Raising an alarm - Zicom's Personal Protection Devices

There is no excuse for being careless, but then humans are designed to make mistakes. Just think of the times you have fallen asleep while driving, or forgotten your credit card at a shop or lost your child in a crowd. At times precaution is the only way, as being careless could turn out to be costly. This new set of gadgets from Zicom can save you in these situations.


ANTI-SLEEP ALERT Rs 149
A black device very similar to a Bluetooth handsfree, this gadget gives out a beeping noise every time your head bends down, even if you haven’t dozed off, making sure that you attention stays on the road. At Rs 149 it is the most aggressively priced product from Zicom, but is not all hunky dory. The biggest problem is the design, as the device does not fit properly on the ear. Plus be prepared for a lot of false alarms every time you bend down. And then you have to remember and wear it everytime you drive, especially tough if you are already a bit sleepy.


CREDIT CARD ANTI-LOSS ALARM Rs 495
This is something I really want to buy. This is how the device works: You can put up to five credit cards in the holder. The device will start vibrating if you put it back in your pocket without any of the cards. But, in case the ATM machine swallows your card, you will have to come home with a vibrator in your pocket. For the price, it is a great product, but you can’t put in more that five cards and it is quite bulky to put in the wallet. But it is ideal if you carry and an additional wallet for your credit cards and have a habit of forgetting cards. But it would have been better off with an audible alarm.


KIDS ANTI-LOSS ALARM Rs 795
Get this wonderful device if you have a hyperactive toddler. The device has two units—one to put in the child’s pocket and the other for the parent. The unit with the parent starts beeping the moment the child strays more than 25 metres away. The distance can be adjusted according to your comfort level and is a good thing to have if you take you kids to malls and other crowded places.

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The above reviews appeared in the Indian Express, on Sunday 6th September 2009