Careium launches smart detectors for increased security and fire safety

A forgotten candle, an unsupervised cooktop or a dropped cigarette. Every year far too many people die from fire-related accidents, but with the right technology it is possible to increase security in the home.

Having a good smoke alarm is often described as being the cheapest life insurance you can have. Now Careium is introducing new, advanced smoke, heat and carbon monoxide detectors with a battery life of 10 years that can be interconnected to each other and to social alarms. Smoke detectors detect smoke and are best at identifying an actual fire. Heat detectors detect heat and are ideally installed in kitchens where a regular smoke alarm can generate unnecessary false alarms. Carbon monoxide detectors warn of the presence of carbon monoxide gas in the air and of harmful levels of this gas.

As the detectors can be interconnected, all alarms installed in the home will sound if one of them is activated. When detectors are interconnected, people learn of the danger earlier and have more time to get to safety and call for help. Interconnected fire detectors are becoming increasingly common, and since February 2022 they have been required by law in, e.g., Scotland (Scottish Government, 2022).

“By interconnecting detectors, you avoid the risk of not hearing the alarm if you are in another part of the house. This is especially important for older people who often suffer from hearing loss,” says Peter Cullin, Product Manager at Careium, continuing, “The time it takes to hear the alarm can be the difference between it being a minor accident or a major tragedy.”

Studies show that fire detectors that are effective for younger target groups are not as effective for the elderly and aids other than basic fire protection are generally required (Runefors, M., 2020). Elderly people are heavily overrepresented in the statistics of those who perish in fires every year, possibly as a result of motor deficiencies, the influence of heavy medications, memory difficulties and impaired vision or hearing. According to Statistics Sweden, the number of elderly people who choose to remain at home will only increase in the future. Therefore, greater measures are required to break the trend of these gloomy statistics (Swedish Fire Protection Association, 2022, Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, 2022).

 “Our elderly are at the biggest risk when it comes to being injured or killed in a fire. Appropriate aids can be a matter of life or death,” says Peter Cullin.

Careium smoke, heat and carbon monoxide detectors can be directly connected to social alarms. This is a small measure, but it circumvents the elderly person needing to identify the danger themselves or risk not having time to react. At the social alarm receiving centre, priority is given to alarms triggered by fire or the presence of carbon monoxide gas and are forwarded within seconds. Through the social alarm, the alarm operator can be informed of the danger and communicate directly with the elderly person to help them understand the situation and, if possible, get to safety. By connecting the detectors to the social alarm, it is also possible to set other preferences. For the hearing impaired, the high-frequency tone emitted by an alarm is often difficult to hear so it is possible to change and customise the signal. It is also possible to set a voice alarm which may feel less intimidating.

Installing smoke and heat detectors that can be interconnected to each other and to social alarms increases security for the individual, relatives and home help services. There are also major advantages to municipalities working preventively with fire safety. A study conducted collaboratively between Careium and Karlstad University concluded that there are direct economic benefits to installing smoke alarms that are directly connected to an alarm centre for older people who have social alarms, as this is an effective way of preventing accidents (A. Carlsson, 2021).

With the new interconnected Careium smoke, heat and carbon monoxide detectors, it is easier to prevent injuries and even save lives. It is possible to increase security throughout the home by interlinking several detectors, avoiding the risk of not hearing an alarm in another room. For older people who may have difficulty both reacting and responding to an alarm, connecting detectors to social alarms can reduce the risk of unnecessary accidents.

More news

Putting Users at the Heart: The Power of Careium’s User-Centric Design

The Power of User-Centric Design From analogue to digital, from 2G to 4G: Our welfare technology has come a long way since we started 50 years ago. Ov...

ABG's Investor Days 22 - 23 May 2024

ABG’s Investor Days 2024 At the end of May, our CEO Christian Walén visited ABG’s Investor Days. Our industry is currently undergoing a si...

IoT Talks 2023

IoT Talks 2023 In November 2023, our CEO Christian Walén attended the Tele2 IoT Talks in Sweden, an event dedicated for “Internet of things&#822...

The future of care is digital

The future of care is digital We are living longer than ever. The global life expectancy is increasing annually and is expected to be 77 by 2050 – com...

Good design is appreciated – regardless of age

The pendant alarm that shows good design is appreciated – regardless of age A pendant alarm connected to a social alarm can help to make everyday life...

TEC increases quality of life in Trelleborg

Technology enabled care increases quality of life for Trelleborg’s residents The municipality of Trelleborg, Sweden, is one of more than 100 municipal...

The alarm trigger that looks like jewellery!

Ellis by Careium looks like jewellery! A radio trigger connected to a social alarm allows seniors and vulnerable adults to remain living in their own ...

"Our monitoring centres provides safety and well-being for our service users"

How our monitoring centre provides peace of mind Our monitoring centres are available around the clock, all year round, and offer an important lifelin...

A helping hand in the event of an alarm, for those who need it

A helping hand in the event of an alarm, for those who need it Our monitoring centres in Malmö and Kalix answer around 15,000 calls every day, from mo...

A story from our alarm receiving centre

What it’s like to work in an alarm receiving centre Andreas works at our alarm receiving centre in Malmö. He was asked to share what it’s ...

Mobile social alarms contribute to increased safety

Mobile GPS alarms can provide greater safety to those with dementia All too often there are reports about new searches for a missing person. That pers...

GPS-alarms help seniors stay more active

GPS-alarms help seniors stay more active Many seniors live independent lives without wanting to rely on a relative or the health care system. They lov...

Pandemic sees increased interest and demand for remote monitoring

Pandemic sees increased interest and demand for remote monitoring The corona pandemic has resulted in many valuable reflections and has taught us some...

Europeans are positive about ageing

Europeans are positive about ageing We are living longer and an increase in the average lifespan will mean an increase in the number of older people i...

Eliza, the next generation digital social alarm

Eliza, the next generation digital social alarm Health and social care is facing substantial changes in the form of a growing elderly population and s...

Reducing loneliness among the elderly

Reducing loneliness among the elderly While the pandemic has affected all of us, few have been hit harder than the elderly. As a risk group, they have...

Strategic technology acquisition of Victrix SocSan

A strategic acquisition of Victrix SocSan To strengthen our technology platform and increase the possibilities for innovative offerings in technology ...

How award-winning design is helping older adults live safely and with dignity at home

How award-winning design is helping older adults live safely and with dignity at home We are dedicated to help older adults live safely and with digni...

Careium acquires Eldercare Limited

Acquisition of Eldercare (UK) Limited: further strengthening our position in the UK market In line with our strategic ambition to become a European ma...

Technology can reduce loneliness among seniors

Technology can reduce loneliness among seniors In these times of lockdown, shielding and social distancing, loneliness and isolation can increase. Oft...

Social Alarm Eliza wins IF Design Award

Social alarm Eliza wins iF Design Award Personal alarm Eliza has been recognised as a product of outstanding design at the iF Design Awards 2020 in Ha...