When staff feel threatened or endangered in a work environment it’s important to have the option of calling for help. This is where panic alarms come in.
These devices can be triggered quickly and silently without alerting the assailant. They can be a fixed button on the premises or more commonly now a wearable device.
They Can Save Lives
When someone feels threatened or in danger, panic buttons give them the reassurance that help is only a button-press away. They send an alert to a monitoring service which in turn immediately contacts emergency services on their behalf. This can take place silently or audibly depending on the situation. Alternatively, depending on the type of alarm and its abilities, monitoring services may look on connected cameras as part of an internal security system to assess the situation before responding.
These personal safety systems are particularly popular with lone workers as they can provide them with reassurance and allow them to fulfil their duty of care to staff. Many lone workers, from security workers and farmers to community healthcare and hotel housekeeping staff, can be victims of physical and sexual assault or harassment and a panic button allows them to quickly request assistance without the perpetrator even being aware that they have done so.
They are also very useful for anyone who lives alone, particularly elderly people with medical conditions or patients recovering at home. In these situations, the simple fact that a panic button is there can help to reassure both the elderly person living alone and their family members who can rest easier knowing they have an easy way of calling for immediate support.
They Can Help Lone Workers
When working alone in public places, employees can be at a greater risk of an attack or intimidation. For this reason, lone workers should be equipped with a panic alarm to help protect them from potential attackers.
A lone worker alarm device can be triggered by pressing the button or using voice activation to send an emergency signal to a monitoring centre. This will notify a designated monitor who can follow a response plan to verify the alert and dispatch assistance. Some lone worker devices include GPS location to ensure that help is sent directly to the employee.
Lone worker alarms are designed to be discreet so that employees can raise the alarm without alerting intruders or others in the workplace to their position or what’s happening. These systems are particularly useful for staff who work in public-facing roles such as cashiers, security guards and customer service representatives.
In the UK, many lone worker organisations and businesses have made the decision to provide their staff with a panic alarm system as part of their duty of care for staff safety. Some states and cities also have their own unique safety legislation that requires employers to provide a panic button for lone workers at no cost to them. The right lone worker alarm can help reassure employees, prevent workplace violence and create a safer culture in the workplace.
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They Can Help Businesses
Businesses that rely on people working in front of customers or the public, such as retail spaces, schools, healthcare settings and council offices, will benefit from a panic button integrated into their security system. These alarms will help their employees feel safer and have the reassurance that they can quickly alert security in an emergency situation.
Linked to cameras, these panic buttons can be remotely monitored by response teams and the location of the alarm displayed on live video feeds. They can also be integrated into access control systems, allowing staff to lock doors in specific areas of the building to isolate their space if they are feeling unsafe.
The safety of employees is a key concern for any business and it’s their legal duty to ensure that they have the tools needed to do their jobs safely. Providing them with access to a panic button is one of the best ways to help them feel safe at work, improving their wellbeing and allowing them to focus on their job.
Panic alarms can come in a number of different forms and sizes, depending on the needs of the individual user. They can be a physical button, found under counters or in storage areas, or they can be a small device that staff can take with them as they move around their workplace. Often, they can be activated by the touch of a button and will send an alert to security or management at that location, as well as local police.
They Can Help Homeowners
Many elderly people choose to stay in their own homes rather than move into care homes as they feel that this will give them greater independence. However, they can sometimes feel vulnerable living alone and worry that if they fall or become unwell then they may not be able to call for help. A panic button allows them to call for assistance at the push of a button, giving them peace of mind.
Panic buttons are incredibly discreet and can be worn on the neck like a pendant or on the wrist like a watch, allowing them to be used anywhere in the home and garden. Some even have a waterproof casing that can work in up to a meter of water, meaning they can be used after a fall in the bath or shower. The recessed button design minimizes the risk of false alarms and the small 1.5” x 1.2” size means they are not obtrusive or irritating to wear.
It’s important that everyone in the home or workplace knows where the panic buttons are located so that they know where to go if they need to use them. They should also be familiar with how they work so that they don’t accidentally trigger the alarm by accident. A lot of people choose to keep the panic buttons close to their bed or on a desk that they use often so that it is easy for them to get to them. https://loneworkerdevices.co.uk/fall-detection/
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