It’s almost that time guys! The holidays are getting ready to roll around and, while we’re all starting to build our wish lists, I thought it was a great time to refresh ourselves on some very practical safety tips we can use every day and especially as we travel near and far this holiday season.
This post is sponsored by Silent Beacon.
Scary story time
A few years ago, I was in Target with my daughter (who was like 2 or 3 at the time, so ZERO stranger-danger). As we navigated the mayhem that is the holiday shopping season, I noticed a strange man (lurking?) in every single aisle we were in.
At first, I thought it was a coincidence, but when I saw him hovering over the Tampons with eyes zoned in on my kid, I knew for sure he was following us.
I decided to cut our trip short and headed straight for the checkout aisle, trying to calm the beats of my heart to a reasonable pace. And, right before we got in line as I was grabbing something from the bottom of my cart, this bold, creepy man, walked straight up to my beautiful, curly-haired babe and asked her what her name was.
He complimented her headband, her hair, and shoes in one breath and, as I politely wished him thanks and “Happy Holidays”, I squeezed my girl into the checkout line (thankfully) out of his reach.
I guess I thought if I was nice to him, he may not try to murder us in the parking lot. Something I saw in a movie once, but hey – you do whatcha’ gotta do when you’re being crept on in a store and fearing the worst.
I found out later a group of men (and women) were arrested in that very same store for kidnapping small children for sex trafficking purposes– they were profiling kids in the store, following them home and later snatching them up for very, very disturbing reasons.
Do you have chills? Because I do just thinking about it.
I was thankful for my instinct that day, the one that forced me to uncomfortably ask a manager to walk us to our car, so that I wasn’t alone in the dark loading a toddler into her car seat, exposed. And, as I sit here with the Silent Beacon in hand, I totally wish I had it with me that day “just in case” something went horribly wrong.
Are you as safe as you can be?
That story aside, I’m ALL about preparing for emergency situations. Like, I have a plan if there’s a fire in my house, a burglary, I’m in a plane crash…oh, and I totally have one of those little devices that cuts your seatbelt and cracks your window in case my car ever goes underwater.
It’s laughable in ways (believe me, those that “love” me crack the jokes as I peruse various safety tips online as if it’s my J-O-B), but at the same time, memorizing a few of those safety tips (and arming myself with a few safety devices) gives me so much comfort and sets my mind at ease while I’m out there livin’ life.
And, it kept my kiddo safe that day retail shopping, because that trick about asking the manager to walk me to my car? It was a tip I memorized after reading a terrifying article on the internets.
All you need is one thing
I’ve recently added Silent Beacon to my arsenal of safety devices and am STOKED to have something this impactful that I can slip into my purse, keychain or pocket and carry with me always.
There are so many ways we take care of ourselves (eating healthy, working out, self-care, etc.), but one area where many of us get lost is in knowing how to protect ourselves in our everyday lives.
What would you do if you were hurt and couldn’t reach your cellphone? How would you protect yourself if your public ride turned terrifying, a strange retail lurker followed you out to the parking lot or if your car crashed into a desolate area during a winter storm?
Aside from knowing basic first aid (and the best place to kick a man if he’s comin’ atcha’), there’s not that much you can do if you are hurt, can’t access your phone and no one is around.
But, carrying a simple device on your belt loop or in your pocket could actually save your life (18 more safety tips below, so keep reading!).
Silent Beacon saves lives
Silent Beacon was born on the side of the road, after its founder, Kenny Kelley crashed his motorcycle at 70 mph. Unable to reach his cellphone to call 911 he realized just how fragile he was out there all alone without a single way to call for help.
Thankfully, he was recovered (and he himself has recovered), but in that tragic experience he came up with the genius idea of a wearable emergency communication device. And, I’m ALL about it.
This little device is user-friendly and super simple (a bonus for people like me who can’t seem to work the television remote). All you do is download their free mobile app to your smartphone and pair the device, program a few critical phone numbers and boom. Done.
It’s under $100 bucks with no recurring monthly fees!
Since cost is a concern for many of us, I love that the Silent beacon is just a one-time purchase. No subscriptions and no monthly fees.
I repeat. No monthly, recurring fees. No subscriptions.
AND, you can get 10% off now through the end of November with KIDDO10 if you decide to pick one up for yourself.
While you can request special additional services, you are under no obligation to do so unless you wanna. Otherwise, you order the device, pair it to your phone, stick it in your purse, keychain, belt loop or pocket and that’s it.
I love how easy access this device is -> Can you imagine stumbling through your purse to find your phone, frantically unlocking your phone and then dialing 911 if you’re all alone in a parking lot with a spooky stranger?
Adrenaline or not, that’s a lot of fumbling around and wasted time.
If you have the Silent Beacon on your keychain or waistband, all you have to do is push a button.
Key features
The cool thing about Silent Beacon is that it offers features not available on other wearable devices at a budget-friendly price point.
And, this is the only device on the market that allows you to choose which phone number you want it to call in an emergency.
You can program any number into the one-press emergency call button (911 or a loved one or both) and you get live GPS tracking, internationally, along with the ability to create a customized contact list.
It has a large speaker and noise cancellation microphone with hands-free, two-way communication. And, it sends your GPS location to your contacts via app alerts, text, and email.
When you’re in trouble, every second counts. Silent Beacon is safety made simple.
And, simple is what WE ALL need in these very busy, chaotic, hectic lives we’re living!
Great for Moms, Dads, and kids
Silent Beacon is an excellent sidekick for any family as it can easily be used by Mom, Dad or the kiddos. One press on the Silent Beacon and you’re paired up to 911 or another emergency contact of your choice.
Your loved ones get a text or email that you need help. AND, the live GPS location is sent through the App to those on your emergency contact list.
Whether you’re a Mom in a precarious parking lot situation outside of your favorite retail store, a kiddo who got lost while out and about, or a Dad short of breath while out on a run, you’re covered.
It’s that simple.
18 More ways to be safe this holiday season
Before I head off, I wanted to share a few more ways you can stay safe with Silent Beacon as your sidekick this holiday season. I’m dropping in some seriously simple safety tips every woman should follow as they navigate the holidays and all year through.
On the road
- Tell at least one person what you’re doing, when you’ll be back, etc.
- Completely remove snow and ice from your car before you drive
- Drive slowly when roads are slippery or icy
- Wear your seatbelt and pull over if you need to (with flashers, and only if you can’t see or its too slippery)
- If you need help, press the button on your Silent Beacon.
- And, here is one of the best (and most important) safety tips you can follow while out on the road: PUT YOUR CELL PHONE AWAY WHILE DRIVING. If you’ve got the Silent Beacon, you’ve already got direct access to 911 or your emergency contact if needed. Everything else can wait.
In stores, parking lots and parking garages
- Walk with purpose
- Find a bathroom in a well-trafficked area (don’t use the bathroom at the end of a long hallway, at a rest stop or port-a-potty if it’s not well-trafficked).
- Be aware of your surroundings, always (use your eyes and ears)!
- Have your keys out of your purse and in hand before you hit the parking lot
- Hold your keys between your fingers as a potential weapon (put one key in between your forefinger and middle finger so that it’s sticking out between those two fingers).
- Frequently check your surroundings while putting your kiddo in the car seat.
- If needed, hit the panic button on your Silent Beacon
- Also if needed, ask an employee of the store you’re leaving to follow you to your car. Tell them why. Trust me. They will help you!
At holiday parties + on your way home
- Avoiding drinking too much (and watch those drinks when you set them down on the bar)!
- Avoid UBER and cabs if you can. If you can’t, buddy up.
- If you do end up UBERing solo, text a friend the persons badge number / name / identity and let them know when you are expected to your destination.
- Don’t be the only woman on an elevator, subway or bus. If you are, step off and wait for another.
Order Silent Beacon here (and get 10% off!)
If you would like to order Silent Beacon for yourself, visit this link. Now through the end of November, they are offering kiddoandsoul readers 10% off with coupon code KIDDO10! I’m so thankful to have this little guy hanging from my keychain and feel 1,000 times safer heading out there alone while I shop for my loved ones this holiday season!
Drop in questions below if you got em’! And, if you have any awesome safety tips you’d like to add to this list, please share 🙂
LEARN MORE ABOUT SILENT BEACON HERE
*This post is sponsored by Silent Beacon. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Post may contain affiliate or referral links. I earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my links, which helps me continue on this fabulous journey of blogging! Full disclaimers avail. here.
