safety Archives

Kim’s picks to save your vacation

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Traveling soon? Don’t leave your common sense at home. These safety gadgets aren’t “nice to haves.” They’re the kind of gear you’ll wish you got before your bag went MIA (or worse).

Before you say, “Kim, I already took my summer vacation,” perfect. This is your last shot to snag these deals before prices head north for good. Let’s get you prepped.

✈️ Jet-set tech

Juice on the go: This pocket-sized power bank (26% off) has built-in cables and a wall plug.
Spot the spy: Sniff out sketchy devices in your hotel room with a hidden camera detector (43% off).
Power without borders: Don’t be that guy caught without a plug adapter (20% off) abroad.
Privacy, please: Turn unsafe public WiFi into your own safe, encrypted network with a travel router (25% off).

💸 Outsmart digital pickpockets

Trackable & stackable: Built-in AirTag holder, RFID protection, this men’s smart wallet (33% off) feels like peace of mind.
Safety meets style: This women’s RFID wallet (24% off) is slim enough for your smallest bags.
Don’t lose your identity: An RFID blocking passport holder (6% off) is equipped for the long haul.
Hackers hate these: These data blockers ($13, four-pack) let you charge safely at public ports.

📍 Track it or lose it

Find it fast: Lost your bag? Not with an Apple AirTag (10% off). Open the Find My app and follow the dot.
Ditch the hide-and-seek: Android crew, a Tile Bluetooth tracker (7% off) is your “where’d I put that?” fixer.
Wimpy wires? Braided fast-charging cables (35% off, two-pack) won’t fray. 4.6 stars and 32,000+ reviews.
Traveling with the fam? These kids’ AirTag holders ($10, four-pack) keep track when they invisibly wander off.

🔒 Lock it down

Mini safe, big relief: Toss your valuables in a portable lock box (17% off). Set the combo and relax.
Clip it and zip it: An anti-theft backpack lock (7% off) is a must-have on busy streets.
TSA MVPs: These spill-proof toiletry bags (10% off, two-pack) let you breeze through security.
Double the defense: A portable door lock & alarm combo (16% off) is your travel-sized security system.

🧳 Pack more, stress less

Need options? I got you. This five-piece luggage set (14% off) has 4.4 stars and 27,000+ reviews.
Bye, paper tags: Hello smart QR code luggage tags (10% off, two-pack) that work with GPS.
Weigh before you go: Repacking at the check-in counter? Skip the embarrassment with a luggage scale ($11).
Buckle up: These adjustable straps ($12) add a layer of TSA-approved protection.

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We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Don’t panic. Prepare

🎥 My pick: Roku indoor camera (33% off)

“Alexa, show me my living room cam.” Plug it in, connect to Wi-Fi, and motion alerts keep you one step ahead. Bonus: HD night vision.

🔊 Personal safety alarm (25% off): Clip an instant backup to your keys. A siren and flashing strobe will draw eyes your way.

🚨 Doorstop alarm (16% off, three-pack): If anyone tries to break in, they’ll get greeted with an ear-splitting 120 dB.

💡 Clip-on flashlight (30% off): Great for late-night walks, this little guy has 10 modes, including four for emergencies.

❤️‍🩹 Wound closure strips (29% off): Think butterfly bandages, but upgraded. They do the job when the ER can’t wait.

🛟 I’m throwing you a lifeline: Build your “just in case” kit on my Amazon page. My handpicked security gear is all there.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Never get lost hiking again

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Hit the trails smarter. From AllTrails’ 450,000 mapped routes to Cairn’s safety check-ins and PeakFinder’s mountain IDs, these hiking apps turn your phone into the ultimate trail guide. Here’s what you need to know.

🔒 Big iPhone 17 security upgrade: Apple’s adding a new feature called Memory Integrity Enforcement to take on spyware. It’s always running in the background, protecting the kernel and 70+ processes, which makes stealing your data a lot tougher. The catch? It only works on the new A19 chips. Older iPhones will still get a memory safety update, but not like this.

6 feet

That’s how far we thought standing apart would save us from germs. Turns out, not so much. New research says our beloved 6-foot safety bubble might just be hot air, literally. It seems the typical indoor temps of 72°F to 86°F create a perfect petri dish for those pesky particles to lurk around your face.

✉️ Another platform, same spam: Just like LinkedIn, X lets anyone send you a message request that clutters your inbox. To stop it, go to Settings and privacy > Privacy and safety > Direct messages > Allow message requests from, and toggle No one. People you follow can still message you. While you’re there, you can also toggle off Show read receipts.

Stay safe this Labor Day

🔋 My pick: Hand-crank emergency radio (38% off)

Don’t get caught in the dark. Stay connected with NOAA alerts, an SOS alarm and even a compass.

🚨 Carbon monoxide detector (25% off): Invisible danger? Get alerts to your phone the moment CO levels rise.

🚗 Car safety hammer (27% off, two-pack): Car accidents are scary. This breaks glass and cuts seat belts, so you get out fast.

🔒 Master Lock padlock (15% off, three-pack): Back-to-school or back-to-gym? Colors may vary, but protection doesn’t.

❤️‍🩹 Emergency first aid kit (16% off, 500 pieces): Everything you need for bumps, scrapes or “oops” moments.

👉 Prep doesn’t end here: Labor Day deals mean less stressing. Grab more emergency essentials on my Amazon shop here.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Turn a tracker into a lifesaver

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Turn your AirTag or tracker into a personal safety tool. Share your location, set up check-ins, and alert loved ones instantly. Works with Apple or Android devices for peace of mind anytime, anywhere.

Check sketchy apps on Android: Before installing something from the Play Store, see what info it collects and shares. Open the app page, scroll down and tap Data Safety. You’ll find whether it gathers personal details, photos, location or financial info, and if your data is encrypted in transit.

🌪️ Turn on emergency alerts: Your phone can warn you about severe weather or local threats. On Android: Go to Settings > Notifications > Advanced settings > Wireless emergency alerts and toggle on Allow alerts. On iPhone: Go to Settings > Notifications, then under Government Alerts, switch on Emergency Alerts and Public Safety Alerts.

🙏🏻 iPhone saves teen’s life: A 16-year-old in Greenville fell asleep at the wheel and crashed, leaving her with multiple broken bones. Trapped inside her pickup, she couldn’t call for help, but her iPhone did. Crash Detection automatically dialed 911 and got rescuers there. Want the same safety net? Go to Settings > Emergency SOS and toggle on Call After Severe Crash.

Emergencies don’t wait

⚠️ Why should you? A little prep today means less panic tomorrow.

🔋 Stay tuned: Crank this emergency radio (15% off) for weather alerts, a flashlight and even to charge your phone.
Blackout backup: When the power’s out, rechargeable light bulbs (27% off, four-pack) keep shining like normal.
🚨 Sound the alarm: These smoke alarms (13% off, five-pack) work for 10 years straight. No 2 a.m. battery chirps.
Guard your goods: From birth certificates to laptops, fire- and water-resistant bags (21% off, three-pack) protect ’em.
🔥 Smother the flames: Using this fiberglass blanket (41% off) is way easier than a fire extinguisher. No training, no mess.

⛈️ Stay ready for anything: Stock up on more smart safety picks on my Amazon page. Peace of mind is just a click away.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

🚑 Add emergency contacts to your lock screen: This lets first responders call important numbers without unlocking your phone. On iPhone, go to Health > Medical ID, add your emergency contacts, and enable Show When Locked. On Android, go to Settings > Safety & Emergency > Emergency Contacts and add them there.

Hide shady content on X: Don’t want NSFW stuff popping up in your feed? Go to Settings > Privacy and safety > Content you see and turn off Display media that may contain sensitive content. Then, under Content you see, tap Search settings and switch on Hide sensitive content.

Make your X account private: Only want your followers to see your posts? Log in to X > go to More (bottom left) > Settings and privacy > Privacy and safety > Audience, media and tagging > and tick Protect your posts. On mobile, tap your profile icon and go to Settings to do the same.

📢 Check for recalls: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission site is worth checking now and then. You can search by categories, filter by date or hazard and sometimes get a refund or replacement. And if there’s ever a big recall, don’t worry, I’ll warn you here in my newsletter, too.

🏊🏼 Never saw this coming: A new male birth control pill just passed its first human safety trial, and it’s nonhormonal. Instead, it blocks sperm production by messing with vitamin A (??). It’s reversible, daily and allegedly won’t tank your mood or libido. Still extremely early days, but finally, a way for men to forget Father’s Day on purpose.

🫖 Tea gets scalding hot: An app called Tea lets you anonymously review your exes. Think: “Would not date again, bad communicator, great dog.” That five-star smile? It’s got a one-star past. The app is gaining steam with women as a dating safety tool, but critics warn it’s a defamation lawsuit waiting to happen.

🚨 Fix Or Repair Daily = Ford: Ford’s racked up 88 safety recalls in six months. That’s more than any other automaker hits in a year. Some are small issues, others are major safety flaws, including one affecting 850,000+ vehicles. The company has doubled their safety teams, tied 70% of exec bonuses to “quality,” and still, the recall parade goes on.

🚗 Keep your car safe: Download the free SaferCar app from NHTSA (on Android or iOS) to get automatic safety recall alerts. Just enter your car’s VIN, and the app will check for any existing recalls and keep an eye out for new ones. Bonus: It also helps you find nearby dealerships for repairs.