3 Personal Safety Gadgets for College Students

Heading back to campus comes with more than student loans and a hefty book fee. For many students, it's the first time you're out on your own. That can be really exciting, but also a little scary in more ways than one.

Simply attending college increases the risk of sexual assault for male students by 78%, and more than one in four women experience sexual assault as undergraduates. And it's gotten worse over time—the National Center for Education Statistics reports that forcible sexual offenses have increased nearly five-fold on college campuses over the last 20 years and now comprise 44% of all campus crime.

Keep personal safety top-of-mind with the three safety essentials every student should pack this semester. They won't add much to your college costs. 

First, you want a strong, loud siren.

If nobody can hear it, it's not going to do its job. Some have multiple sirens that work on different frequencies to maximize the disruption. You can find sirens that go up to 120 dB (about as loud as a big clap of thunder, a chainsaw, or even a rowdy concert). So, not too shabby.

Be sure the alarm is easy to trigger, but not too easy. Look for one with a pull-out pin that prevents false alarms while you're rummaging through your backpack. And, like pepper spray, be sure you test your personal alarm.

Finally, check the battery life. Most personal alarms last for months or even years. The one we tested uses batteries meant to last for 12 months.

With everything else going on in your college life, you don't need to waste time stressing over safety. With our three safety must-haves (pepper spray, personal alarm, panic button app), you'll feel more prepared when you're in class, walking across campus, or coming home after a late night party.

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