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Alarms and safety aids
Many people with epilepsy find it helpful to consider safety aids or equipment that might help them with day-to-day life. For example, an alarm that can alert family or friends when someone has a seizure, or a safety pillow if they have seizures when asleep. This page lists the details of some companies that provide safety equipment. For further details contact each company directly.
Please note: Epilepsy Society does not endorse these companies and we stress that it is a personal choice whether someone uses alarms or other safety aids. Other companies may also provide these types of products.
VAT exemption
Some equipment designed specifically to help people with disabilities does not include VAT. For example, you may not need to pay VAT on a seizure alarm system if you say it is for someone with epilepsy.
- Call the HM Revenue and Customs Helpline on 0845 010 9000 or visit www.direct.gov.uk (opens in a new window) for more information.
Seizure alarms and fall call alarms
The companies listed below provide alarms directly to individuals and costs usually apply (except from the Muir Maxwell Trust). From these companies, 'fall call' alarms cost from around £85 + VAT, and bed seizure alarms from £170-£600 + VAT. Products and costs from other companies will also vary.
Alarm systems are also sometimes available through housing associations or social services departments, and are sometimes called community alarms, 'Lifeline' or Telecare systems. You can ask your social services department for an 'assessment of need' which may show the need for an alarm system. Any charges for community alarms vary from one authority to another, and also vary according to the service provided.
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Aremco
01622 858 502
email: aremco@onetel.com
Epilepsy bed seizure alarms and fall detector alarms. Advice available. Different types or detectors can be linked to the basic alarm unit. Trial period may be available.
EasyLink Electronics
01536 264 869
Automatic fall call detector. Bed seizure alarms with pagers. Advice available.
Safety Systems Distribution Ltd
0800 328 2950
National distributors of various alarm systems including Emfit bed monitoring systems.
Sensorium
0800 056 5454
Range of safety systems including bed seizure alarms. Advice and repair service available.
Tunstall Group Ltd
01977 661 234
A range of safety systems including fall call and mattress alarms, that link to a 'Lifeline' system. Continuous cover connected to a central base in local authorities via a phone line.
Safety helmets
Aremco
01622 858 502
email: aremco@onetel.com
Various sizes, designs and additional features available. Some designs can be made to measure.
G & S Smirthwaite
01626 835 552
Specialised protective helmets in two designs, tailored to individuals' needs. Various sizes and additional protectors are available.
Opcare Orthopaedics
01235 552 828
Medical referral needed. Advice available.
Safety pillows
Safety pillows have small holes in so that someone may be able to breathe through them more easily if they are lying face down during a seizure.
The Helpful Hand
01625 424 438
Safety pillows and mobility equipment. Home assessment available.
Sleep-Safe Products
07092 255 916
Safety pillows. Extra covers available.
Seizure Alert dogs
Support Dogs
0114 261 7800
A charity that provides training for ‘Seizure Alert dogs’ for adults aged 16-60 years. Certain criteria need to be met to have a support dog. Existing pet dogs cannot be trained as Seizure Alert dogs.
Location devices using GPS and mobile systems
Sazo
0800 078 7999
Devices which use mobile phone signals and Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites to locate a person. Advice available. Some units also have a panic button that alerts people by text.
Consumer advice
Ricability
020 7427 2460
An independent consumer research charity providing free and independent reports on products and services for older and disabled people. Information on various types of equipment. Factsheets and guides available.
Disability Living Foundation
0207 289 6111
Helpline: 0845 130 9177
Free advice on a wide range of disability/mobility equipment. Safety advice on showers. Equipment demonstration centres. Free factsheets on safety aids.
© Epilepsy Society
Information produced in June 2011
