Personal Help Buttons a Potential Choking Hazard

September 2009

Philips Lifeline, a medical service designed to reduce the risk of living alone for the elderly, considers its personal help button to be "great looking," "comfortable and convenient," and "flexible." Sounds great? Think again.

Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to users of the personal help buttons, which are worn around the neck on a cord. The buttons present a potential choking hazard because they are designed to remain in place when pulled, ensuring that they don’t accidentally fall off. This same feature increases the risk that, if caught on a wheelchair, walker, bed with guard rails, or any other object, the defective devices could choke the wearer.

The FDA is currently aware of at least six reported choking injuries and deaths between 1998 and 2009 that occurred when the cord on the button became entangled with other objects. Over 500,000 of the devices are being used in the United States and Canada.