The Best Personal Safety Alarms and Gadgets for Every Situation

Make some noise for safety with our favorite alarms, from keychain sirens to wearable bracelets.
Small personal safety alarms in the shape of cylindrical keychain walkie talkie and bracelet. Background yellow burlap...
Photograph: Arlo; Flare; Sabre; Target; Getty Images
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Best for Discreet Situations

Flare Smart Safety Bracelet
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Best for Students

She’s Birdie Original Birdie
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Best for Runners

Sabre 2-in-1 Clip-On Personal Alarm With LED Safety Light
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Other Helpful Gadgets

Many self-defense instructors suggest owning a flashlight as a personal safety tool as well. Besides helping you spot potential threats in the dark, the right flashlight can disorient an attacker in seconds, and hopefully long enough to help you escape. Unlike mace, you haven't hurt anyone, so if it was just a lost stranger asking for directions, no harm done.

Commerce director Martin Cizmar recommends the Fenix 35ER in WIRED's Best Flashlights and Headlamps guide. It's compact enough to throw in a bag without weighing you down yet durable enough to double as a self-defense weapon if all else fails. For a more affordable pick, writer Louryn Strampe nominates the 900-lumen Anker Rechargeable Bolder ($34), which even has a strobe function. It's a lot smaller but will still pack a harder punch than a lone fist.

Final Tips and Advice

  1. Consider your lifestyle. Think about where and how you'll use the siren alarm. A keychain alarm might be ideal for city commutes, but a wearable model is probably a better option for outdoor activities.
  2. Test it first. Before heading out, pull the alarm to ensure it sounds as intended. If it includes an emergency dispatch feature, test that too—be sure to notify the responder during the call that this is a test. Also, regularly check the battery.
  3. Stay aware. Personal alarms are tools, not shields, and they're most effective when paired with situational awareness. When outside, stay alert to potential risks and trust your instincts.
  4. Have a plan. An alarm should be one part of a larger safety strategy. Plan through what you'll do after activating it: identify space spaces to run to and know who to call for help.