Calling for help
a guide to community alarms, 2003
(go to list of report contents)
Checklists for equipment and what a good community alarm service should provide.
Print out this page and tick off the points - the more ticks the better
Portable trigger
Is
it comfortable to wear?
Can
it be worn in different ways - around your neck, wrist or on clothes?
Is it easy for you to press the button?
Will
it set off the alarm from anywhere in your home and garden?
Does it look substantial enough to stand up to knocks and drops?
Does it automatically send a low battery warning to the alarm centre?
Does the manufacturer or alarm scheme regularly replace triggers or their
batteries?
The alarm unit
Does it provide full two-way speech?
Will
the button be easy to see and use in an emergency?
Does it have battery back-up power that lasts at least eight hours?
Does it warn you if mains power fails or back-up batteries run low?
Does it warn the centre if power fails or batteries run low?
Does it give clear signals to show that an alarm call is getting through?
Does it warn you if the telephone line is faulty or disconnected?
Can it be used with other types of triggers that you need?
The call centre
Is
the alarm centre a member of ASAP?
Does
the centre provide cover 24 hours a day, 365 days a year?
Are all calls answered quickly - ASAP requires 80% in half a minute and
98.5% in one minute?
Are there at least two operators at all times to answer calls?
Do all operators take account of the user's wishes when deciding what
to do?
Are there procedures to ensure operators provide appropriate assistance
in a wide range of circumstances?
Is all information on service users kept and handled confidentially by
all staff?
Does the centre work well with emergency services in your area?
If
the centre holds keys to users' homes, are they kept securely and identified
only by code?
Does the centre check from time to time that users are satisfied with
the service?
Does
the centre have a complaints procedure which all users are told about?
Can the centre continue to work if essential services fail such as telephone
or electricity?
Report Contents
About alarms
What
is a community alarm?
How
does an alarm work?
Basic
choices
Who
will receive your calls?
Where can you get an alarm?
Alarms on test
Models tested
Antenna
Princess AP1000
Antenna
AP2000
CareSec
Homelink
Extra II
Horizon
II
IntelliLink
Lifeline
400
Lifeline
4000
LIfeline
4000+D
Lifeline
TalkBack trigger
S11
Carephone
Sayphone
In
Touch 1000
In
Touch 2000
In
Touch 2000 Package
Other information
Using
an alarm
Checklists
of things to look for
Alarms
in the future
Acknowledgements
Contact
details
