In 2023, Australia’s leading consumer advocate, CHOICE, published its well-known Shonky Awards highlighting just how unreliable many non-monitored personal alarms really are. After testing 40 over-the-counter devices (so not those connected to a monitoring service) sold in retail stores and online and, they were unable to recommend a single one. According to CHOICE, these devices consistently failed in the areas that matter most: reliability and ease of use. Critical functions didn’t work properly, many devices were difficult to set up, and battery life was often too short, all of which pose a major concern for older adults, especially those with cognitive impairments. They may appear to be a cheaper and simpler option but when tested under pressure, these devices fail to deliver.

What’s more, many of these products lacked transparency about how user data is collected and stored. To put it bluntly, the very devices meant to keep people safe may be putting them at risk, not only in emergencies but also in terms of data security.

That’s why there is a growing call within the industry for stronger regulation and clearer standards around personal alarm devices. Customers and their families deserve to know that the system they’re relying on will actually work. Personal alarms should be held to a higher benchmark, in the same way we expect smoke alarms, seat belts, and medications to meet strict safety requirements.