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Ensuring Your Telecare Alarm Works During a Power Outage
17/12/2019
It’s important to have contingency plans in place for storms and power outages, especially for critical services like telecare alarms. These plans may include alternative communication methods or backup systems to ensure your alarm can still connect to help if needed.
During a power outage, whether your alarm button will work depends on the type of alarm unit you have and how it connects to the monitoring centre. All Task Community Care telecare units have a built-in backup battery, giving your alarm power for up to 36 hours (depending on usage) while mains power is restored. However, please note that having power does not always guarantee the alarm call will connect to the 24/7 monitoring centre. Here’s how your telecare unit is likely to function during adverse weather conditions based on the type of system you have:
1. Landline Telecare Unit
- Connection Type: Standard telephone landline (analogue system).
- How It Works During Power Cuts:
- Most landline systems will continue working during a power outage, as long as the landline is active.
- However, landlines only work if the telephone exchange has power. Severe weather, like lightning strikes, may damage phone lines or disrupt the service.
Tip: Be sure to follow the safety advice below to stay prepared for any situation.
2. Broadband/IP Telecare Unit
- Connection Type: Connects to the monitoring centre via fibre broadband or IP (internet).
- How It Works During Power Cuts:
- Your telecare system’s backup battery will keep the alarm powered for up to 36 hours.
- However, the alarm will only connect to the monitoring centre if your broadband router also has a backup battery. Without one, the system is unlikely to work during a power cut.
- If you’re unsure whether your router has a backup battery, contact your broadband provider to check.
Additional Protection: If your telecare system includes a SIM card backup, the unit can connect to the monitoring centre via the mobile network if the broadband fails.
Task Community Care Advantage: Our telecare units with SIM card backup use multi-network SIM cards, which connect to the strongest available network, giving you extra reliability during emergencies.
3. GSM Telecare Unit (SIM Card-Based)
- Connection Type: Uses a SIM card to connect to the monitoring centre (no landline or broadband required).
- How It Works During Power Cuts:
- The unit’s built-in backup battery ensures it stays powered for up to 36 hours during power outages.
- GSM units can make emergency calls to the 24-hour monitoring centre via the mobile network.
Example: Our TA74 GSM Alarm provides up to 36 hours of backup battery life, including up to 30 minutes of emergency calls.
Important Note: While GSM systems are reliable, there’s always a small chance of network outages if storm damage affects the mobile infrastructure of the SIM provider. Always review our safety tips to stay prepared.
4. GPS Locators
If you use a GPS locator instead of a telecare alarm, the device will work during a power outage as long as it is charged.
- How to Prepare:
- Make sure the GPS device is fully charged before a storm.
- Some GPS devices have a charging dock with a built-in backup battery, which will keep the device powered for a short time during power cuts.
Task Community Care Advantage: For example, the Task Personal Emergency Protection (PEP) GPS Location Tracker comes with a docking station that includes a backup battery, ensuring the device stays charged even during power cuts. This can provide extra reliability during storms or outages.
Important Note: Although rare, if storm damage affects the SIM provider’s network infrastructure, the GPS locator may not connect to the monitoring centre. Always review our safety tips to stay prepared.
Safety Tips for Telecare & GPS Locator Users
Pendant alarms and GPS locators are essential for staying safe during severe weather. Follow these simple tips to remain protected:
1. Test Your Alarm System
- Test your alarm system regularly (at least once a month).
- Before a storm, make an extra test call to ensure your device is functioning properly. Let the call-handler know you’re testing because of the weather forecast.
2. Be Prepared for Power Outages
- If the power goes out, press your emergency button if you feel unsafe or need assistance.
- Inform the telecare operator of your situation—they can reassure you and notify your designated contacts.
- Keep a mobile phone or home phone nearby as a backup.
- Ask a family member or neighbour to check on you regularly.
3. Always Wear Your Pendant Alarm
- Indoors: Wear your pendant alarm at all times, especially at night when trips and falls are more likely to occur.
- Outdoors: Avoid going outside during storms unless absolutely necessary. If you must, always wear your pendant alarm.
Range Tip: Task Community Care pendant alarms work up to 300 meters from the base unit, covering most homes and gardens.
4. Night-Time Safety Precautions
- Keep hallways and bathrooms well-lit to reduce the risk of tripping or falling.
- Use non-slip mats in wet areas like bathrooms and kitchens.
Need Help or an Upgrade?
By understanding how your telecare unit works and following these safety precautions, you can stay protected during severe weather. If you have questions or need to upgrade your system, we’re here to help:
Tel: 01 8435889 / Tel: 24-Hour Monitoring Centre (non-emergency line) 01 843 5924
Email: info@taskltd.ie
Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week 2018
01/08/2018
Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week 2018
Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week is approaching on 22-28 September 2018. Its purpose is to help raise awareness of one of the most common (and preventable) causes of death by poisoning. Monitored carbon monoxide detectors are an excellent way to protect yourself and your family around this poisonous gas. That's why this month we’ll be highlighting how to protect yourself and your family with a monitored carbon monoxide detector.
Carbon monoxide causes
The main cause of indoor carbon monoxide accumulation is inadequate maintenance leading to poor combustion of carbon-containing fuel. Potential sources include, gas stoves, fires and boilers, gas powered water heaters, paraffin heaters, solid fuel powered stoves, boilers and room heaters. Partially blocked or damaged flues and chimneys are other causes of indoor carbon monoxide accumulation. And the posionous gas can accumulate in anyone's home, even if they have regular maintenance on fuel sources. For instance, Evelyn Andrews and her daughter Katie featured on RTE’s ‘the consumer show’ after having a near shave with carbon monoxide poisoning, when a crisp packet that was thrown into the fire blocked their chimney flue. The blockage caused the poisonous gas to come back down the chimney and fill the house while they were in bed ...And carbon monoxide can also seep into homes from neighbouring properties, via shared flues and chimneys too.
Benefits of monitored carbon monoxide detectors
Carbon monoxide poisoning can result in collapse and unconsciousness, therefore a monitored carbon monoxide alarm has obvious advantages over a standard CO detector that only sounds in your home. For instance, with a monitored detector, if there is no response from you or a family member after the carbon monoxide alarm sounds, CareLink Operators can alert your neighbour or other keyholder, or An Garda Síochána. They will also give immediate safety advice to anyone in the home that is conscious through the two-way speech unit.
The two-way speech unit is contained in the base unit of the alarm which you can place anywhere in the home. With a TASK Monitored CO alarm, you can have as many carbon monoxide alarms around the home as needed, connected to the same base unit. And with TASK, your 24/7 monitoring will be €66 regardless of how many carbon monoxide alarms are being monitored in your home. A small price to pay for the security a monitored carbon monoxide detector can bring.
Carbon monoxide alarm quality assurance
All TASK monitored carbon monoxide alarms:
- Comply with European Standard EN 50291
- Carry the CE Mark
- Have an 'end of life' indicator
- Carry an independent certification mark – For example a kite mark, this indicates that the alarm has been approved by an accredited testing and certification organisation
Where to install and position Carbon Monoxide Detectors (CO Alarms)
View this short video for advice on the best place to install carbon monoxide alarms in your home. The same advice generally applies to monitored carbon monoxide detectors.
Call us today for further details - ROI: +353 1 8435889 / UK: 0845 304 55 35
Fall detector and pager
16/05/2018
Fall Detection: Motion Sensor & Pager (Standalone System)
We love this standalone fall detection system with pager. Just place the motion sensor at a bedside or anywhere in the home & it will alert a family member or carer's pager up to 300 feet away. The pager is pocket sized and light-weight. Just pop in batteries & it's ready to use.
Currently only €92.50 from our online store or by calling us to order yours today.
How to purchase
If you have any questions our fall detector motion sensor/pager call us today ROI: 01 8435889 UK: 0845 304 55 3. Or order directly online www.taskltd.com/task-online-store/wireless-fall-prevention/wireless-fall-prevention-en/portable-paging-systems/carelink-motion-sensor-pager.html
Ireland's first telecare alarm, designed for homes with digital broadband
16/04/2018
Designed for customers with broadband, or those who may be switching to digital broadband. This new unit from TeleAlarm also works on analogue landline telephones. It offers:
• Best in class audio quality
• Compatible with wide range of wireless detectors
• Designed to ensure maximum security
Call us today to find out more about our latest IP (Internet Protocol) CareLink alarm • Available now • Tel: +353 1 8435889
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Are you being charged separately for the monitoring of each telecare device in your home? Instead choose TASK for your telecare monitoring in Ireland and the UK.
Yearly - Ireland €66 / UK £52 (Prices include VAT)
Choose TASK to monitor your pendant alarm, and we will monitor any linked telecare devices completely FREE (including other pendant alarms monitored in the same home)
Call us today - ROI: +353 1 8435889 / UK: 02890 360280
CareLink monitored alarm call - Joe Duffy Liveline RTE Radio 1
16/02/2018
Carole's mother fell at home yesterday morning. Our CareLink Operators received the call when her CareLink button was pressed. Carole called the Joe Duffy Liveline show while her mum was waiting on an ambulance. Well done to our CareLink team & we wish Caroles mum a quick & full recovery.
The segment serves as a good reminder of why it's so important to wear your CareLink button at all times
...(A big Hat Tip thank you to Barbara Copley for bringing the radio segment to our attention)
You can watch an edited version on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPOLt5w3DXE&t=16s
Or the full radio segment at:
https://www.rte.ie/radio/utils/radioplayer/rteradioweb.html#!rii=b9%5F21318891%5F53%5F15%2D02%2D2018%5F
How The TASK Bogus Caller Button Works
24/01/2018
Always wear your pendant alarm, or keep it close at hand
12/01/2018
And did you know you can buy your 24/7 monitored pendant alarm system from our online store? Full instructions are included and items will be delivered to your door within days. Visit our online store to find out more.
Happy Christmas & New Year 2017
22/12/2017
To wish all our customers, community groups, suppliers & friends a very Merry Christmas and Wonderful New Year. We look forward to helping people stay safe and secure 24 hours a day in 2018 and beyond!
You can also watch our YouTube Christmas Message here!
TASK Sponsors Canon Hayes Awards 2017
12/12/2017
TASK were proud to be Sponsors of the Canon Hayes Sports Awards 2017. It was a fantastic event & there were some great pictures taken. This has to be one of our favourites. Well done to everyone involved!
Pictured: National Winner - Mark O'Donovan & Shane O'Driscoll, World and European Champions, pictured with their award along with Ronán Bunting of TASK Community Care (Sponsors) and Mary Dorgan (Sport Ireland).
At the Canon Hayes Sports Awards 2017. His Excellency Mr. Muhammad Athar Qureshi, Charge d' Affaires, Embassy of Pakistan, Rowers Mark O'Donovan and Shane O'Driscoll (National Winners), Ronán Bunting (Award Sponsors), and Mr. Umer Mahmood Khan.
We're hiring: Installer for Kerry Limerick & Clare Regions
28/11/2017
We're hiring! Please get in touch if you are interested in this opportunity in the Kerry Limerick & Clare regions...
Seniors Alert Scheme - It's not only the first (free) years monitoring that matters to older people
22/11/2017
Under the new Seniors Alert Scheme, it's not only the first (free) years monitoring that matters to older people. All telecare suppliers have provided 5 years monitoring charges to Pobal (who provide the grant funding). These subsequent years monitoring charges should be viewable for Pobal registered community groups on the online portal.
After the participant's free first year's monitoring, TASK charge only €66.00 yearly. That's GUARANTEED for the following 4 YEARS under the scheme.
Our price includes VAT (...which works out at only €53.76 ex VAT per year).
Therefore if you are a community or voluntary organisation registered under the new Seniors Alert Scheme, please ensure older people know what suppliers will be charging them in subsequent years under the scheme.
And remember to compare like with like, by ensuring all prices given to older people are inclusive of VAT.
