kind of coolants, specific to your car model so make sure to pick the right one!
“Be prepared for emergencies” is our motto! As we always say, we hope you will never have to use it, but it is always good to be equipped for the unexpected. Our little seat belt cutter and window breaker does not take any room and can be placed on your keys or in various spots around the car such as the head rest, sun visor or even the gear lever. Compact and efficient, it can really make a difference if you find yourself entrapped in your car under the water or after a rollover. Remember though, it only works on TEMPERED glass!
A must have! Nothing is more annoying than not being able to start the car because the battery is dead. With a battery charger you will not even need another car to recharge the battery. Hook up the positive and negative cable to their respective terminals on the charger and set to the slowest charger rate. Be aware though, that it can take up to a few hours to fully charge the battery.
We all know the importance of being prepared in case of emergency. Having a resqme® or two attached to your keychain or strategically placed in various spots inside your car could make a difference in case of an accident and save your and your passengers’ life.
Many times, we get asked how the resqme® seatbelt cutter and window breaker works. How to test it, is it reusable, and what is the little metal ball on the tool for?
The resqme® is made from an ABS plastic body. It works thanks to a center punch mechanism that triggers a spring-loaded, stainless steel spike. This spike will shatter the glass of the side window of a vehicle when applied to its corner (it also works on the middle but may not shatter instantly and a few trial may be necessary, so we recommend using the corners). Be aware that the resqme® only works on TEMPERED glass as opposed to LAMINATED glass. The little metal ball should not be used against the window, it is the other end of the tool, the black head that will break the glass when pressed against it.
Here is a glance of what is inside the resqme®:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zu8xsNo3O2w
If you ever find yourself entrapped in a car:
The resqme® is made in the USA. It comes in 6 colors, although we do have some limited-edition colors available here: https://bit.ly/3aUatXK
How to spot a copy quickly?
Beware of copies of the resqme® made from cheap material that may not work in case of an emergency. The original resqme® tool always has the actual resqme logo engraved on its side. Also, the keyring is black not silver.
Stay safe and prepared in case of an emergency!
We are living a period of uncertainty with a lot of rapid changes and restrictions in effect to ensure our health and our safety. While these are by no means fun times, the best we can do is to wait it out and it is in our power to make the best of it and stay productive and positive. Instead of thinking about what we are potentially missing, let’s think about what we have the opportunity to do. Maybe now would be a good time to work on that project you have been putting off for so long? Did you always want to learn new skills? Take advantage of being at home and dedicate a few hours per day for such tasks. Here are 5 things to do while in confinement:
Work
As most companies are putting safety first, a lot of people now have to work remotely. This will take a good chunk of your day, at least during the week, preventing you from boredom and keeping you in touch with reality and forcing you to have a schedule. Also, working from home can have its advantages: no commute and potentially sleeping in a few extra minutes. Take this opportunity to enjoy being around family and the vibe of your own house. What about listening to that playing that you are the only one to like at the office? No grumpy coworkers will tell you that they can’t stand it. Finally, without in person meeting and distracting phone call, now is the time to work on some projects that were put in the back burner! Be flexible and stay positive!
Read
Nowadays, screens are everywhere. It is common for the average individual to spend more than eight hours a day in front of their computer and you have to add to that the time spent on phones. Needless to say, our eyes could use a little downtime from screens, given we have enough discipline to do it. How about taking advantage of this period of uncertainty to change your habits and pick up a good book? Rediscover the joy of reading paper and flip through pages instead of scrolling down a screen. It doesn’t matter if it is a comic book, a bestseller on how to become super successful, or a romantic novel, pick what you like and your mind will thank you.
Exercise at home
Most gyms are closed. Bummer! Yes it sucks but here is another chance to be creative and to diversify your workouts. Choose a body weight routine and do it in your living room or garden! Pick up your bike again and rediscover the joy of exercising in nature. Go for a run around the block if possible. Do online yoga classes and improve your mental health and your body! Check out your local gym website because some facilities offer free online classes. While being forced to stay at home a lot more, make sure to take care of your body to release the accumulated stress caused by current events. It will thank you for it and you will find yourself more at peace and able to better cope.
Time to clean/sort
If working at home, you may see from your improvised work station an ignored closet or junk drawer that is about to burst open. Maybe taking a few minutes to clean and sort what is inside doesn’t sound like such a bad idea. What about repairing this chair that almost killed your guest the other day because it is missing a leg? Or that shelve that cannot support more than 2 books? Now is the time to finally take care of the things you have been putting off for so long. When this period of restricted discretionary movement ends, you’ll be able to come out having it totally together! Also, by keeping your mind occupied with little tasks like that, you get things done and worry less.
Learn something new
Bars, restaurants, theaters, and concert venues are closing temporarily. Gathering with friends is getting difficult so entertainment options are now limited. However, you can turn this around to your advantage! Did you always want to learn a new language? Learn how to make croissant or pick up the electric guitar and become a mad axe-man? Get started right away and within a few weeks, you’ll be astonished with the progress you’ve made. Practice self-discipline, be confident that you can do it and more than capable. Think about the coming summer days when you’ll be able to proudly exhibit your new talents! You rule!
While awaiting for things to go back to normal, stay safe and healthy everyone!
You just got your driver license, congratulations! Now, you have the freedom to go anywhere without asking your parents or friends for a lift. Independence and autonomy come with the ability to go from places to places by yourself, but it also comes with rules and responsibilities! Here are our top 5 tips for new drivers:
The most important rule. The one that could change your life forever. NEVER drive if you have consumed alcohol or drugs, no matter what kind of substance it is. Don’t give up to peer pressure that tells you: “it is not a long drive” or that “it was only a few drinks” and recognize the signs and environment that may lead up to such poor judgement. Think about the terrible consequences and practice the zero tolerance/zero drink approach when it comes to driving. Every day, almost 30 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes — that’s one person every 50 minutes (1).
As a new driver, it is tempting to hit the gas to experience the road fever. Put your Formula 1 driver career aspirations aside and drive responsibly. Respect the road signs and speed limitation and you will find yourself at your destination safe and sound. Also, it is better to arrive in one piece 5 minutes later than not to arrive at all.
Cars are designed to take on a certain number of passengers. Here again, resist peer pressure and only take on as many passengers as your car allows. Remember that in case of collision, the consequences could be dramatic, especially if there are not enough seat belts to ensure everyone’s safety. If something goes wrong, it is always the driver’s responsibility that will be engaged.
Buckle up, my friends! Seat belt use in passenger vehicles saved an estimated 14,955 lives in 2017 (2). Buckling up is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash and should be your first reflex when entering your vehicle. It takes only a second and then you can drive with peace of mind. A terrifying 47 percent of passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2017 were not wearing seat belts (3) so always put safety first.
Pay attention to the road! It can actually take you up to 27 seconds to regain full attention after using your phone or car’s voice-command system, according to a study done at the University of Utah.(4) Keep a few things in mind:
So, this text can wait.
Sources:
(1) & (2) https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving
(3) https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/seat-belts
(4) https://unews.utah.edu/up-to-27-seconds-of-inattention-after-talking-to-your-car-or-smart-phone/
The resqme® is a great car escape tool but sometimes people get confused on how to use it. Now presenting the ultimate, most comprehensive and up to date guide on how to use our beloved lifesaving seatbelt cutter and window breaker keychain!
Where is the resqme® made and with what material?
The resqme® car escape tool is proudly made in the USA, in California to be precise! Its body is made of ABS plastic and its sharp blade in stainless steel. We are always looking to reduce our carbon footprint and be environmentally friendly which is why we are exploring new options when it comes to our packaging and the tool design itself.
Primary component and purpose?
The resqme® is designed to be a reliable, efficient and possibly lifesaving tool in emergencies such as car entrapment in or out of the water. It includes a sharp blade to be used to cut a jammed seatbelt and an inner spring-loaded mechanism triggering a spike to break a car window. This mechanism is designed to reload after each use (hopefully, you will never have to use it, not even once). The resqme® can also be used to break a window to save a distressed child or a pet that might have been left in a car on a hot day. Be aware, it only works on TEMPERED glass not laminated!
Where to place it?
There are a variety of places where you can put resqme® but keep in mind it must be securely attached, easily accessible and always within hand reach. Most people use it has a keychain so they can just grab it from the ignition if needed. If you have a keyless ignition system, make sure to place an extra resqme® on the door or on the window handle if possible. It is also very common to hang it to the rearview mirror (be aware it may be one of the first thing to go in case of a crash though) or even head rest so passengers of the vehicle can have access to it as well. For extra safety, you can also keep one in the glove compartment or on the sun visor!
How to cut a seatbelt with the resqme®?
In case of emergency, pull the resqme out of its clip to uncover the blade. Hold the tool between the index and the thumb fingers, with the black head facing upwards and cut the seatbelt diagonally. The blade is designed to cut a jammed seatbelt in a single swipe and can be reused multiple times.
How to break a window with the resqme®?
First, you want to make sure that your vehicle is equipped with tempered glass window as opposed to laminated (to see what type of glass your car is equipped with, check the manufacturer stamp on the window). To properly use the resqme®, hold it between the thumb and the index fingers, press the head of the tool (black cylindric part), firmly against one of the bottom corners of the window, the spike will release, and the window will shatter. Also, be aware that the resqme® will only work on side windows and not on a front windshield. You can test the tool by the head against a notepad, and you will hear a “click”. It signifies the reset of the inner mechanism and verifies the tool works fine. You can also test it on a small piece of glass in a plastic bag as demonstrated in the video below!
The resqme is available in 6 trendy colors and in various combos. Stay safe out there and drive with peace of mind! Where do you put your resqme®?
There is no way around it, a long commute can be draining. If you drive for a job or if you drive to your office for more than a certain amount of time, you know how difficult it can be to do it in the safest manner possible. Therefore, it is important to set up little tricks that can help you stay more focused on the road and prevent accidents linked to drowsiness. Here are five tips to prevent fatigue during long commutes.
To avoid monotony and/or put your brain at work, a nice way to distract yourself while driving on the road is to listen to a podcast, an eBook and of course to some music. With the variety of topics that are nowadays offered by podcast apps, knowledge is at the tip of your finger. Maybe you need to perfect your foreign languages skills? And what about this interesting podcast on how to manage a successful career with parenthood? It is also always fun to listen to your favorite tune and rocking out to the sound of a classic album. Finally, the eBook format allows you to get a healthy amount of lecture without keeping your eyes off the road!
Prepare in advance and make sure you don’t run around trying to get everything ready for the trip the day you are hitting the road. It will prevent stressing out about things that should not be that stressful like packing or figuring out your itinerary. Try to do as much as possible before the actual day when you must be at the wheel for countless hours and you will find the drive a lot more peaceful.
Of course, we don’t say that because we created the alertme® drowsy driver device ? but carrying an earpiece alarm is a comfortable and efficient way to enhance safe driving. The 90-dB alarm will ring as soon as your head nods, a characteristic sign of drowsiness. Now you are fully prepared!
Sure, you may have a schedule to follow but it is better to arrive late and safe than not at all. Sometimes, a quick 10 to 15 minutes nap is more than enough to let your nervous system and your body reset. Now you’re ready to hit the road again, all in safety!
Hearing a familiar voice can be very comforting and help you pass the time, without being distracted in a dangerous manner. Check in on a friend or on family and put all this available time on your hands to good use, instead of just getting frustrated at the long commute. See? You are already there and up did not see time pass!
This past summer, 43 kids died of vehicular heatstroke1, the same as in 2017 (the number in 2018 was 58, the deadliest year ever) according to kidsandcars.org. This issue is becoming a growing concern and prevention efforts are increasing, advocates are getting vocal about pushing Congress to pass the Hot Car Act. In addition, auto manufacturers are becoming increasingly aware that, they too could contribute to make vehicles safer during the warmest months of the year.
Here is a list of car technologies and devices that will help prevent more hot car related deaths and will hopefully be available across all brands of automobile in the near future. We have also included a few items that may prove useful when it comes to child safety in vehicles.
The Rear Seat Reminder does not actually detect objects in the rear seat, but it works by monitoring the vehicle’s rear doors. If either rear door is opened and closed within ten minutes before the vehicle is started, or if they are opened and closed while the vehicle is running, the feature is intended to activate.
Once the vehicle is switched off, the vehicle is designed to sound five audible chimes and display a visual message within the instrument cluster’s Driver Information Center, which can help remind the driver to look at the rear seat before departing.
Rear Door Alert activates anytime the doors to the 2nd row are opened and closed prior to a trip since it knows that something or someone is in the back seat and wasn’t reopened until after a drive is completed by the vehicle being put into park and the ignition being turned off.
First, you’ll see a visual warning to check the back seat for anything you may have brought along for the trip. If the system doesn’t sense that you opened either rear door after your trip is completed, then you’ll hear audible honking to remind you that something or someone was left in the back seat as you walk away from your Nissan.
Hyundai currently offers two types of ROA systems to help prevent tragedies from occurring. The ROA door-logic system detects if a rear door was opened or closed before the car was started, then reminds the driver to check the rear seat with a message on the center cluster when exiting the vehicle. The Ultrasonic ROA has the door-logic technology and an ultrasonic sensor that helps to detect the movements of children and pets in the second-row seats. If the system detects movement in the second-row seats after the driver leaves the vehicle and locks the doors, it will honk the horn and send an alert to the driver’s smartphone via Hyundai’s Blue Link connected car system (if equipped with Blue Link and the Blue Link service is active).
The Kars 4 Kids Safety app is designed to alert drivers when they leave their cars to remember there is a baby in the backseat. So, you can drive with peace of mind knowing we’ve got your back.
After a one-time easy setup, the app syncs with your vehicle’s Bluetooth to sound an alert when you leave the car, reminding you to take your child along. Personalize the app with a picture of your child and a customized alert ringtone.
This simple device clips to your baby’s car seat, monitors the temperature and reminds you if you happen to walk away without your baby. It continually reminds you that your baby or young child is in the car; helps prevent you accidentally forgetting baby in hot car. In the event you leave your car without your baby, the alarm on Smartphone App will be activated within short distance of car.
This one is not so much related to hot car death but will still prove useful! If unfastened while driving, the SensorSafe smart chest clip will communicate with a wireless receiver to alert the driver that the child is not safely harnessed.
1 https://www.kidsandcars.org/how-kids-get-hurt/heat-stroke/
Summertime is here! June 21st marked the beginning of the summer with the return of the sun, blue sky, and warm weather. You may not know it but in Santa Barbara, it feels like our summer starts a little later because we experience “June gloom.” During most of the month, clouds fill the sky and temperatures stay pretty much around 70 F. It gives us a good reason to really appreciate the hot summer days!
Unfortunately, with heat comes certain dangers and if you often drive with your kids, make sure to never leave them in your car on a hot day, even if you think it is only for a few minutes. It is important to be aware that a car’s interior temperature can rise approximately 40 degrees within one hour, even when the exterior temperature is only 72°F. (1)
Regularly, kids die from heat stroke after being left behind for a while or simply forgotten. According to our partners Kids and Cars, 52 kids died of heat stroke after being left behind in 2018. Sadly, this year, we are already at 17 deaths so far.(2)
It is unfortunately possible for parents to forget their kids in the car. Going with the flow of the day and following their routine, parents go to work or to their usual occupation, forgetting that the child is even in the car with them. “Forgotten baby syndrome” is not a negligence problem, but a memory problem, says David Diamond, Ph.D, a professor of psychology at the University of South Florida. “The most common response is that only bad or negligent parents forget kids in cars,” Diamond says. In reality, “It’s a matter of circumstances. It can happen to everyone.” (3)
To prevent such tragedy, make sure to always looks at the back seat when exiting your car and check out the Look before you lock tips list by Kids and Cars here: https://www.kidsandcars.org/how-kids-get-hurt/heat-stroke/
They also designed the Kars 4 Kids Safety app to alert drivers when they leave their cars to remember there is a baby in the backseat (https://www.kars4kids.org/safety-app/) .
By spreading awareness, we can help reducing the number of child’s death related to hot cars. Drive safe this summer!
Resqme, Inc. is proud to collaborate with Rescue 42 for the release of The Ripper™ Laminated Glass Cutter. Driven by the same mission, Resqme and Rescue 42 strive to make the most efficient, safe and reliable tools for vehicle rescue situations.
Both companies have been in the automotive safety industry for over 20 years. Rescue 42 was founded in 1995. Resqme, Inc. launched in 1998, introducing the original resqme® car escape keychain. Resqme and Rescue 42 are now joining forces to make sure First Responders, EMT, Police and Fire Fighters can work as fast as possible when it comes to vehicle extrication and saving lives.
In response to the recent passing of FMVSS 226, Rescue 42 recently launched The Ripper™, a critical life-saving tool that cuts and removes laminated glass side windows in less than ten seconds. The Ripper™ also incorporates a resqme® car escape tool with a fastened clip to ensure quickness on the field in the event that the vehicle has tempered glass side windows instead of laminated side windows.
If a person is trapped in their vehicle for whatever reason, First Responders now have in their hands the perfect tool for a quick, efficient action, and saving precious seconds and lives. This is a great combination since The Ripper™ is designed to cut through laminated side windows while the resqme® is primarily designed to cut jammed seatbelts and break tempered glass windows. The resqme® blade is also able to cut the tether of a deployed side airbag, so it does not cause obstruction during extrication.
It is such a pleasure for us to partner with a company who shares similar values and has made their mission to create the best safety tools.
Together, we can save more lives!
Find out more about Rescue42 and The Ripper™ laminated glass cutter here: https://rescue42.com/the-ripper/
1. Lights malfunction
You were taking your time on your way home and all of sudden, you see the police car behind you. Don’t panic, it is probably a routine control. A light malfunction is very common, and sometimes we are not even aware that one of our lights is broken. If you are driving at night, in the fog or rain, not realizing your rear light is out, you may get pulled over. Time to get it fixed and take a trip to the mechanic!
2. Speeding
Okay so maybe you are in a hurry and you are hitting the gas a little too hard. But guess what? Speeding is dangerous especially if you constantly switch from lane to lane to pass other drivers. Being late for that so important meeting is better than ending at the hospital or worse. Be responsible and don’t endanger others.
3. Texting and driving
Bad choice. The person who texted you can certainly wait until you get home to receive an answer. It is funny how we feel the urge to look at our phone and answer right away after hearing the notification bell. Unfortunately, so many lives were lost due to texting and driving. According to the NHTSA, distracted driving claimed 3,166 lives in 2017 alone (1) …You know better than this! Pay attention to the road and don’t text and drive!
4. Drunk driving
Here my friend you have made a very bad decision when you decided to get behind the wheel after having one too many alcoholic beverages. You are not only being a danger to yourself but also to other drivers and the passengers of your car. Remember that driving with even a slight buzz is reprehensible and that your capacities and reflexes are impacted. You may get home safely but you can also end up spending the night in jail or worse yet, at the hospital. Every day, almost 30 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes—that’s one person every 48 minutes in 2017, according to the NHTSA (2). Don’t be one of them!
5. Bad luck
You were driving nicely being a real civil person, being courteous but that didn’t prevent you from hearing that disturbing and stressful siren behind you. Stay calm, be polite and you’ll soon be on your way!
(1) https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving
(2) https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving
1. Be aware of your surroundings
When walking in the streets, make sure you are alert and fully aware of your surroundings. Try not to scroll on your phone while walking as it distracts you from your environment and make sure you are fully focused and aware on what is going on around you. Being alert will help you react quickly in case of emergency. Also try to change up your typical route, as someone may have noticed you taking the same path over a certain period.
2. Let you family know by what time you will be back
If living with your family or significant other, make sure they know what your plans for the evening are and with whom you are going out. Are you going out with longtime friends, a date, or coworkers? Fill them in on what your plans for the evening are and let them know by what time you think you will be back so they can take immediate action if they don’t hear from you.
3. Carry a personal safety alarm or pepper spray
It is always a good option to carry a personal safety alarm or a pepper spray to be able to protect yourself if ever attacked. Thanks to its loud siren, a portable alarm will quickly attract attention if you are under attack, while pepper spray will allow you to defend yourself if someone tries to harm you. Do a few rounds of practice occasionally to get comfortable using such devices and to be fully prepared in case of emergency.
4. Let your friends, coworker know how you are getting home
If leaving an office function or a party with friends, be vocal about how you are getting home. Are you just walking or are you taking public transportation, a cab, or an Uber? Letting your entourage know about this (plus assuring them that you will text them once safe at home) will help them notice if anything is wrong.
5. Trust your instincts
If you feel like you are getting some insistent looks or unwanted attention and start feeling uncomfortable or unsafe, don’t hesitate to change route or turn around to a more crowded area. You will then be able to ask for assistance if needed. If you feel like something weird is going on or if someone is following you, don’t hesitate to ask for help to bystanders or call for help. Better be safe than sorry!
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