Essentials For a Safety Kit to Keep With You

A Review by Tracey Boyer 

Everyday life is very busy for most people.  It is common for most people to visit at least six different places every day; some people visit many more than six...

Work, cleaners, grocery store, pick up kids, piano lesson, gas station, shoe store

or

Drop kids at school, clothing store, fruit market, take cat to the vet, go to son's soccer game, restaurant pick up for dinner, PTA meeting, stop for coffee

With all the places that people go every day, it's smart to carry some essential items with you that would help in difficult or even extreme situations.  It is easier than you think, and also take up much less room that you would believe.  Safety items that will help in most any situation can be stored in a ladies makeup bag to carry in a purse or backpack, or to keep in a car's glove compartment.  I have been carrying one in my purse for years.

What Can You Carry in a Bag That Small, 

That Would Be So Important?

Contents of my Safety Kit

This is a general list of what I carry. The red pouch is where I keep my first aid items.  You will need to think about your own life and what items you may need to add to take care of situations that are specific to your life.  

First Aid Items - alcohol wipes, band aids, aspirin.  (May include prescriptions if there are some that must be taken at specific times)

Solar Powered Phone Charger - If your car battery is dead and so is your phone battery, this charger will save the day.

Swiss Army Knife - many tools in one small package

Ponytail Holder with Bobby Pins - great for hair use or for wrapping something together or picking locks!

Dental Floss - Very strong for tying things together in a pinch and there is a lot of it, in a very small container. 

Travel Size Hand Lotion - good for everything from burns to removing rings that are stuck on a finger.

Chapstick - great for your lips as well as greasing things like screws that don't want to go in their proper place.

Safety Pins - the uses for these are too numerous to mention.  Carry at least a dozen!

Lighter - This is something no one should be without. It can not only start fires, it can also heat metal so it can be bent, melt plastic or burn through strapping that can't be cut.  Make sure to have one in your bag.

Small Flashlight - You do not want to run down your phone's battery using it for a light, so have a small flashlight in your bag in case you are ever stuck in the dark.

Pen and Small Pad of Post It Notes - You never know when you will need to leave a note, or give someone important information.

Pepper Spray - I usually have two small pepper sprays.  I keep one in the outside zipped compartment of my purse and one in my safety bag.

What Kind of Bag is Best?

I bought a fairly large make up bag (7" x 8") with three zippered compartments.  It has been a while, so I don't remember where I bought it but it looks like this:

My Safety Kit

It fits well in all my purses and I also bought one to put in my husband's truck.  It fits without a problem in his glove box and still leaves lots of room for the rest of the junk that he has in there!

I know that many of my readers are probably thinking....is this really necessary?  My answer to that is no one knows.  If it isn't necessary and you have it on hand, what's the harm?  However, if it is needed and you don't have it, the results could be terrible.  I have used my bag for things as mundane as pinning together a shirt when I lost a button to as scary a thing as pepper spraying a creepy guy at a gas station that kept insisting he needed a hug.   So I would say.....

It is better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it!

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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A Decorative Safety Handrail for Front Porch Steps

We should have installed a handrail for our front porch steps decades ago!

When we were younger, we could manage the stairs without an issue, but as we've aged, not so much. Also, the handrail provides additional safety during those long winter months.

We noticed our neighbor installed a handrail; of course, we liked it and thought it would also match nicely with our home. They informed us they acquired it from Amazon and forwarded the purchase link.

7 Features That Make This Handrail Awesome

1. It is Anodized Aluminum which makes it more corrosion resistant than regular aluminum
2. The satin black color matches our existing black porch railing
3. It was a quick delivery from Amazon (for our home location)
4. It meets commercial strength building codes
5. My husband appreciated that the brackets pivoted to align with the studs, which according to him, made the installation a lot easier
6. There's an anti-slip vinyl insert that installs underneath the round top part of the railing giving the railing an excellent secure grip when holding on
7. We required the 4ft railing to extend down from the top of the porch to the bottom of the third step, and it did so perfectly!

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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1byone Wireless Driveway Alarm Review

Give the Gift of Home Security for Less Than $20

A few years ago at Christmas, one of our thoughtful sons gave us the gift of a 1byone Wireless Driveway Alarm. Having lived here with us for most of his life, he was well aware that sometimes visitors made it all the way to the porch before we had any idea there was someone walking or even driving down our long, rather secluded driveway. What a great gift idea!

After using the alarm for just a short time, not only were we glad we had it, we knew that we never wanted to be without it. Let me tell you about this wireless driveway alarm that we still own, use every day, and highly recommend.

The brand name of the unit we own is 1byone (one by one) and the cost for the motion sensor detector and the receiver system is less than twenty dollars (currently $15.99 as I type this, price subject to change). Even adding the cost of the batteries needed to power the unit, the word "cheap" comes to mind, but I don't want to give you the idea that this is an inferior product as it certainly is not.

How Does the 1byone Wireless Driveway Alarm Work?

On the left is a photo of the weatherproof motion sensor with its passive-infrared (PIR) technology mounted on a tree partway down our long driveway. When a car comes down the driveway, the unit senses both a change in temperature and motion, the light on the unit flashes as it sends a signal to the receiver inside the house, and both the alarm and the light on our unit give us a signal that we should take a look outside to see who or what has set off the alarm.

On the right are pictures of the receiver which we keep in a convenient spot on a counter where we can both see it and hear it. The unit is on and, as you can see in the photo on the bottom right, is set in the low volume chime mode. Trust me, "low" is plenty loud enough that we can hear it throughout our entire house. If we used the receiver outdoors, for instance if we moved it to the back porch while we were working in the garden, we might set it to make more noise. In some situations, we might turn off the audible signal altogether and just use the light.

In our situation, one sensor for the driveway and one receiver for the house are all we need. However, the device is expandable so that, if you have more than one driveway or area to cover, you can add on multiple sensors and/or receivers. One reviewer uses a set indoors, with the sensor in a child's bedroom and the receiver in the parents' room, so that they can tell if their toddler gets up during the night. Another reviewer uses a set by the back door so he'll know when the dogs are at the door, ready to come back in for the night. With some creative thinking, perhaps you'll come up with even more great ideas on where to set up your driveway alarm system even if you don't have a driveway!

How Long Will This Inexpensive Alarm System Last?

We received our driveway alarm three years ago and it worked perfectly until about six months ago when, thanks to squirrels (we think), the outside unit became undependable. Rather than replacing just the sensor, I simply ordered an entire new system. As for battery life, we have changed the batteries about once a year.

What About False Alarms From the Motion Detector?

Yes, we occasionally get false alarms. Our sensor is mounted on an oak tree and deer love to eat acorns, so recently, as the acorn crop was plentiful this year, visiting deer set off the alarm on a regular basis. We are aware that deer cross our driveway frequently, so we take that into consideration when checking outside after the alarm sounds. We occasionally notice squirrels in the area, too, and occasionally a neighborhood dog passes by. Neither set off the alarm often enough that we complain. An occasional false alarm from our wildlife neighbors is expected and we're fine with that.

Heat is another factor that affects the sensor and can cause false alarms. It is advised that you don't install the sensor in an area that gets direct sunlight, including near a window that absorbs heat that might set off the alarm.

Occasionally, on a particularly windy day, we turn off the alarm to avoid false alarms from blowing leaves or tree limbs. Living in a wooded area, that is just a factor we have to consider and work around.

Would You Buy This Driveway Alarm Again?

Overall, I'd rather have occasional false alarms than not have the driveway alarm. I've come to depend on it when expecting visitors and, especially, when unexpected visitors or delivery drivers arrive.

I like to know anytime someone is coming or going and since I can't watch outside all the time, and because our trusty watchdog isn't always on duty (lots of naps, you know), I am thankful that the 1byone Wireless Driveway Alarm is always on the job.

So yes, I would buy it again and I definitely recommend it to others who care about keeping themselves and their loved ones safe.

P.S. Just a reminder that a driveway alarm system would make a wonderful gift for someone whose safety you care about. This is one of the most thoughtful gifts we've ever received. 

~Susan
Read more of my reviews.
Read even more great product reviews at ReviewThisProductReviews.com

Posted by Susan Deppner

About the Author

Susan Deppner is a baby boomer, a cancer survivor, and a Southerner who believes in the Golden Rule. She enjoys writing about food, faith, and fitness; health, home, and holidays; people, places, pets, and patriotism, and more. Follow Susan on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Trackimo - An Excellent Personal GPS Tracker

Do you have problems finding lost belongings? Are you anxious about pets or family members who may wander? The Trackimo may be the perfect solution to end your worries.  The Trackimo is an international GPS tracking gadget that is affordable, very easy to use, and works great.  If you need to find something or someone, need someone to be able to alert you if they are in trouble, or have a potentially problem driver driving your car, this may be the answer.

I have thought about purchasing a GPS tracker for a few years.  I've wanted one for my dogs, when we are in the woods. But reliable tracking dog collars  have been expensive - and can only be used on your dog. I've also wanted one for the vehicle I own but don't drive.  But most of those GPS trackers somehow need to be installed in the fuse panel, or need to be wired into the system.  And also have monthly subscription fees.

Then I learned about the Trackimo by watching a video of a gentleman who finds his drones when they go down.  He gave such a thorough and excellent review that I had to get one for myself.

Trackimo

My Truck

I own and am financially responsible for truck that I don't drive. At times, it received tickets for speeding or parking in questionable areas. I ended up paying for the tickets.  After time, I realized that I need to know the location of the truck until which time I'm not longer financially responsible for it.

I was so impressed by this gadget.  The Trackimo is not weather-proof.  However, it does come with a rubberized skin to help protect it.  When I had ordered the Trackimo, I had also ordered a really big, magnetized key holder - the type placed under cars for the spare key - because I did not expect the Trackimo to have a strong enough magnet for my purposes. But I was wrong. The Trackimo is plenty strong!

I followed the charging and setup directions.  I also started my account on the Trackimo website. And found the site really easy to use. I drove around for days, with it attached to the painted metal inside my Jeep.  Yes, it does send an alert when speeding.  I tested that out almost immediately by accident.  I intentionally placed it on my door (on the inside) and slammed the door shut when exiting.  I expected it to pop off. But it remained where I had placed it.  

I was ready for the real test.  I placed it under the bumper of the truck. The Trackimo tracked it very well.  Day after day I got reliable information about the location of my truck.  I only have a few cautions - depending on how you need to use it - and am listing those thoughts below.  Concerned about it during all of our rainy weather, I then began to place it under the bed rail.  It worked just as well there. 

My Trackimo in the rubberized cover

My Dog

As soon as I decide how I want to attach it to my dog, he will be wearing it when he's in the woods. My only hesitance comes from not wanting him to get snagged on trees.  I currently take off his collar or harness completely when he's in the woods.  However, if he were wearing the Trackimo, and was snagged, I could find him to release him.  

I am considering making an elasticized collar for him, with a Trackimo pocket.

Other Uses for Trackimo

Tracking

I mentioned the gentelman who uses the Trackimo to locate and retrieve his downed drones.  I think this would be a perfect way to track your teenager who is borrowing your car. Because the Trackimo is not permanately attached, you can move it easily to whichever car the teen is driving that day.  I also think it's a great tracker for your elderly family members who may become lost or your younger children who are walking down to the local playground - and you want to know where they are.

I think this would be a great item to place in checked baggage.  If a bag is ever again "lost" for a long period of time, I could tell Amtrak (insert: airlines) where to begin their search!  

Signaling for Help

This device comes with a SOS signal. If the button is pressed for four seconds, you receive a signal. And can see the location of the device. If your child pushes the button for help, you will receive that call for help. If your teenager has had an accident, and they want your help but can't describe their location, you will know where they are. If your elderly family member can remember things except their location, they can feel more confident knowing you are a button-push away.

The Drawbacks

It is not water-proof. While mine weathered the rain nicely, I'm not sure how it would have done on the dog in a rainstorm. 

Depending on how often you set the tracking (as often as every minute), the device will need to be charged up to every day or two.  Not practical for your business vehicle that an employee may have for a few days at a time. (I charged my Trackimo every evening and placed it again every morning).

In some areas, the "triangulation" problems may present a brief problem with accuracy. I live near Chesapeake Bay. When the truck was closest to the water, the map would sometimes have a warning that the device was traingulating for a more accurate location. During these moments, the "you are here" icon would blink up to about a mile from where the truck was located.  However, these moments were brief and only showed on the map during real-time tracking.  This inaccurate moments did not show up on the tracking history map.

Even though my Trackimo stuck to the painted surface of my Jeep without problems, I would always look for a more "bare" metal surface area - to ensure a strong bond.

Reasons to use the Trackimo 

Find belongings
Find your vehicle
Know where your elderly, young, and teen family members are
Track your dog
Know how responsibly your teen driver is driving
Cheap and Easy (I paid $139 for mine, with no subscription or hidden costs for a year)
Free Android (and iphone) apps 

I am not technologically savvy.  I usually can't get those "plug and play" computer things to work without help. But this thing was ridiculously easy. Because I'm not very good at gadgets, I'm including the following videos that are very helpful. 

** Warning -- Stalking and similar things are against the law. I would not advise using this to track you neighbor, boyfriend, girlfriend, enemy, frenemy, or secret crush.  Just don't do it. **


Related Videos:

Trackimo Advertising

How to setup Trackimo

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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