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Personal safety concerns are a part of everyday life. Whether at work, home, or otherwise, avoiding harmful situations and preserving physical and mental health is an ever-existing need. With the Covid-19 pandemic, the personal safety requirements are even more demanding. According to recent research by SafeWise, 6 in 10 Americans are very worried about the pandemic, with 4 in 10 believing it has affected their personal safety.
So what's the solution?
An obvious one is to improve personal safety. But how can a person go about it? It is a task that requires regular efforts in our daily activities. This translates into more time and commitment you might not have. Luckily, personal safety apps have eased the process. These apps allow you to get help in emergencies or when you feel unsafe with just a click.
Before we explore how these tools can improve your safety: let's look at the current state and the future of health and safety.
Most personal safety and health trends relevant for 2021 were born last year. They include social distancing, remote work, and the increased need for personal protective equipment. These practices have changed the way we protect ourselves today. Here are some other trends aimed at strengthening health and safety.
In 2021, companies are leveraging tools to ensure occupational health. Gartner reports that 79% of workers are using collaboration tools in 2021. That is a 44% increase since the pandemic began. These tools limit face-to-face interactions, containing the spread of Covid-19.
Other technologies are helpful as well. With wearables, you can trace and alert Covid-19 exposed workers to self-isolate or go for testing. It is also valuable in monitoring body vitals to determine fatigue, dehydration, and more. On a personal level, an individual can use personal safety apps to track and alert their loved ones to medical emergencies or distress.
Social distancing has helped curb the spread of the virus. Yet, the minimal physical interactions and social activities pose risks to mental health. Coupled with the personal losses from the pandemic, it's little wonder why psychological wellbeing is at risk. That said, advocating for mental health is now more critical than ever. Seeking professional help is key. However, if you can’t directly access a professional, you could take advantage of personal safety apps to help with mental health issues.
Carrying out an event or training during the pandemic poses a health risk across all businesses. In industries such as healthcare and manufacturing, where workers are exposed to other potentially unsafe conditions, ensuring occupational safety and health can also be challenging. These concerns have boosted virtual training. Companies use virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to simulate real-life scenarios in a controlled environment. This practice ensures that workers will access immersive experiences without the actual risks of close contact.
The future of health and safety depends heavily on the current conditions. This means that the Covid-19 pandemic, technological advancements, and changing expectations are key factors that would drive personal safety in the coming year. With that in mind, some 2022 emerging trends in health and safety are:
With rapid technological advancements, tools like safety risk assessment software, wearables, personal safety apps, and VR are on the rise. This applies to services too. According to Verified Market Research, the global safety service market size will grow at a CAGR of 11.06% from 2019, reaching $4.63 billion by 2026. This projection shows that technologies will continue to create new opportunities in how we manage safety.
Shifting expectations is another trend shaping the future of health and safety. This year, the hybrid work model has gained momentum. Improved health protocols, work-life balance, and workplace safety programs are also a trend. What comes next depends on the outlook of the pandemic and behavioral changes. With this in mind, building processes or tools that will support better ways to keep people well and safe is vital.
Outside the workplace, there are still several daily activities that may place people in potentially unsafe situations. It could be as simple as late-night runs or a bit grand like blind dates. It could also be an unplanned situation such as a health emergency. To improve personal safety in these scenarios, it’s beneficial to have small, mobile, customizable, and reliable monitoring and/or alerting tools. That's where personal safety mobile apps come in.
Personal safety apps have a range of safety features that allows users to alert their emergency contact when they're in distress. The selected contact could be your family members and trusted friends. If you're feeling unsafe or in danger, you press a panic button. Depending on your alert type, this button could trigger various actions like:
Automated phone calls and text messages informing your emergency contacts you need help.
GPS tracking that shares your location with them
Alarms or loud noises to alert bystanders and your contacts
Fake calls to your phone to help you get out of uncomfortable situations
Automated social media posts with an emergency message.
Calling 911 or other emergency services
Audio and video live-streaming so your loved ones can see what's happening in real-time.
These features may vary across apps. Essentially, personal safety apps make it possible for you to alert your emergency contacts about potential danger and get help in emergencies.
In terms of preventive measures, personal safety apps are helpful too. Some apps rely on setting periodic check-ins with the app when you enter a potentially dangerous area. Others, like AllsWell Alert, additionally monitor your inactivity according to the activity schedule that you set up to ensure your emergency contacts will be alerted even in an unfortunate case when you’re not able to press a panic button.
AllsWell Alert is a personal safety app for people living, traveling, or commuting alone. What makes Allswell Alert different from other personal safety apps is a useful combination of the panic button, inactive monitoring, and secure GPS tracking with no infringing on a person's privacy. That’s why it’s an excellent choice for independent adults who want mobile app safety monitoring without compromising their privacy.
Inactivity monitoring is a feature that tracks a user's activity with their smartphone. It could be simple interaction like a tap or a screen unlock to show that the user is well and safe. In scenarios like medical emergencies, a user may not be able to press a panic button. If they live alone and cannot call for help, it may prove life-threatening. AllsWell Alert provides a solution to this problem.
In 2022, personal safety will remain a priority in our daily activities. Because of its importance to your wellbeing, you cannot afford to ignore it. Select a reliable safety app catering to your needs, stay updated on trends, and follow the best health practices. With precaution measures in place, you and your loved ones will stay safe and well while keeping their peace of mind.
How about you try AllsWell Alert for a month? The first one is free!