Hi friends,
Can you believe it’s almost March already? Just a few weeks ago Nashville was covered in a sheet of ice, and soon enough, we will be trading in our sweaters for swimsuits and enjoying some wonderful time off. In preparation for Spring Break, I’ve partnered with SABRE to give you a few safety tips for and show you some products that could make a huge difference when it comes to being safe and smart.
When we’re out for vacation, safety seems to be the last thing on our mind. After all, if we’re laying on the beach and enjoying the sunshine, what bad could happen? But lowered inhibitions can be dangerous. College students are the most at risk for both alcohol-related injuries and sexual assault. Being in a new city and being surrounded by a party atmosphere can put us at risk for a variety of dangers. We can’t always control the situations that we are put in, but we can equip ourselves with the knowledge and skills to handle a negative situation if it occurs. Safety is a choice, and an important one.
SABRE is a personal safety company whose mission is to make sure that everyone is equipped to protect themselves so that they can live a safe, healthy life with peace of mind. Not only do they offer personal defense products, they also offer personal safety training. Here are some of their top tips for Spring Break safety.
1. Party safely. Watch your drink at all times and don’t ever take anything from strangers. Make sure you are with people you trust.
2. Remember that there truly is strength in numbers. Never a leave a friend on their own and keep an eye out for your friends. Always make sure you have emergency cash on-hand and a charged cellphone. You never know when you might need it.
3. Especially if you are traveling internationally or in an unfamiliar place, it is always a good idea to have a business card with your hotel’s address and phone number on-hand. That way, if you ever get separated from a group or need to get back urgently you are always prepared. Also, it is always a good idea to have your personal safety tools with you and readily available. Even if you believe you are going somewhere very safe, it’s important to always be aware of your surroundings and prepared.
Personally, I think these are always safety tips you should follow, but especially when you are on Spring Break. Unfortunately, there are people out there who are looking for opportunities to take advantage of college students when they are least expecting it. Don’t give them that opportunity. Empower yourself through information and action.
In addition to safety training, SABRE also offers a variety of personal safety products. A full list of products for parents and students can be found here, but I’m going to show you a few I got a chance to test out!
The first product I tested was the SABRE Personal Alarm, a small keychain device about the size of a flash drive. Once the pin at the end of the keychain is pulled, it releases a siren noise of 110 decibels. How loud is that? About as loud as being front row at a rock concert, or, if you’re me trying this out in my apartment, to drop the alarm in a panic and scramble to make it stop.
My clumsiness aside, the value of something like this is obviously apparent. One of the biggest things that I’ve learned regarding personal safety is that you should always draw attention to the scene. If you feel threatened, the biggest thing that will help you out is other people knowing. When it’s you versus an attacker, they may have the potential to overpower you. But having a community of people around you is enough to make an attacker realize they’re making the wrong choice.
The second product I tested was the SABRE Campus Safety Pepper Gel. Unlike most self-defense sprays, the fact that the irritant is a gel means that it’s safe to use indoors and won’t harm anyone but the target. To use, twist the top to the active position, aim at the target’s eyes (spray from ear to ear) from a distance of about 10 feet, and deploy the gel. It comes on a handy keychain that has a quick release lock when you need to remove it.
Luckily, I didn’t have to test out this pepper spray, because SABRE also has a practice spray that you can use to get the hang of using it. I tested it out on some bushes outside my apartment and am really glad I got the chance to use it outside of a crisis situation. I’d recommend watching this video and getting a practice canister just so you’ll be ready if that time ever comes.
I think my favorite thing about all of these products is how portable they are. They’re a welcome addition to any keychain or backpack, and they don’t make me feel like I’m going out of my way to keep myself safe. In fact, I simply feel more at ease knowing that I’ve got a few simple tools at my disposal to keep me safe whether I’m in Nashville or Naples.
Safety isn’t something that we should worry about 24/7, but it’s also not something that we should take for granted. With the right knowledge and a little help, anybody can take their safety into their own hands. The more college students that are aware of this, the more we can enjoy ourselves, both during Spring Break and just going about our everyday lives. I’m so thankful that there are companies like SABRE that make being safe and smart such an easy choice.
Check out SABRE’s website here and be sure to stay up to date on new products and safety information via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! And have a wonderfully safe Spring Break!
xoxo,
THE BLESSED LIFE. 