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United Kingdom · Personal alarm

Elderly alarms in the United Kingdom

A personal alarm is a wearable SOS device that calls for help at the press of a button. This national guide explains who the category suits, what to compare, and which SureSafe products are relevant. A personal alarm gives you a direct way to call for help if you fall, feel unwell, or become stranded at home. Most systems pair a pendant or wrist device with either a professional monitoring centre or a list of family contacts.

Compare personal alarmsSee comparisons

For urgent medical advice in the UK, use NHS 111. For an emergency, call 999.

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Who personal alarms are for

  • Anyone who lives alone and wants a faster route to help
  • Older adults who want to stay independent at home
  • People recovering from surgery or managing a long-term condition
  • Families who want reassurance without constant check-in calls

A later-life view of personal alarms

For older adults and the people supporting them, personal alarms should reduce uncertainty rather than add another task. Check whether the device fits the person's morning and evening routine, and whether the response plan is clear to everyone involved.

Ask how the alarm behaves during a power cut, after a missed charge, or when the person cannot speak. Those answers reveal more about the service than a comparison table of features.

  • Match the device to the person's mobility and memory needs.
  • Confirm who responds and how quickly they can act.
  • Keep the plan simple enough to explain in one conversation.

What to check before buying

  • Decide whether you want professional monitoring or family contacts to answer
  • Check whether the alarm works without a landline
  • Confirm the range of the pendant inside and around the home
  • Ask about fall detection, GPS, and waterproofing if you need them
  • Compare the total monthly cost, not just the device price
  • Check the contract length, cancellation terms, and returns policy

National versus local

Personal alarms are sold nationally, but the practical details are local: mobile coverage at your address, council telecare availability, and how quickly a key holder can reach you. Use the location pages to check the area you live in, then compare plans using the checklist above.

Personal Alarms options

These are the SureSafe products relevant to this page. Confirm the current price, contract, and coverage with SureSafe before ordering.

Local personal alarms guides

Use a city page for the same checklist with local support and coverage notes.

LondonBirminghamGlasgowManchesterSheffieldLeedsEdinburghLiverpoolBristolCardiffLeicesterBradfordBelfastCoventryBirkenheadNottinghamIslingtonReadingKingston upon HullPrestonSwanseaNewcastle upon TyneSouthend-on-SeaBrighton

Related alarm types

  • 24/7 Monitored Alarms — A monitored alarm connects your SOS button to a response centre that answers day or night.
  • Fall Alarms — A fall alarm can raise an alert automatically when it detects a fall, without waiting for a button press.
  • No-Landline Alarms — A no-landline alarm uses a mobile signal or home internet instead of a traditional phone line.
  • Wrist Alarms — A wrist alarm puts the SOS button on a watch-style device you can wear all day.

Related guides

Personal Alarms questions

Do I need a landline for a personal alarm?

Not necessarily. Many current alarms use a mobile signal, a home internet connection, or a digital base unit. Confirm the requirement for the specific model before ordering.

Will a personal alarm call an ambulance?

A monitored alarm contacts a response centre, which follows the instructions on your account and can call emergency services when needed. A family-monitored alarm calls your nominated contacts instead.

How much does a personal alarm cost?

Costs include the device and, for monitored systems, an ongoing plan. Prices and included features change, so check the current price and terms with the provider.