Protection With a Purpose

Safety products can be a lucrative promotional products category for distributors to offer their clients. In the workplace, safety is paramount to prevent injuries, death, and financial losses — and increases worker productivity. On a personal level, safety products protect people from harm and injury while they perform their jobs and pursue their hobbies and interests. Reflective vests, bags, earbuds, and other clothing; safety glasses; lip balms; insect repellants; armbands; pedometers; and safety whistles all fit the bill when it comes to promoting safety and well-being.

Chris Flynn of Fields Manufacturing sees more companies going the extra mile to protect their employees through safety programs and items for everyday use. “Some of this is brought on by government regulations, but from what we are hearing much of this is being done on their own accord,” he comments. “Not only is it keeping the workplace a safe environment, it is keeping it a positive environment as well.” Product demand ranges from informational pocket slide guides and safety attire to safety glasses.

At Evans Manufacturing, Jason Schmidt notes there has been an increase in reflective requirements on products including bags and fitness products. “There have been increased requests in brighter safety products for workers and event staff,” he states. “LED lighting is seen on many new products.” He adds that demand has also increased over the past year for these fitness-related products with reflectivity and LEDs.

A significant new trend in safety has emerged due to the rapidly spreading Zika virus. Paul Christensen of Natural Trends reports that the company has supplied mosquito repellent to the promotional products market for years for use at outdoor corporate events and community “fight the bite” campaigns. “But, demand escalated this year after the Center for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that the Zika virus can cause serious life altering birth defects,” Christensen elaborates. “Dr. Tom Frieden of the CDC called it ‘unprecedented’ since, ‘Never before in history has there been a situation when a bite from a mosquito can result in such a devastating scenario.’”

As a result, requests for repellent soared in 2016 and are expected to remain high in 2017 as the virus isn’t going away anytime soon, Christensen continues. “The challenge for distributors is that the most commonly used repellents contain DEET, or other synthetic chemicals, which cannot be custom branded for promo due to EPA laws.” Customers wanting a repellent container carrying their logo then turned to the natural repellent category, according to Christensen.

There are numerous new and best-selling promotional safety products on the market. At BIC Graphic, its safety pedometer not only counts steps, but has safety features like a flashlight, siren, and emergency flasher. An adjustable, safety light armband has two light settings—standard and flashing—which is suitable for early morning and/or late evening runners and walkers.

GAME Sportswear has an X-Back 5-point breakaway vest with two-inch silver/grey reflective tape with a one-inch contrasting yellow stripe as well as striping around body and over shoulders to form an “X” on the center back. Its FIRE 5-point breakaway vest also has two-inch silver/gray reflective tape with a one-half inch contrasting orange stripe and “FIRE” printed on the center back.

In addition to its safety vests, LutzCo offers a line of High Vis sweatshirts, jackets, pants, long- and short-sleeve Ts. They are available in "brite lime" and "brite orange".

Fey/Reflectix has a wide array of reflective stickers, zipper-pulls, clip-ons, bicycle safety items, pet reflectors, wristbands, armbands, reflective belts, auto safety items and more. The reflective trend is also prevalent at Evans Manufacturing with its new products. The company has introduced new reflective items including a mobile phone armband and reflective earbuds.

Fields Manufacturing has introduced an enhanced version of its safety glasses, and added six new styles of Pyramex glasses and three new styles of Carhartt glasses. All of the glasses come in a variety of colors like clear, gray, black, and blue. Fields notes that the company’s safety glasses are very stylish and resemble retail sunglasses, and are not the same glasses that make someone look as if he or she has just walked out of a high school science lab.

Zenith Promotions also has several products designed for personal safety and care. A safety whistle key chain is available in red, blue, orange, or clear. A new line of paraben-free lip balms—made from natural beeswax with aloe and vitamin E—are available in 41 flavors. They also are offered with a clip-on lanyard option.

Personal care and safety is the prime reason behind Natural Trends’ Herbal Armor insect repellant. It is DEET-free, lab tested and proven highly effective in repelling the Aedes aegypti mosquito, Christensen maintains. “Demand for the product soared due to this distinction, and the fact that the product is sweat resistant for active lifestyles, and non-irritating for those with sensitive skin has been an added bonus,” he states. “We will be gearing up for high demand of our Herbal Armor Repellent Wipes and one- and two-ounce spray bottles for 2017.”

When selling safety products to your clients, promotional product suppliers recommend showing the broad range of products that are available. Schmidt at Evans Manufacturing believes in emphasizing the health aspects of personal safety products. “Busy people are out exercising when they can often this is during the morning or evening when there is little daylight,” he says. “Products that reflect or emit light will quickly be used. Show your customers you care about their well being as much as their business.”

Field Manufacturing’s Fields expands on these sentiments, concluding, “It is one thing to provide an individual with information, but when you also give them the tools to put it into action, this is when you see your desired results.”

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Daughter Drives Dad-Designed Safety Gadget

Josette Bosse of Bay State Specialty Company shares the story behind one of its new safety products—an outlet cover. “The D412 was designed by a dad who experienced a need for this item,” she explains. “He was vacuuming and he took a smaller safety cap out of the outlet and plugged in the vacuum. His daughter had grabbed and swallowed the small cap, and it got lodged in her throat. He was able to resuscitate her—and managed to get the small object out of her—but was scared to death by it. He then invented a larger piece and drilled holes to allow for air passage if ingested.” The D412 meets pacifier standards for children. It also protects outlets from objects being accidentally inserted into them, provides safety from unintended electrical shocks; reduces air flow for increased energy efficiency, and reduces risk of insect infestation.