Buying a personal safety alarm

[Rose65]

After worrying about dangerous dogs while out walking, I decided to buy a personal alarm from Amazon. I figured it could be just the thing to deter any threatening dog or indeed a human attacker.
However, I see it's 130 decibels and thinking about it, I am frightened to even test the thing! Surely that is an extremely damaging level of noise for my own ears? I had tinnitus which has gone now but I definitely don't want to trigger it off again. I'm nervous about the alarm going off accidentally or me not being able to get the pin back in.

Has anyone got such an alarm, if so, what do you think of it?

 

[MarciKS]

maybe some lightweight ear plugs just in case when you're on your walk? i understand cuz certain noise levels hurt my ears bad.

 

[birdy]

My friend bought one and set it off in a zoom meeting to test it (yeah, thanks for that). We all agreed it was loud. She bought one at QVC and one on Amazon. Anyway, I think she is happy with them.

 

[Rose65]

maybe some lightweight ear plugs just in case when you're on your walk? i understand cuz certain noise levels hurt my ears bad.

Good idea.
It's just that level of alarm is actually very dangerous indeed. I see some alarms are 140 decibels or even more.

 

[Rose65]

My friend bought one and set it off in a zoom meeting to test it (yeah, thanks for that). We all agreed it was loud. She bought one at QVC and one on Amazon. Anyway, I think she is happy with the

 

[hollydolly]

We had one each at work...yes they're loud but that's the whole point of them... and the pin goes back in very easily to shut it off...

if you don't want it and you still need to protect yourself from dogs.. carry a cane... hit a dog smartly over the snout if it attacks

 

[old medic]

Mine is around 160 decibels, but its pointed away from me. No pin, and its reloadable.

 

[Rose65]

Mine is around 160 decibels, but its pointed away from me. No pin, and its reloadable.

That is incredibly loud. Nobody seems at all concerned about the damage to their own ears if that alarm went off and stayed on for any length of time.

 

[Nathan]

Pepper spray works for dogs, muggers and bears*

*Get the Extra Spicy pepper spray for bears.

 

[Rose65]

Pepper spray works for dogs, muggers and bears*

*Get the Extra Spicy pepper spray for bears.

Cannot get anything like that here in the UK.

 

[Jules]

carry a cane... hit a dog smartly over the snout if it attacks

This.

That is incredibly loud. Nobody seems at all concerned about the damage to their own ears if that alarm went off and stayed on for any length of time.

If you really need to use it, the decibels won’t be an issue. You’ll be thankful.

Carry a whistle. It’s lightweight and gets attention. It can even startle a dog.

 

[hollydolly]

This.

If you really need to use it, the decibels won’t be an issue. You’ll be thankful.

Carry a whistle. It’s lightweight and gets attention. It can even startle a dog.

not really the whistle... My daughter is a dog trainer.. and she wouldn't recommend a whistle against an attacking dog...

 

[old medic]

Cannot get anything like that here in the UK.

UK.... well you cant mine either

 

[Trish]

not really the whistle... My daughter is a dog trainer.. and she wouldn't recommend a whistle against an attacking dog...

Interesting because, reading this thread, I did wonder whether a loud alarm would make an aggressive dog even more exciteable?

Pepper spray is banned in the UK but, years ago when I was out more in the evenings, my friends and I used to always carry a small can of hairspray in our bags which, is quite painful if sprayed in the eyes.

 

[Rose65]

Interesting because, reading this thread, I did wonder whether a loud alarm would make an aggressive dog even more exciteable?

Pepper spray is banned in the UK but, years ago when I was out more in the evenings, my friends and I used to always carry a small can of hairspray in our bags which, is quite painful if sprayed in the eyes.

I carry a small hairspray and a detergent spray.
I've returned the alarm and got a refund.

 

[Pepper]

What a smart idea to be able to use such a thing in case of danger. I have no need for it, I'm always surrounded by people on the streets and don't go out alone at night, but it's a great thing, I think.