Crime Prevention Products Reports High Percentage of Customers Fail to Learn how to Effectively use Personal Alarm

Major retailers of personal alarms such as Crime Prevention Products are reporting a high percentage of customers don't take the time to learn how to effectively use the product they buy. Unfortunately, when there is the need to use a personal alarm, there's no time to figure out what to do – for this reason they stress the need to get fully comfortable with operating your personal alarm, so that it becomes a natural reflex if trouble strikes.

'The first step is making sure the customer has been soundly advised on the Personal Alarm that suits their individual circumstances.' says Terry Rattee, Managing Director of Crime Prevention Products. 'The second step, just as important but often overlooked, is that they need to make sure they know how to effectively use their product at a moment's notice. While a personal alarm will help you feel safe, this won't be the case unless it's properly used.'

Mr Rattee went on to outline a few crucial tips for owners of personal alarms:

1. Read the operating instructions carefully until fast alarm activation is a natural action. If needed, ask the alarm retailer to provide a demonstration.
2. Make sure the personal alarm is within easy reach at all times and take it in hand the moment there's a sense of possible threat.
3. If the attacker ignores the alarm and still gets up close, hold it as close to the attacker's ear as possible – this will disorientate and shock them, allowing the opportunity for escape.
4. After activation, there are seconds to make an exit – don't check for the attacker's reaction.
5. Alert passers-by (if they haven't noticed the noise) of the trouble by shouting for the police.

There are a wide range of personal alarms on the market in both gas and battery operated options. Effective use depends on choosing the product that suits each individual and the risks they face. Battery operated personal alarms for example are usually smaller, so would be the best choice for those who want to carry them unobtrusively in their pocket or purse. Gas alarms on the other hand have the benefit of having a button that can more easily be pressed than battery alarms, which tend to have a pin or chain that needs to be pulled.

Whatever the option in personal alarms, the consensus seems to be that as with everything in life, the instrument is only as good as the person using them. With this in mind, companies like Crime Prevention Products take extra care in advising customers to know how to use their product without having to think about it.