Questions
What’s the difference between a Monitored and Non-monitored service?
What if none of my contacts are available?
How long has Safety Link been in operation?
Do I have to buy the alarm unit?
How much does the service cost?
Are there any additional charges for use of the alarm?
Is the pendant water resistant?
How far from the alarm unit will the pendant work?
If I choose this option do I have to speak to someone every day?
Do I have to make a Daily Call?
What happens if I press the pendant by mistake?
What if I have more than one telephone?
Do I need to provide anything?
Will the alarm unit work if the mains power is off?
Do you offer an alternative to the pendant, for people with special needs?
Other questions? Call Safety Link on 1800 813 617
What’s the difference between a Monitored and Non-monitored service?
A monitored service like Safety Link, is staffed by trained professionals who monitor the emergency calls that come in via telephone. There is always someone at Safety Link to take an emergency call, even if the client’s nominated contacts are away or unavailable help out.
With a non-monitored service, if nominated contacts can’t be reached, there is no one on the other end of the phone to help arrange assistance. If, for example the contacts’ phones are switched off or out of reach, there will be no way for them to take the emergency call, which could have serious consequences. Even if the “last contact” in the list is 000, you can’t be certain that they will be able to quickly take your call, understand the problem, and dispatch medical help.
Who can be a contact?
Contacts should be people who are well known to you as you will need to give them a key to your home. Contacts are usually family or friends who live close by. They also need to be willing to come to your assistance day or night.
How many contacts do I need?
We like at least three contacts to call. These are listed in order of priority depending on their availability, relationship and proximity. If one is not available when called, the second and if necessary the third will be called.
What if none of my contacts are available?
If none of your contacts are available, the ambulance service or other nominated 24-hour service will be called.
How long has Safety Link been in operation?
Safety Link, a division of Ballarat Health Services, has been providing Personal Response Services to Australians since 1980 - nearly 30 years.
Do I have to buy the alarm unit?
No. You rent the equipment from Safety Link. As such the equipment remains the property of Safety Link and is fully maintained by us.
How much does the service cost?
There is a once-off establishment fee and monthly service fee. Check the pricing information page for more details.
Are there any additional charges for use of the alarm?
No. The alarm calls are all received on Freecall 1800 numbers. There are no additional charges for using the alarm. It is recommended that you ensure that you are covered for use of an ambulance in case we ever need to call one for you.
Is the pendant water resistant?
Yes, the pendant is water resistant and should be worn in the shower.
What is a Daily Call?
A daily call option is available for a small additional charge. This is primarily for people who don’t have regular daily contact with others. The client is expected to press the Daily Call button on the alarm unit daily before 11.00am. If the button goes unpressed, Safety Link will then call the client to check if help is required. If the client does not answer, Safety Link will organise a contact to check on the client's welfare.
If I choose this option do I have to speak to someone every day?
No. Should you choose this option you only need to press the Daily Call button between 6am and 11am. If for some reason you do not press your Daily Call button between these hours one of our monitors will ring you to verify your well being.
Do I have to make a Daily Call?
No. The Daily Call is optional, however it does provide reassurance for those who do not have daily contact with others.
What happens if I press the pendant by mistake?
If you press the pendant accidentally, don’t worry - wait for one of our Monitors to call you and then explain to them that it was an accident. We will always try to speak to you before we call out your contacts.
What if I have more than one telephone?
Safety Link will arrange for the alarm unit to be installed with a Mode socket. This socket will ensure that if any of the phones in the house are off the hook at the time you press the pendant, the call will still be made through to Safety Link.
Do I need to provide anything?
The alarm unit requires both a telephone line and mains power supply, therefore you will need to have a power point near the telephone socket. This will need to be in place prior to the alarm unit being installed. You may also require a keysafe in which to securely leave a set of keys outside in case an ambulance is called and are unable to get in. Safety Link must be notified of the location and combination of the keysafe.
Will the alarm unit work if the mains power is off?
Yes. Your alarm unit has a battery back-up which will last for several days if the mains power is off. If the power has not been restored and the battery is getting low, a signal will be sent to Safety Link and a technician will arrange for its repair.