NEW YORK — 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.”
Where did they take this study? Sounds like they only questioned people in large crime ridden cities. Try polling those of us in flyover country and the results would surely be different. No mention of anyone over 55 which makes their methods questionable.
I’m never afraid. I live in a small town in Wisconsin.
The good news, the article says, is that there are so many ways people can protect themselves, such as buying a security system. It’s sad that Americans take their own violence and criminality for granted. There are lots of countries in the world where the people do not need to prepare for running street battles just to walk to the grocer.
America is quickly becoming the Unbearable Country. And nobody is killing and terrifying Americans faster than the Americans themselves. Good bye, and thanks for the democracy.
It would be nice if studyfinds a link to the data.
Have none of these children heard of a handgun?
If you are anywhere near a liberal, you are in grave danger of losing your rights, religion, freedom, sexuality, and becoming a moron.
Agree
If you are anywhere near a liberal, you are in grave danger of losing your rights, religion, freedom, sexuality, and getting killed by a criminal with a gun because you can no longer own one and defend yourself. You also immediately lose 50 IQ points being within earshot of a liberal.
Truth. Everyone becomes dumber being exposed to these people.
Only thing I’m scared of is how crazy the democrats are going to get. Will they continue down this dark path and build gulags?
Bunch of pussies.
I’m in a state with stand your ground laws and I have my cc permit. No troubles here.
A lot of those younger people living in fear were screaming “Defund the Police” the loudest…………………..
Afraid? Move to a red state or rural area.
I live in a rural area. Our elected sheriff puts problem people in the county jail. Bigger problems go to prison. It’s amazing how much the crime rate drops when criminals are punished. And while in jail, there are no repeat offenses.
I lived in China for over 17 years. I walked the streets at all hours of the day and night, sometimes even inebriated and I was never robbed.
I now live in America and every time I venture outside I see scheit happening on the streets.
What the f bomb happened to my country?
How did you kill all the white people in the US?
Huh?
In God we trust. Fear is used by satan to create chaos. Read and study the Constitution of the United States of America and how it was formed. Go to Bible study and learn about spiritual warfare and how to defeat satan (fear)
Hey, everyone! This study was commissioned by a company called Arlo that makes home security systems. Of course they are going to find evidence of anxiety and insecurity. And, oh gee, they also found that home security systems help respondents feel safe. What a shock!
My high school English teacher taught me to always ask “who funded this study” before looking at the results. This is clearly not a credible study!
Hilarious!
I now live in a small town one of those red fly over states that most of America finds repulsive, which I hope that feeling continues for many years. People here are salt of the earth, but mostly harmless. We can still go to the grocery store (4 minutes away) and leave our front door open. It’s sometimes feels like I’m still living in the 1970s. I love it.
This article intentionally leaves out any concealed carry demographics, the locations of those who feel most threatened (cities that don’t ‘allow’ gun possession I presume) and is clearly written to foster the fear of those inclined to be fearful.
We live in a world where couch hugging, bubble dwelling millennials are afraid of their own shadow. This can’t be due to them being coddled all their lives by an education system that puts inclusion over real education, could it? Grow up you pathetic little turd sniffers.
I strongly recommend buying a firearm for the home safety part. I do not feel safe with big tech or big brother wired up at my house. Alexa or Google won’t keep me safe if the boogeyman is in the house but i assure Mr. 9milli will do just fine.