Top 10 Apple Watch Safety Features You Should Enable Today

By Dr Kelvin, October 20, 2023

The Apple Watch has revolutionized the way we interact with technology, health, and our safety. While many users appreciate its fitness tracking, messaging, and music capabilities, the safety features of the Apple Watch are equally worth noting. This guide delves into the top 10 safety features of the Apple Watch that you should enable today. Optimized for SEO, this comprehensive article is designed to enhance your understanding of each feature and how it can make a difference in your daily life.

1. Emergency SOS: A Lifeline at Your Wrist

Emergency SOS on the Apple Watch is like having a guardian angel on your wrist. When enabled, this feature lets you quickly call emergency services by simply pressing and holding the side button. This action can automatically alert your emergency contacts as well, making it invaluable during urgent situations.

How to Enable Emergency SOS

Turning on Emergency SOS is straightforward. Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and navigate to My Watch > Emergency SOS. Toggle on the Hold Side Button setting to activate this essential feature. Customize your emergency contacts within the Health app under Medical ID.

Benefits of Emergency SOS

The primary advantage of Emergency SOS is its ability to connect you to help when you most need it. Imagine being in an accident, feeling unsafe, or witnessing an emergency situation. With this feature, you can alert authorities and loved ones instantly, providing peace of mind when it matters most.

2. Fall Detection: Assistance When You Need It Most

Wearable technology becomes life-saving with the introduction of Fall Detection on the Apple Watch. This innovative feature detects when you've taken a hard fall and automatically initiates a call to emergency services if you remain immobile.

Activating Fall Detection

To enable Fall Detection, go to the Apple Watch app on your iPhone. Select My Watch > Emergency SOS. From here, toggle on Fall Detection. For those 55 and older, it is automatically enabled, but it can benefit users of all ages.

Why Fall Detection Matters

Falls are a significant risk, especially among seniors. Fall Detection can identify a hard fall based on wrist trajectory and impact acceleration. If you're unable to respond, your watch takes action, protecting you during moments when you're most vulnerable.

3. Health and Wellness Monitoring: Keep Track of Vital Signs

Your Apple Watch is an extension of your well-being, equipped with features to monitor and alert you of irregularities in your health. These include heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen level detection, and sleep tracking.

Setting Up Health Monitoring

Access these features through the Health app on your iPhone. For heart rate and blood oxygen, use the HR app and Blood Oxygen app respectively on your watch. Aim to keep all sensors aligned with optimal intensity for the most accurate readings.

Health Alerts: Staying Informed

By setting up notifications for irregular heart rhythms or elevated heart rates, you become instantly informed of potential health concerns. This proactive approach aids in timely medical consults and improves your long-term health outcomes.

4. Noise App: Protecting Your Hearing from Harm

The Noise app on the Apple Watch is your auditory protector. It measures decibel levels of sounds around you and warns you when noise levels may be harmful to your hearing.

Enable the Noise App

In the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, go to My Watch > Noise and turn on Environmental Sound Measurements. Ensure you activate Noise Notifications if you want alerts when dB levels reach harmful thresholds.

The Importance of the Noise App

Long-term exposure to loud environments can cause permanent damage to your hearing. The Noise app empowers you to make informed decisions about your auditory environment, preserving your hearing health.

5. ECG: Monitoring Your Heart's Electrical Activity

The ECG feature on Apple Watch captures the heart's electrical activity. Take an electrocardiogram (ECG) anytime to gain insights into your heart health and detect signs of atrial fibrillation, a serious form of irregular heartrate.

How to Take an ECG

Open the ECG app on your Apple Watch, rest your arm on a flat surface, and lightly hold the Digital Crown with your other finger. After 30 seconds, you will receive a reading, which can be shared with your healthcare provider.

Health Benefits of ECG

This non-invasive test can detect problems early, facilitating timely medical intervention. Regular ECG readings can be an integral part of your cardiac health strategy, enabling proactive management of potential issues.

6. Workout Detection: Safety During Physical Activity

The Workout app is a robust companion for physical activity, offering automatic workout detection to log exercises accurately and help in accident prevention.

Activating Workout Detection

Go to the Workout tab in the My Watch app. Toggle on “Start Workout Reminder" and “End Workout Reminder” to enable automatic detection, which can differentiate various activities like walking, running, cycling, and more.

Using Workout Detection Safely

This feature ensures consistent monitoring of your workout intensity, helping you avoid overexertion or undertraining. If incident or abnormality is detected, your Watch alerts you immediately, promoting safe and effective fitness routines.

7. Handwashing Timer: Reinforcing Hygiene with Technology

The importance of hand hygiene has been emphasized repeatedly, especially during health crises. The Apple Watch initiates a handwashing timer to ensure thorough handwashing, alerting you when you've washed long enough.

Setting Up the Handwashing Timer

Enable the Handwashing Timer through My Watch > Handwashing on your iPhone by toggling the timer setting under Handwashing. It’s an assistive tool in promoting consistent and effective cleanliness practices.

Health Impact of the Handwashing Timer

Proper handwashing reduces the spread of illness and infection. A dedicated timer holds you accountable, encourages good habits, and enhances personal and public health, especially in high COVID-19 or flu season environments.

8. Breathe App: Stress Management at its Best

Your well-being goes beyond physical health; mental health is crucial too. The Breathe app offers guided breathing sessions designed to relax you, reduce stress, and improve mental clarity.

Using the Breathe App

Activate the Breathe app on your Apple Watch. Choose session length and follow the prompts to breathe according to the watch vibrations. Regular use enhances relaxation and emotional stability over time.

Mental Health Benefits

Regular deep breathing exercises can lower blood pressure, enhance cognitive function, and promote a state of calm. The Breathe app helps cultivate mindfulness and balance, assisting in managing stress naturally.

9. Compass and Backtrack: Navigate with Confidence

The Compass app assists in navigation, while the Backtrack feature remembers your route, ensuring you find your way easily, even in unfamiliar terrains.

Utilizing Compass and Backtrack

The Compass app is accessible directly on the Apple Watch, showing latitude, longitude, elevation, and direction. To use Backtrack, open the Compass app and select the Backtrack option, useful for outdoor exploring or city wandering.

Safety and Convenience

These features ensure you always know where you are and can return safely from your ventures. It enhances outdoor safety, reduces the likelihood of getting lost, and improves overall travel confidence.

10. Find My: Keeping Loved Ones Within Reach

Find My on Apple Watch integrates with your iOS devices to track your Apple devices and stay connected with family or friends, ensuring safety and accessibility.

Activate Find My

Ensure Find My is enabled under Settings > [Your Name] > Find My on your iPhone. For loved ones, go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services > Find My and toggle on this setting for easy access and monitoring.

Value of Find My

Whether you're locating a misplaced device or ensuring loved ones are safe and reachable, Find My offers peace of mind. It's an indispensable tool for staying connected and secure, reducing stress over lost items or people.

Conclusion: Apple Watch - Your Personal Safety Net

The Apple Watch transcends being just a tech accessory; it is your personal companion for health and safety. From Emergency SOS to Find My, these features position the Apple Watch as an essential component for modern personal safety and well-being.