PPB January 2021

Just InCase According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, almost 10 million women and men are assaulted or are victims of violent crime countrywide every year. Fifteen percent of all violent crimes are committed by an intimate partner, and women ages 18–24 are the most vulnerable in domestic violence situations. While nearly half of Americans (48 percent) say they avoid going to certain neighborhoods or areas that they might otherwise go to avoid crime, 14 percent of Americans say they have personally carried mace or pepper spray, according to Gallup’s annual crime poll. Affordable, easy to use and carry, pepper spray and other self- defense tools like personal alarms help users feel safe, from police officers to college students. Women are three times more likely than men to carry pepper spray, according to a Gallup study, but devices that offer peace of mind with the potential to prove life-saving is perfect for both sexes. According to Grand View Research, the global self- defense products market was valued at $2.4 billion in 2018 and is expected to grow at an annual rate of 5.9 percent from 2019 to 2025. Increasing civil unrest across the globe is the major factor driving the global market. Apart from civil tensions, recreational activities such as camping and hunting will also add to the demand for self- defense weapons. Brands looking to market to college students can also help universities promote campus safety with personal safety products. While some universities have begun to ban pepper spray, fearing it can be used as a weapon of assault, personal alarms are the next best option for students wanting to feel safe as they travel through campus. A personal alarm is a small, battery-powered device that can connect to a student’s keychain. By triggering a switch or removing a pin, the alarm emits a deafening tone meant to catch an assailant off guard and disorient them. The noise will also alert others in the vicinity that something’s wrong. Personal safety products are designed to help end users feel safe at all times. These products are meant to be discreet, and manufacturers are also focusing on developing compact products that integrate more than one feature. Emergency tools that can be used, for example, to shine a light, break glass and cut a seat belt, are gaining popularity among consumers. The availability of various types of convenient personal safety products from manufacturers is also helping the market to gain prominent acceptance among consumers. The Crossover Outdoor Tactical Center Punch Pen isn’t only for writing—the tip can be used as an emergency windshield hammer or as a sharp self-defense weapon. This writing instrument is made of durable stainless steel and features an attached clip that's wide enough to t on your belt, and the sharp side edges can be used to grind wood or plastic into a usable point. Features a black ink cartridge. High Caliber Line / PPAI 205801, S10 www.highcaliberline.com A great self-defense item for any age, the safety alarm key chain easily attaches to backpacks, purses or car keys. It has a built-in LED light to help in dark or low-light areas. In the case of an emergency, simply pull the pin to sound the safety alarm. The alarm is 100 to 110 decibels and can be heard up to 175-225 feet away, depending on surrounding conditions. The alarm will quit once the pin is replaced or until the battery dies. Three replaceable batteries and instructions are included. Beacon Promotions, Inc. / PPAI 113702, S10 www.beaconpromotions.com Tatiana Popova / Shutterstock.com. | JANUARY 2021 | 35 GROW