11 Ways Your Cell Phone Can Be Used As a Safety Device

At one time or another most people have experienced the feeling of being watched or followed while being alone. Your cell phone can be used as a safety device if ever you need some support during these moments. Here are 11 ways that your phone can assist you in the event of an emergency. 

1. Call 911

This may seem obvious, but if you ever fear for your safety, trust your instinct and call law enforcement. 

1. Android Safety Assistance

Enable emergency mode on your Android phone. You can activate emergency mode by selecting “Settings → System → Safety Assistance.” Safety Assistance can access Emergency Mode, Geo News, Send Help Messages, and Manage Primary Contacts.  Safety assistance can perform the following changes to your phone when activated:

• Emergency mode battery conservation:

  • Changes your phone screen color to grayscale

  • Limits mobile applications to personalized preselected essential applications

  • Disables mobile data when your screen is not in use

  • Disables connectivity features including wi-fi and Bluetooth

• Geo News will send you notifications about extreme weather conditions.

• The Send Help Messages tool will send an alert text message to your preselected “Primary Contact.” You can enable this feature by pressing the power key quickly three times.

• Emergency call buttons are located on Android phone home screens. 

1. iPhone and Apple Watch Safety Assistance

By pressing the volume button and the side button of the iPhone or the Apple Watch at the same time while holding, you can activate the emergency SOS menu with an option to dial emergency services. 

1. Program Emergency Numbers

Program the phone numbers of family, friends, and emergency services into your device for quick access during emergency situations. 

1. Alternative Devices & Burner Phones

If you think or feel that you may encounter a crime it may be beneficial to keep a burner phone or alternative device in a secret location or with a trusted person. 

1. Camera

If you are feeling threatened by another person, you can take a photo of the individual for your records. If applicable, consider photo capturing their vehicle, license place, or accomplices. This can be especially helpful to document stalker behavior. 

1. Live Stream

If you are witnessing or experiencing a crime and you need more witnesses to support you by notifying emergency contacts or law enforcement, you can broadcast the occurrence in live time via a live streaming application.

1. GPS

You can use Google Maps and “Find my Device” to share your location with a trusted person. If you feel that your safety is at risk the trusted person would be able to track your phone location by using GPS tracking apps. 

1. Safety Mobile Applications

There are many safety applications you can use with your mobile device. These apps range from “locate my car” GPS apps to personal safety and SOS apps such as: bSafe, Hollie Guard, Walk Safe, One Scream, and Kittestring. 

1. Self Defense Object

Ultimately your phone is a firm object that can be used as a weapon. If you are forced to fight your attacker in close range, you can use your phone to strike an attacker in one or more self-defense striking points. Striking points are the eyes, temples, nose, ears, throat, solar plexus, knees, and groin. You can even use your cell phone as a “palm stick” in the event of an attack. For more information research “palm stick” and “self defense striking points” on youtube. Remember, it is best to run from your attacker at the earliest opportunity rather than continue to fight. 

1. Prop

If you are feeling threatened, you can pretend to call law enforcement even if your phone is completely out of batteries. It may be one way to distance yourself from an attacker until you can make a quick run for it. 

While it is better to run from a physical altercation than to engage in one, sometimes victims of crime are forced to physically defend themselves. Self defense classes are available in most communities. Consider taking a self defense course near you. 

To visit the Safety Section of the NCTCC App and get more information on Stalking/Harassment, download the NCTCC Victim Service Mobile Application at nctcc.org/nctcc-app or search for “nctcc” in the Google Play or Apple Store.

11 Ways Your Cell Phone Can Be Used As a Safety Device