Connected Caution with This Personal Safety App

We live in a connected world; most people have their smartphones within arm’s reach at most times. Instead of just using your phone to check email, download a personal safety app to stay guarded while on the go.

The app Stay Safe, available for Android and iPhone, allows you to check in while on the way to and from work. Unlike texting, this GPS-enabled app is a more secure way to stay safe. Simply set the check-in timer for a certain amount of time — for example a 30-minute jog — and if you don’t check in after the timer is up, your pre-selected contacts receive an automatic notification about your GPS location. There is also a panic button and emergency contact feature.

Stay Safe is available for free, but only limited to one emergency contact via email. The premium version costs $6.99 and lets you add up to five contacts with text alerts and has an interactive map in addition to GPS location.

While these high-tech apps will certainly help you stay safe, they should be used sparingly. No one needs wants to get false alarms about your personal safety when you accidentally forget to check-in with your app. Overall, personal safety apps are a useful tool when employed in moderation.