Breakaway Lanyards Offer Security and Safety

Many businesses, universities, medical facilities, camps and more rely on employees wearing badges to be easily identifiable and/or access specific areas of the building or site. In customer-facing positions, lanyards with badges make it easy for shoppers to be able to identify an employee of the store and put a name to their face. They can also serve as a place to clip your keys, which many employees will need at their fingertips to access change drawers, supply closets and more. Doctors, nurses and aides need their badge handy but not necessarily in-hand, and keeping them in their pockets isn’t always practical, either. In short, lanyards are simple but absolutely essential in helping many businesses run smoothly, safely and effectively. But if they aren’t breakaway lanyards, there is an increased possibility of injury.

The difference between a regular lanyard and a breakaway lanyard is simple – a breakaway lanyard features two snapped together pieces that release when pressure is applied. Under normal circumstances, your lanyard stays clipped together and you can either unclip it to remove it, or simply slide it up and over your head like you would a traditional lanyard. However, if your lanyard or the attached badge becomes snagged on something or stuck in something, the pressure releases the clasp freeing you from a potential injury. Pretty smart, right?

As someone who worked in a bookstore for ten years, I can tell you firsthand that those badge snags happen in even the most calm work environments. Thankfully, we used breakaway lanyards at work, and they saved me more times than one from a nasty brush burn, bruise or worse! Rushing about the store in the busy holiday season, I once took a corner too quickly and my lanyard managed to wrap itself around a hook on an end display. Had it not released I could have easily been pulled back toward the display and really gotten hurt. The truth is, some locations are more dangerous than others. If I ran into a few instances working somewhere as safe as a bookstore, you can imagine the potential hazards of badges getting caught in machinery, a locking door, and more. With breakaway lanyards being so affordable, we think it makes good sense to spend a little bit more for peace of mind and increased comfort. Don’t you?