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AIBU?

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Original poster

To buy a simple/emergency mobile for the house?

26 replies

PanicDisco · 13/04/2023 06:08

So we don't have a landline. Recently I've heard of a few people I know having accidents or collapsing at home. I am in the house a lot on my own with the kids (5 and 3) and I can't stop worrying about what would happen if I took ill. I tried to reach DS how to use my mobile in case of emergency but it was too hard. We settled on him going to find help if anything happened (knock on neighbours' doors) but I'd rather he was just able to call an ambulance.

I've found these simple mobile phone things with docking stations which a lot of people use for the elderly. I think DH thinks I'm mad. Am I BU?

Does anyone use one of these or have any other suggestions?

OP posts:
Lincslady53 · 13/04/2023 06:17

Get a VOIP phone that works just like a landline phone but via your wifi. We are just about to cancel our landline and change to VOIP but we have lousy mobile signal in the house. Once you have bought a VOIP phone there are no monthly charges.

Bs0u416d · 13/04/2023 06:34

I mean this in the kindest way possible but you do sound a little mad 😁

Original poster
PanicDisco · 13/04/2023 06:42

Lincslady53 · 13/04/2023 06:17

Get a VOIP phone that works just like a landline phone but via your wifi. We are just about to cancel our landline and change to VOIP but we have lousy mobile signal in the house. Once you have bought a VOIP phone there are no monthly charges.

Thanks I'll look into it!

OP posts:
Original poster
PanicDisco · 13/04/2023 06:43

Bs0u416d · 13/04/2023 06:34

I mean this in the kindest way possible but you do sound a little mad 😁

Hahah that's fair enough. I am not normally a worrier but this is just stuck going round my head

OP posts:
Hazelnuttella · 13/04/2023 06:46

I do think about this sometimes. We don’t have a landline either. Mobiles can get lost/break/run out of battery.

JamNittyGritty · 13/04/2023 06:47

I kept a landline until both mine had mobiles, so they could use it in case of emergencies, so don’t think you are mad at all. Youngest didn’t get a mobile until she was 11 and there were times she was home alone before then (while I did shopping or similar) and I wanted to know she could contact me and I her if needed.

christmastreefarm · 13/04/2023 06:53

You can set an emergency contact up on an Alexa. So they just ask it to ring.

Original poster
PanicDisco · 13/04/2023 06:57

christmastreefarm · 13/04/2023 06:53

You can set an emergency contact up on an Alexa. So they just ask it to ring.

We don't have an Alexa.

OP posts:
Original poster
PanicDisco · 13/04/2023 06:58

Hazelnuttella · 13/04/2023 06:46

I do think about this sometimes. We don’t have a landline either. Mobiles can get lost/break/run out of battery.

The ones I'm looking at have docking stations a bit like a home phone so that would keep it topped up

OP posts:
Chasingsquirrels · 13/04/2023 07:01

I think it is sensible to have some sort of permanent phone connection, be it a landlines, voip, house mobile.

I am surprised that a 5yo couldn't learn how to use your mobile.

GoodChat · 13/04/2023 07:05

What mobile do you have OP?

h3ll0o · 13/04/2023 07:06

My daughter has been using Alexa to call people since before she was 3. In the short term I’d buy an Alexa and teach them both how to use it. To cover your bases, if something happened to the 5yo, your DH and you, the 3 yo needs to know how to ring for help and an Alexa is incredibly user friendly.

Original poster
PanicDisco · 13/04/2023 07:06

Chasingsquirrels · 13/04/2023 07:01

I think it is sensible to have some sort of permanent phone connection, be it a landlines, voip, house mobile.

I am surprised that a 5yo couldn't learn how to use your mobile.

It's Face ID, and awkward to even get it to go to the emergency screen, it keeps trying to go to camera even if not logged in

OP posts:
Original poster
PanicDisco · 13/04/2023 07:07

GoodChat · 13/04/2023 07:05

What mobile do you have OP?

iPhone

OP posts:
Original poster
PanicDisco · 13/04/2023 07:08

h3ll0o · 13/04/2023 07:06

My daughter has been using Alexa to call people since before she was 3. In the short term I’d buy an Alexa and teach them both how to use it. To cover your bases, if something happened to the 5yo, your DH and you, the 3 yo needs to know how to ring for help and an Alexa is incredibly user friendly.

We're not overly keen on the idea of an Alexa as it's 'always listening'!! Now I do sound batty.

OP posts:
Chasingsquirrels · 13/04/2023 07:08

Ahhhh, I didn't think of the unlocking the screen issue. Duh!

TimeForMeToF1y · 13/04/2023 07:09

Bs0u416d · 13/04/2023 06:34

I mean this in the kindest way possible but you do sound a little mad 😁

The only mad thing is needing to ask the internet about a basic household decision 😂

Unless there is a financial problem why wouldnt you just go and buy one?

h3ll0o · 13/04/2023 07:09

h3ll0o · 13/04/2023 07:06

My daughter has been using Alexa to call people since before she was 3. In the short term I’d buy an Alexa and teach them both how to use it. To cover your bases, if something happened to the 5yo, your DH and you, the 3 yo needs to know how to ring for help and an Alexa is incredibly user friendly.

I’ve changed my mind. I’ve just found out you can’t call 999 on an Alexa and the voip phones do look easy to use

UncomfortableSofa · 13/04/2023 07:11

Perhaps tell them to open the front door and shout for help, or go next door?

Or show them how to unlock your phone using your face.

GoodChat · 13/04/2023 07:17

@PanicDisco how were you teaching him to use it? Could he press the two buttons on the sides (like you're turning it off) so it comes up with the emergency call option?

givenheranextrakey · 13/04/2023 07:30

Check out this screenshot that I just made. I don't know if this is true, but it states VOIP doesn't support emergency calls!

To buy a simple/emergency mobile for the house?
wonkylegs · 13/04/2023 07:35

You can call 999 on voip but if you can't give your location then they can't trace you which they can on landlines/mobiles.

vipvoip.co.uk/voip-and-999-calls-the-full-story/

junebirthdaygirl · 13/04/2023 07:54

We kept our landline even when teens had phones as they often had no credit or were out of battery and if they needed to call us it was great having the landline. Same if we were out and needed to call them. Do whatever suits. Its not mad!!

EmmaEmerald · 13/04/2023 07:59

Ypu're not mad at all
why don't you just keep the landline?

EmmaEmerald · 13/04/2023 08:00

Keep A landline that should say!