A beneficial safety protection service using a smartphone app monitors a person walking alone. Just in the U.S., over 40,000 children and 1.3 million women are abducted or raped each year. Wouldn’t it be nice if these terrible acts could be prevented and cause less worries for parents, spouses, and their children?
Lifeline Response has a smartphone app which contacts a national call center in the event of an impending attack. Several protection methods are used: 1) holding your thumb on the smartphone display, or 2) selecting an icon and secret code, or 3) using an adjustable timer to alert the call center if the user is attacked. If the thumb is removed by force, within 20 seconds the call center returns the alert asking if everything is OK and requests a security code. If no response or the wrong response, the local public safety authorities are notified in seconds with the smartphone location and owner’s information.
The app also creates a squealing sound, flashing light show, and gives an audio message to let the attacker know that an alert has been sent to the local authorities of the crisis.
Many U.S. universities provide this service at no cost for their students and staff. However, individuals or groups can also purchase the service for $4 per month (special offer). This is a low cost and beneficial safety insurance for your children or adults walking by themselves. Lifeline calls it peace of mind with over 1.9 million people currently using this service. For more information, please visit Lifeline Response’s website at http://llresponse.com. Another great innovation for protecting people in this unpredictable world.
~ Bob Larson is a technologist, photo journalist, and Marketing Director for 50Plus Media Solutions.