Awesome Safety

Long before seatbelts, airbags, and anti-lock brakes, there were plenty of well-intentioned but ill-conceived automotive safety devices. With big trucks and SUVs causing greater concerns about pedestrian safety, I Did a Thing dusted off one such invention – the Pedestrian Catcher – and tested it to see how effective it could be.

These glow-in-the-dark tags were designed to help mark gear for nighttime visibility. Each tag is made from phosphorescent, heat-resistant silicone rubber and has a reinforced cutout with a black-coated brass grommet. They can be written on with a permanent marker and are great for tagging keychains, backpacks, luggage, and anything else with a loop.

We’ve all seen those robotic vacuum cleaners. The Grain Weevil is like that, only it’s designed to safely spread out and level loose grain in silos. This hard-working little ‘bot roams around silos, zig-zagging through the grain and pushing it around with its screw drive treads and shovel. Multiple robots can also work together to maintain larger silos.

Even with the latch engaged, hotel doors aren’t as secure as you might think, and you never know what you’ll get at an AirBNB. Stinger’s pocket-sized Starship travel lock provides added security by wedging between a door lock and its strike plate. It’s easy to install and has a built-in glass breaker and seatbelt cutter tools for emergencies.

Motocross legends-in-the-making can now dress for the job they want with an exact replica of the AGV helmet used by competitors in the Moto3 World Championship. The spirited graphics on Ian Guevara’s helmet made their first appearance in his first winning race on the Motegi circuit to reflect the Spanish champ’s motto: “Life is music.”

This economical folding knife offers everyday convenience for opening boxes but could also save your life in a car crash. Its serrated and gut-hook blade edges can cut cardboard and rope and quickly saw through seatbelt webbing. It’s got a non-slip nylon fiberglass handle and a built-in key clip. Price shown is for a 2-pack.

Inspired by hi-fi tech, the bright Swedes at Bookman invented Volume Light, controlled by a Power Wheel to easily adjust five levels of brightness. Even better, the replaceable light battery recharges via USB-C while you ride, helping it win this year’s Eurobike Award at the world’s leading bike trade show.

Always be prepared wherever you travel with REDI’s Roadie emergency kit. This compact nylon pouch is packed with 113 items for administering first aid, and an everyday essentials pouch for your glovebox. It’s organized with resealable supply bags, each marked with a QR code for resupply orders. Includes mounts for your vehicle’s trunk or cargo area.

RECCO created a technology that helps rescuers find you in the event of an emergency in mountainous terrain. It uses radar waves to help detect your location, even in an avalanche. This small, inexpensive stick attaches to your pack to reflect radar waves and improve your chances of being found by a RECCO-equipped search team.

Olight’s yo-yo-shaped Gober safety light kit helps with visibility when going for a nighttime walk, run, or bike ride. It clips onto backpacks, belt loops, or dog collars and has two detachable multi-color LED light sources. Modes include a single color, RGB sequence, and SOS flashing.

Never worry about nighttime visibility on your bike again. Bright Eyes‘ headlight cranks out 1600 lumens on its high setting. Thanks to an external battery pack, it can run from 4 to 16 hours depending on brightness level. It fits all bike handlebars, and comes with a diffuser lens and a free LED taillight.

The tremendous energy released under a hydraulic press can cause some impressive explosions. In this video from the Hydraulic Press Channel, they show us what not to do when using this powerful industrial machine by placing a watermelon inches away from its destructive forces without any sort of protective gear.

This lightweight hand tool from Task Force Tips is designed for firefighters but has several features that could come in handy for other emergencies. In addition to turning fire hose couplings, it works as a pry tool, a seatbelt cutter, a glass window breaker, an oxygen cylinder wrench, and a residential gas valve shut-off tool. It’s made from durable Nylon.

The clever Lumos squad really use their heads to design smart helmets that protect cyclist noggins. Lumos is now in pre-launch phase for its next two lightweight MIPS innovations — the sleek Ultra Fly and Fly Pro — which promise to boost visibility and protection with the use of attachable Firefly lights.

Designed by former martial artist and self-defense specialist James Williams, CRKT’s Williams Tactical Key is an innocuous self-defense tool. It looks just like a key but offers a pointed end and a secure grip when needed. It also works as a Philips screwdriver. Its made from steel with a glass-reinforced nylon handle.

Bookman Urban Visibility specializes in safety accessories for nighttime bicycling, walks, and other activities. Among their wares is this compact light which clips to your zipper, bag, or belt loop. It’s fully waterproof and can run for up to 13 hours on a charge via its Micro-USB port. Comes in black, white, green, or lavender.

Preserve your noggins, people. Thousand’s Chapter Mips Helmet provides extra protection for cyclists and skaters with its Mips safety system that lessens the rotational motion of impacts. It’s a good-looking multitasker, too, with a taillight that can magnetically attach to the helmet or bike with a multi-use adapter.

You might think that towing a trailer looks pretty easy, but there’s a lot you need to be aware of to tow a payload safely. This demonstration video from Weigh Safe shows a scale pickup truck pulling a trailer with an ATV, and how important weight distribution is, especially at higher speeds. (Thanks Steve!)

This camera from Sionyx is engineered to improve nighttime safety for boaters. Its ultra-low-light BSI CMOS sensor reveals hidden obstacles even on a moonless night. Its waterproof enclosure can withstand heavy splashing, and it can output video to your boat’s multifunction display or wirelessly on your mobile device.

Forget cheap drugstore first aid kits. Be prepared for anything with this military-grade pack, which comes packed with useful emergency medical items, from bandages and splints to a stethoscope, scalpel, blood pressure cuff, burn dressings, and much more.

Flectr’s updated bike safety accessory improves nighttime visibility without impacting aerodynamics. These slimline reflectors attach to wheel spokes and weigh just 0.6 to 0.8 g. Their micro-prismatic reflectors are extremely efficient at bouncing light, ensuring you’ll be seen. Available for round or bladed spokes.

This super-bright bike light is as brilliant as some car headlights, improving nighttime safety. The Focus can blast out up to 5000 lumens on command. A remote trigger mounts on your handlebar so you can operate it without taking your hands off. It offers up to 500 high-beam flashes per charge or 20 hours in beacon mode.

Whether you’re a MotoGP champ or a well-heeled weekend biker, AGV protects you to the max with the limited-edition Pista GP RR Futuro MotoGP helmet. Matte, yet sleek AF, its extra density absorbs impact better thanks to a shell and spoiler made of forged carbon. Its Ultravision clear visor protects and offers 190º panoramic vision.