The Dangers of “So-Called Self-Defense Keychains”… Better Rising Crime Solutions
June is National Safety Month, and safety and security product sales are drastically increasing. As a result, my concern as a safety expert is that people don’t know what to buy or how to use the products on the market.
As the headlines tell us, people are being targeted and assaulted in record numbers in the AAPI and Jewish communities, and women are perpetually concerned about personal safety. In the UK, the recent Sarah Everard disappearance and murder by a police officer has women worldwide even more concerned for their safety.
The number of workplace shootings is skyrocketing, with CNN reporting 253 mass shootings this year, 284 people killed, and 1,046 injured. (Source: The Gun Violence Archive).
People are looking for answers.
Lethal weapons are not the best choice for everyone. Sales of less-than-lethal or non-lethal safety tools are up. According to Business Insider, sales have surged. There is a trend where people are selling so-called “self-defense keyrings/self-defense keychains.” These multi-product keyrings are selling like crazy, according to a recent Glamour magazine article.
Gun background checks have increased:
2,644,851 in March of 2019
3,740,688 in March of 2020
4,691,733 in March of 2021, according to the FBI.
People want to be safe and protect their families, their homes, and their property.
I have a few warnings about the dangers of these self-defense keyring/self-defense keychain products. First, they may be trendy or even cute, but they can put women in more danger.
Self-Defense Keyring Dangers:
1. Trust only experts with your safety:
You should know the credentials of whoever is offering you tools to save your life. Do they have a reputable background in the safety and security market? Are they verifiable experts in the products they are pedaling, or are they selling whatever they can find cheaply? Ask for references or look for social proof, that they are knowledgeable about safety and security products.
2. Know the products:
Are you buying the right formula of self-defense spray? Know the difference between tear gas, pepper spray, and MACE. It should be OC, not CN or CS (tear gas). OC is the formula law enforcement officers and postal carriers use (it works on people and dogs). Do you know how to use the products/weapons on the keyring/keychain properly? What will the products do, and how do they work? Are they legal?
Do your homework when buying pepper spray. Check the expiration date, test the spray, and become familiar with the spray pattern before you need it. Know how far it will spray.
Although nothing is 100% effective, still do your research and only buy from reputable sources.
Many of these self-defense keychains contain a variety of items that most don’t know how to use, including a kuboton. Some of the keyrings/keychains also contain lethal weapons like knives. They require close contact which isn’t recommended.
These self-defense keychains are purchased from overseas suppliers by just anyone, from high school students, hobbyists, social media/online sellers, etc., for little to nothing. Usually, with no vetting or product testing. Most haven’t researched the products or are not able to answer questions or train on proper usage.
3. Your safety tool needs to be accessible:
Can you get to your safety tool in a hurry if you are in trouble? If your device of choice is buried on a keyring/keychain and is hard to get to, time is lost. Pom poms, sanitizer pouches, touchless pointers, etc., may be “cute,” but they obstruct the safety tool.
4. Your safety tool needs to be visible and loud to be a deterrent:
Criminals spend 7–10 seconds picking their victim. If they see that you have a safety tool in hand and ready to use, they will think twice. If they can’t see your safety tool (because it is buried on a cluttered keyring/keychain), they don’t know you are armed and prepared. Having these clunky so-called self-defense keyrings/keychains may give you a false sense of confidence yet, keep you from quickly defending yourself.
For 26 years, I have sold pepper spray, and they have been the most popular of my safety products. I completed the police academy’s pepper spray training and thoroughly vetted my suppliers.
The suppliers of my most popular products sell only to qualified security industry professionals. I offer them on my website and after my safety presentations, both virtual and in-person. Every customer gets a demonstration and instructions for proper usage, effects, legalities.
The keyring alarm/flashlight is designed to increase witness potential. It makes a lot of noise, and criminals don’t like that. It should be easily accessible and ready to use, whether pulling a cord or pushing a button to activate. It needs to be loud enough to get attention, at least 120dB. Many have flashlights for added safety.
Safety product sales should not be a “side-hustle” or part-time hobby. Instead, safety and security education, training, and products should be required to offer them, in my opinion. I vet the companies and products for my TV safety product review segments just as vigorously as I do for those who trust their safety to me.
Take your safety seriously and do your homework before buying life-saving tools.
