Posted on Aug 24th, 2022

Over half of Americans feel like they’re in imminent danger at least once a day. A new poll of 2,000 Americans analyzed how they feel about their personal safety and found 52 percent feel on edge every day.

Younger Americans were the most likely to feel concerned about their safety on a daily basis – with 75 percent of those between 25 and 34 agreeing with this statement compared to just 50 percent of those 45 to 54.

Dark streets and sidewalks trigger their anxiety the most, followed by neighborhoods they aren’t too familiar with. Next in line were parking garages and riding alone in a rideshare or taxi. Speaking of rideshare services, 39 percent of respondents completely avoid them because they don’t feel safe taking them. This jumps to 50 percent for those between 25 and 34.

Top safety tip: share your location

Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Arlo, the survey asked respondents what tips and tricks they use to make themselves feel safer and found 56 percent share their location with someone “just in case.” Gen Z and millennial respondents were the most likely to use this tactic, with 62 percent of those between 18 and 24 and 65 percent of those 25 to 34 sharing their location with someone.

Respondents also revealed the top things they’ll have on their person for safety and peace of mind while traveling. The most popular items are pepper spray (40%) and a personal safety app on their phone (40%). One in three respondents have an alert button or device as well as a self-defense keychain.

The top safety measure Americans take when they meet someone new is linking up in a public place (58%), followed by sharing their location with someone (43%). In fact, the average respondent shares their location when meeting someone new three times a month. Americans between 25 and 34 are the most cautious when it comes to this – sharing they do this an average of five times a month.

“Communicating your whereabouts with a trusted contact is a simple tactic to enable a greater sense of security,” says Lily Knowles, SVP of Marketing and Customer Care for Arlo, in a statement. “The survey results illuminate an uneasy population, further underscoring the need to prioritize personal safety – both on-the-go and at home.”

Nervous in our own homes?

The survey also asked respondents about their safety in the comfort of their own homes and found 42 percent don’t feel safe when they’re home alone. Forty-five percent avoid living on the ground or first floors of apartment buildings out of fear of home invasions.

To combat this, 46 percent of respondents have a home security system – and younger respondents were the most likely to have a system. Sixty percent of those between 25 and 34 years-old have a home security system, followed by 57 percent of 35 to 44-year-olds and 55 percent of 18 to 24 year-olds.

A home security system is the top safety measure Americans take in their homes, followed by getting a dog and installing cameras or motion lights.

“Feeling safe is a fundamental need we all share, and the good news is that there’s many precautionary measures people have nowadays to take charge of their personal safety and security of their home and loved ones,” Knowles says. “From installing smart security systems and cameras at home, to using a personal safety app for direct access to emergency help on-the-go, there’s a range of advanced technologies that leverage AI or live support to not only bring peace of mind, but provide essential assistance when it’s needed most.”

Source: Study Finds

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