Tips - Apps and Gadgets
While solo travel can be incredibly rewarding, it’s important to take steps to protect yourself and ensure your safety. The latest personal safety apps and gadgets offer a range of features designed to help you stay safe, connected, and confident as you explore the world on your own. By integrating these tools into your travel routine, you can focus on enjoying your journey with the peace of mind that you’re prepared for any situation.
Traveling solo as a woman can be an empowering and enriching experience, offering a unique opportunity for self-discovery and adventure. However, it also comes with its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to personal safety. Fortunately, technology has made it easier than ever to stay safe and connected while exploring the world on your own. From GPS tracking apps to portable security devices, there are a variety of tools designed to enhance the safety and convenience of solo female travelers. Here’s a review of some of the latest and most effective personal safety apps and gadgets that can help ensure your travels are both enjoyable and secure.
GPS Tracking Apps
One of the most significant concerns for solo travelers is ensuring that someone knows their whereabouts, especially when venturing into unfamiliar territory. GPS tracking apps are a simple yet effective way to keep your loved ones informed of your location in real-time.
Life360: This app allows you to create a “circle” of family or friends who can view your real-time location and get alerts when you arrive at or leave specific places. It also has a panic button feature that sends out an emergency alert with your location to your circle.
Google Maps Location Sharing: Google Maps offers a location-sharing feature that lets you share your location with specific contacts for a set period. This feature is incredibly useful when you’re navigating a new city and want someone to know where you are.
Find My Friends (iOS): Apple’s Find My Friends app is another great tool for sharing your location with trusted contacts. It’s integrated with the iPhone’s native system, making it easy to use and reliable.
Personal Safety Apps
In addition to GPS tracking, there are apps designed specifically for personal safety that offer features like emergency alerts, quick access to emergency services, and even fake calls to help you out of uncomfortable situations.
bSafe: This app is packed with features designed for personal safety. It includes an SOS button that sends your location and video/audio to your designated contacts, a timer alarm that notifies your contacts if you haven’t checked in by a certain time, and a fake call feature to help you exit tricky situations.
Noonlight: Noonlight provides a personal safety system that connects directly to emergency services. By holding down the app’s button, you can trigger an alert that notifies the police of your location if you release the button without entering a passcode.
Red Panic Button: This app is as straightforward as it sounds. In an emergency, you press the red button, and your GPS location is sent to your emergency contacts along with a panic message.
Portable Security Devices
Sometimes, having a physical security device can provide an extra layer of safety, especially in situations where your smartphone might not be easily accessible.
Personal Alarms: These small, portable devices emit a loud siren when activated, attracting attention and potentially scaring off an attacker. The SABRE Personal Alarm is a popular choice due to its compact size and loud 120dB alarm, which can be heard up to 600 feet away.
Doorstop Alarm: If you’re staying in unfamiliar accommodations, a doorstop alarm can provide peace of mind. The SABRE Door Stop Alarm is placed under your door and will sound a loud alarm if someone tries to open it, alerting you to a potential intruder.
Portable Lock: The Addalock Portable Door Lock is a simple but effective device that adds an extra layer of security to any door. It’s particularly useful in hotel rooms or Airbnb accommodations where you may not feel entirely secure.
Safety Wearables
Wearable technology has advanced significantly, with many devices now offering discrete safety features that can be easily accessed in an emergency.
Invisawear: Invisawear creates jewelry with hidden safety features, such as necklaces and bracelets that double as personal alarms. By pressing the back of the pendant, you can send a distress signal with your location to your emergency contacts.
ROAR Athena: This wearable device is designed to be clipped to your clothing or bag and allows you to send a distress signal with your location to your contacts with a simple press. It’s small, lightweight, and can be worn discreetly.
Flare: Flare is another safety accessory that looks like a regular bracelet but contains a hidden button that, when pressed, sends your location to pre-set contacts and can even trigger a fake call to give you an excuse to leave a situation.
Power Banks
No list of safety gadgets would be complete without mentioning the importance of a reliable power bank. Keeping your devices charged is crucial for staying connected and safe, especially in emergencies.
Anker PowerCore: This portable charger is compact but powerful, capable of charging your smartphone multiple times on a single charge. It’s an essential item for any solo traveler who needs to ensure their devices stay powered up.
