Rolling Stone

Sales of Personal Safety Devices Soaring as People Stock Up for Self-Defense.

Read the full article at rollingstone.com.

It isn’t just self-defense products that are seeing a rise in popularity — sales are also up at GetFlare.com, where co-founders Quinn Fitzgerald and Sara Dickhaus de Zarraga says orders of their Flare safety bracelet have grown “over 30x” since launching last February, with the bracelet selling out three times.

Flare is a piece of super wearable jewelry that doubles as an emergency alarm of sorts. “Disguised” as a beaded bracelet or cuff, a hidden button on the back connects to your phone, to let you discreetly alert authorities if you are in danger. Your phone can immediately dial 911 while sending through your GPS location. You can also press and hold the button to send a text to your friends and family. Or, tap once to get an “incoming call” that you can use as an excuse to leave a potentially dangerous situation.

While the surge in crime and violence has led to an increase in people thinking about self-defense, Fitzgerald and Dickhaus de Zarraga say having the tools to stay safe — and feel safe — is something people are constantly searching for. “To be frank, we don’t attribute this growth to our safety changing or getting worse,” they says; “it is because safety is a very universal need that way too many people feel every single day.”

“The rates of violence, especially against women and marginalized communities, generally have remained consistent. What is changing is that people are talking about how they experience safety more. It is rightfully getting more attention,” the two add. “As survivors who believe that products like our own shouldn’t have to exist, we are encouraged by everyone who is speaking up and standing up.”

“When safety is on the line, you want the absolute best product in your hand,” says Angron. “It should be portable, easy to use, and effective when you need it.”

The team behind Flare, meantime, says that a personal safety device is just “one tool in your safety tool belt” that should also include a working (and fully charged) phone to call for help, a self-defense tool, and something to “help you get out or call for backup at any point in a situation, whether it’s an emergency or you are just getting an iffy vibe.”