How long do the smoke detector batteries last?

The smoke detectors have a battery life of 10 years. They perform a regular self test and alert our Emergency Resolution Team if the battery is low. This means there is no need to worry about the battery running out and you not knowing.The smoke detector battery cannot be replaced, there is two year warranty on smoke alarms and batteries. After 2 years we can replace the smoke detector for a £99 fee (£118.80 including VAT).

What is covered by the personal alarm lifetime warranty?

The personal alarm lifetime warranty covers the personal alarm pendant and alarm unit. If your personal alarm pendant or alarm unit develops a fault or stops working at any time whilst you are a customer, we will either repair or replace the equipment for you. If the pendant alarm battery needs replacing, then we'll change that too. There is no charge for this service. The smoke detectors have a two year manufacturer warranty.

Does the smoke detector require wiring?

There is no electrical work or wiring required. The smoke detectors automatically send a remote call to the personal alarm alarm unit which then calls the Emergency Resolution Team.

How do I set up the smoke detectors?

An experienced Telecare Consultant will set everything up for you, test your alarm and show you how everything works. We will be in touch to arrange a suitable time and date that works best for you. There is no self installation option available because we need to test the smoke detectors so we know they will work in an emergency.

Do I need a telephone landline to use the smoke detector package?

Yes, the alarm unit connects to a telephone landline and uses this to call our Emergency Resolution Team.

What happens when smoke is detected?

Our Emergency Resolution Team will be alerted automatically if the smoke detector detects smoke. The Emergency Resolution Team will call the alarm user to confirm the situation. If there is a fire, or if they cannot speak to the alarm user, they will call the Fire Service immediately.

What happens when I press my personal alarm button?

When the personal alarm button on the pendant is pressed you will be quickly connected to our 24-hour Emergency Resolution Team. They will know who you are and where you are calling from so they can direct help to you even if you are unable to speak. The Emergency Resolution Team will get help to resolve any emergency, such as falls, cold callers or intruders by calling your emergency contacts or the emergency services.

Can I use the personal alarm in the garden?

Yes, it works up to 75 metres / 246 feet from the alarm unit so you can go about your daily life knowing you can get support if it is needed. As part of the set-up process, we will ask you to test your alarm from different locations so you are confident of getting help around your home.

What if I want to pay the set-up costs and someone else pay the subscription?

No problem! Many of our customers order on behalf of family members who want to pay the subscription themselves. Simply pay by debit/credit card online for the set-up and first subscription payment. Your confirmation email will include a link to the Direct Debit instruction. The person who will be paying the subscription can use this link to complete the Direct Debit instruction or call our Customer Services team, 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday on 0800 085 7371.

Do I own the equipment?

The equipment is rented from us for the duration of your contract. This means that if the equipment develops a fault, we will repair or replace it free of charge. When you no longer require our service, we will provide a Freepost Royal Mail return collection bag to make it as easy as possible to return the equipment.

Smoke Alarm Detectors For Elderly

Make your home a safer place

Perfect for those who want a home sensor that automatically alerts someone in the event of a fire.

The In-Home Classic Alarm + Smoke Detection comes in four parts:

Two smoke detectors that sound an alarm and alert our 24-hour Emergency Resolution Team.
A comfortable personal alarm pendant that can be worn around your neck or wrist.
An in-home alarm unit that plugs into the mains power socket and telephone landline.
Our award-winning 24-hour Emergency Resolution Service that can help in any emergency.

Installation is included and no wiring or electrical work is required.

Excellent all round from ordering to installation. Would highly recommend.
Gwyneth Hepworth
22nd January 2023, Trustpilot

Over 200,000 happy customers since 2008. Rated Excellent on .

In-Home Classic Alarm + Smoke Detection

Get help 24 hours a day if smoke is detected or if you are in distress, have a fall, feel unwell or need assistance in any emergency.

The smoke detectors sound an alarm and automatically call our 24-hour Emergency Resolution Team when smoke is detected.

The Emergency Resolution Team will speak with you through the alarm unit to check you are OK and call the Fire Service and friends or family if needed.

A personal alarm is included so you can get help in any emergency, not only a fire. Press the SOS button on your alarm pendant or alarm unit day or night to speak to our Emergency Resolution Team.

The Emergency Resolution Team will call friends, family or the emergency services if you fall, feel unwell or have a home emergency. Even if you are unable to speak, they will know who you are and where you live.

3-months free when paying annually by Direct Debit*

Try the In-Home Classic Alarm + Smoke Detection with confidence you can return it free of charge within 30 days and we will refund the full cost of your order.

Pay monthly or annually

Pay Monthly

£17.70

per month (exc VAT)

£21.24 inc VAT

Buy now

Free installation
One-off £253.10 set up fee (£303.72 inc VAT)

Pay Annually

£212.40

per year (exc VAT)

£254.88 inc VAT

Buy now

3-months free subscription
Free installation
One-off £253.10 set up fee (£303.72 inc VAT)

Most of our customers don't need to pay VAT on their personal alarms if they, or the person they are buying the alarm for, have a condition that requires regular medication or are registered disabled.

Find out more about VAT exemption

Image gallery

The In-Home Classic Alarm + Smoke Detection includes installation of 2 smoke detectors and a personal alarm. An alarm pendant, neck and wrist strap and alarm unit are included.

A Telecare Consultant will install your smoke alarm and personal alarm system and show you how it works.

You can wear the personal alarm pendant around your neck or on your wrist.

The personal alarm works in the home and garden.

We will call you to arrange a suitable time and date for the installation.

Peace of mind with a monitored smoke detector

The risk of smoke from an undetected fire can be fatal. Even with a non-monitored smoke alarm, accidents can still happen.

Unfortunately, the over 80s are three times more likely to die in a house fire and the majority of fire-related fatalities occur in single occupancy dwellings.†

Monitored 24 hours a day

Time is of the essence when there is a fire and you may not always hear an alarm. As we get older, we can become more susceptible to the effects of smoke and may find it difficult to get to safety quickly.

Our Emergency Resolution Team will be alerted automatically and will respond day or night, even if you are not at home.

No need to change the batteries

Maintaining a smoke alarm is essential and it can be difficult to change the batteries if the smoke alarm is up high.

The monitored smoke detectors have a long battery life of 10 years and alert us when they need replacing.

Easy to test

The test/hush button and status LED indicator makes it easy to test the smoke detectors.

You can be confident that the Emergency Resolution Team will be automatically alerted if smoke is detected.

Avoid false alarms

The monitored smoke detectors provide immediate warning of something as small as burning food or as serious as a fire outbreak.

The smoke detectors use optical sensing technology to identify smoke from fire and avoid false alarms caused by cooking and steam.

Get help in any emergency

Press your pendant button to speak with our 24-hour UK-based Emergency Resolution Team.

Our life-saving personal alarm works in the home and garden so you can get help when you need it.

We’ll call the emergency services or your friends and family, as appropriate.

Comfortable and discreet personal alarm

The personal alarm comes with a wristband and pendant cord so you can choose how you wear it.

It is comfortable enough to wear all day so you can keep the pendant with you at all times.

Add a second alarm user

You can add an additional pendant to your order to use as a spare or for your partner so they can also get help in an emergency.

Cancel anytime

There is no long-term contract or hidden charges. Your subscription includes unlimited alarm calls. The personal alarm has a lifetime warranty. The smoke detectors have a 10-year warranty.

Get help fast when it's needed

With an average alarm response time of just 6.2 seconds, you can be confident that emergency calls will be quickly answered.*

What's included in your subscription

Here's what you get with the In-Home Classic Alarm + Smoke Detection.

What's included
Paying for your subscription
Do I pay VAT?
Frequently asked questions
Why choose Taking Care?

What's included

With your subscription

24-hour award-winning UK-based emergency resolution
Unlimited alarm calls
30-day money back guarantee
Free personal alarm lifetime warranty and repair

In the box

Two monitored smoke detectors
Tunstall VI personal alarm pendant and alarm unit
Neck cord and wrist strap
Power adapter with 3 metre cable, telephone adapter and telephone lead to connect to the alarm unit
User guide

Installation included

We will call you to arrange a suitable time for the installation
Your order will be sent to you so the equipment is ready to be installed on your chosen date. We provide free next working day delivery in England and Wales for orders received before 1pm, Monday - Friday. For other areas, we provide 48 hour delivery
The Telecare Consultant will install and test the equipment, answer any questions you have and show you how it works
No electrical work or wiring is required
Installation is normally within 21 days of ordering

Smoke alarms for elderly

Specifications

Smoke detectors

10-year battery life
Test/hush button and status LED indicator

Personal alarm pendant

IP67 water-resistant up to 1 metre for up to 30 minutes
5-year battery life
Works up to 75 metres / 246 feet from the alarm unit

Alarm unit

Size: 185mm x 122mm x 41mm (width x length x depth)
Works in a power cut: approximately 40-hour battery life

Paying for your subscription

Do I pay VAT?

You may not need to pay VAT on your personal alarm

If you, or the person you are buying the alarm for, have a condition that requires regular medication or are registered disabled then you may be eligible for VAT exemption.

In fact, 94% of our customers do not pay VAT on their orders,

If you think you qualify as VAT exempt, you can select this option when ordering online. We'll ask you to provide some details and take care of the rest for you.

For the purposes of the VAT relief, you are chronically sick or disabled if:

You have a physical or mental impairment which has a long-term and substantial adverse effect upon your ability to carry out everyday activities.
You have a condition that the medical profession treats as a chronic sickness, such as diabetes.
You have a terminal illness.

Provided below are examples of medical conditions which may be applicable:

Alzheimers	Endocarditis
Addison's disease	Epilepsy
Angina	Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disorder
Ankylosing Spondylitis	Glaucoma
Arthritis	Haemophilia
Asthma	Hypertension
Benign Prostate Hypertrophy	Hypothyroidism
Bronchiectasis	Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Cancer	Motor Neuron Disease
Cardiac Arrythmias	Multiple Sclerosis
Cardiac failure	Myasthenia Gravis
Cardiomyopathy	Osteoarthritis
Chronic Bronchitis	Osteoporosis
Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease	Paget's disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder	Pancreatic Disease
Chronic Renal Disease	Paraplegia
Chronic Urinary Tract Infection	Parkinson's disease
Coronary Artery Disease	Peptic Ulcers
Crohn's Disease	Peripheral Vascular Disease
Cryoglobinaemia	Pituitary Adenomas
Cystic Fibrosis	Psoriasis
Deep Vein Thrombosis	Psychosis
Dementia	Quadraplegia
Dermatomyocitis	Rheumatoid Arthritis
Diabetes	Stroke
Diverticulitis	Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Dysrhythmia	Thrombocytopaenia
Dystonia	Thyroid Disorder
Emphysema	Transient Ischaemic Attack
	Ulcerative Colitis

Frequently asked questions

How long do the smoke detector batteries last?
The smoke detectors have a battery life of 10 years. They perform a regular self test and alert our Emergency Resolution Team if the battery is low. This means there is no need to worry about the battery running out and you not knowing.
The smoke detector battery cannot be replaced, there is two year warranty on smoke alarms and batteries. After 2 years we can replace the smoke detector for a £99 fee (£118.80 including VAT).
What is covered by the personal alarm lifetime warranty?
The personal alarm lifetime warranty covers the personal alarm pendant and alarm unit. If your personal alarm pendant or alarm unit develops a fault or stops working at any time whilst you are a customer, we will either repair or replace the equipment for you. If the pendant alarm battery needs replacing, then we'll change that too. There is no charge for this service. The smoke detectors have a two year manufacturer warranty.
Does the smoke detector require wiring?
There is no electrical work or wiring required. The smoke detectors automatically send a remote call to the personal alarm alarm unit which then calls the Emergency Resolution Team.
How do I set up the smoke detectors?
An experienced Telecare Consultant will set everything up for you, test your alarm and show you how everything works. We will be in touch to arrange a suitable time and date that works best for you. There is no self installation option available because we need to test the smoke detectors so we know they will work in an emergency.
Do I need a telephone landline to use the smoke detector package?
Yes, the alarm unit connects to a telephone landline and uses this to call our Emergency Resolution Team.
What happens when smoke is detected?
Our Emergency Resolution Team will be alerted automatically if the smoke detector detects smoke. The Emergency Resolution Team will call the alarm user to confirm the situation. If there is a fire, or if they cannot speak to the alarm user, they will call the Fire Service immediately.
What happens when I press my personal alarm button?
When the personal alarm button on the pendant is pressed you will be quickly connected to our 24-hour Emergency Resolution Team. They will know who you are and where you are calling from so they can direct help to you even if you are unable to speak.
The Emergency Resolution Team will get help to resolve any emergency, such as falls, cold callers or intruders by calling your emergency contacts or the emergency services.
Can I use the personal alarm in the garden?
Yes, it works up to 75 metres / 246 feet from the alarm unit so you can go about your daily life knowing you can get support if it is needed. As part of the set-up process, we will ask you to test your alarm from different locations so you are confident of getting help around your home.
What if I want to pay the set-up costs and someone else pay the subscription?
No problem! Many of our customers order on behalf of family members who want to pay the subscription themselves. Simply pay by debit/credit card online for the set-up and first subscription payment. Your confirmation email will include a link to the Direct Debit instruction. The person who will be paying the subscription can use this link to complete the Direct Debit instruction or call our Customer Services team, 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday on 0800 085 7371.
Do I own the equipment?
The equipment is rented from us for the duration of your contract. This means that if the equipment develops a fault, we will repair or replace it free of charge. When you no longer require our service, we will provide a Freepost Royal Mail return collection bag to make it as easy as possible to return the equipment.

Why choose Taking Care?

Trusted by our alarm users and their families

Over 200,000 happy customers since 2008. Rated Excellent on .

Key safes and installation

Add a key safe to your smoke detector package and we will fit it for you, at no extra cost.

Key safe for £65.99 inc VAT

If your loved one needs assistance, it’s reassuring to know that neighbours, carers, and if necessary, the emergency services can quickly gain access to their home.

With a key safe, there is always a way to get help to your loved one in an emergency.

A key safe is a secure, weatherproof box that allows your loved one to keep a set of keys outside their home.

It can be fitted to any brick built or concrete external wall, outhouse or garage and is designed to hold up to three Yale-type or one deadlock key.

If you order a key safe, please have a spare key ready to store in it.

Key safes

Installation service included

We will call you to arrange a suitable time for the installation.

The Telecare Consultant will answer any questions you have and make sure you are happy with how it works.

They’ll install the sensors and personal alarm, show you how to use it and do a range test around your home and garden, testing the connections to the Emergency Resolution Centre.

The Telecare Consultant will also fit your key safe, if you have ordered one.

Installation is normally within 21 days of ordering.