A lanyard is a necessity of everyday life. It serves the purpose of holding our valuables securely. This HomeQuicks article informs you about many other uses of a lanyard.
Breakaway Lanyards
It is a type of lanyard which breaks apart or snaps back immediately if it is pulled or pressure is exerted on it. This is a precautionary feature so as to avoid choking or strangling.
It so happens sometimes that we get late for work. Getting all our stuff together before we rush out of the house seems like a herculean task then. Imagine, you don’t find your set of keys or the employee ID badge you must have before you leave. Digging in your handbag, looking for it on top of, underneath, and within anything or everything in the house would not be a good idea at that moment. So, instead of waiting for such emergencies to happen, why not have these things strapped to something, which would make it easy to find them. This is where a lanyard proves handy.
What is a Lanyard
The word ‘lanyard’ originates from the old French ‘laniere’ or the later Middle English usage of ‘lanyer’. It means a not-so-long piece of rope used to secure something. Addition of the ending ‘yard’ to the original word came in the 17th century. A lanyard actually referred to the rope that was tied or threaded through a wooden disk on a boat to support and control its mast. It was literally a rope. However, today, a lanyard is a cord or strap worn around the neck, shoulder or wrist that holds objects like an ID card, whistle, badge, etc.
It keeps your essential or precious objects secure and close to you, without you having to hold them. Lanyards come with different attachments at the end. It can be a ring, a hook, a small bull dog clip or a black attachment to press and join or separate an object. This increases its utility multiple times.
They are either round cords or flat strap like little ropes. Cotton and nylon have been the materials often used in making them; however, polyester and its varieties are also used these days. With attractive colors and printed patterns, they become the center of focus. Printing does not work with the cord lanyards though.
Uses of a Lanyard
Secure Personal Belongings
The most common use of a lanyard is to hold an ID card. A special, hard plastic frame is made for inserting the card, tied to a plain or colored lanyard. They are used to secure objects that are needed frequently and also are important enough so as not to misplace or lose them. Given below is a list of all the personal valuables that can be secured using a lanyard.
◆ ID card or Badge
◆ Whistle
◆ Pen knife
◆ Pistol
◆ Keys
◆ USB device
◆ Camera
◆ Cell phone
◆ Multitool Swiss Knife
◆ Personal location finder
◆ Flashlight
A lanyard used for manipulating a boat’s mast
An ID card lanyard
Keys attached to a lanyard
A whistle attached to a lanyard
A USB drive attached to a lanyard
A personal location finder attached to a lanyard
A photo lightmeter attached to a lanyard
A pen attached to a lanyard
A compass attached to a lanyard
A detachable hook with a lanyard
Fashion Accessory
It is not just for identification or safety purposes that lanyards are used. Today, there are increasingly used for their aesthetic value too.
Beaded lanyards
Bead work makes it fashionable to wear it like a piece of jewelry. Lanyards crafted using gemstones, colored glass, or crystals matching your attire can make you look very pretty and elegant at the same time.
Paracord lanyards
Paracord or parachute cords are nylon cords that are flexible, and are commonly used as multipurpose utility cords. A combination of two complementary-colored paracord strings can be woven into an intricately designed lanyard.
Printed designs
Cords or straps in pleasant colors with designs to associate with an activity, a company, or a sports event are manufactured in bulk.
Advertizing and Marketing
- It is not uncommon to see separate badges or special passes being handed over to individuals for exclusive events like music concerts and games. These include lanyards that are designed and produced specifically for an event, a show, or at a convention.
- Various companies and brands get customized lanyards made with their logo or names printed on them for advertising and marketing purposes. It is an easy way to attract attention and generate brand recall.
Manufacture
In manufacturing units, a lanyard on a worker’s wrist is used to stop heavy machines from working if the worker falls unconscious or becomes incapable of operating the machine. They are used by linemen or at construction sites as a safety harness too. It ensures safety and prevents falls and accidents.