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This is a sponsored post for GreatCall 5Star Urgent Response. It was written by 5M4M Contributor Kari Crum. While Kari was compensated for this promotional post, all opinions and views expressed are her own.
My older kids each have their own cellphone. This is a great way for us all to be able to communicate and keep in touch whenever we are apart. However, my youngest son does not yet have a cellphone. He is twelve years old and needs to mature just a little bit more before he is ready for that responsibility .
There are times when he is away from us, such as walking home from school. In these instances, I would like to know that he has something that could help keep him safe and protected if needed.
The GreatCall 5Star Urgent Response is a device that does just that. It is a small personal safety tool which allows the user to immediately connect with a NAED (National Academies of Emergency Dispatch) Certified Response Agent.
Any time the user feels scared, threatened, lost, or finds themselves in an emergency situation, one press of a button is all it takes. The Response Agent speaks to the user to assess the situation. They can access the user’s medical information, connect to a live nurse, or even dispatch 911-emergency services. The 5Star is a GPS so even if the user does not know or cannot say where they are, they can be located very quickly. The agent will stay on the line until the situation is resolved.
I had the opportunity to try out the 5Star Urgent Response. It arrived in the mail with instructions on how to set up an account and how to activate the device. This was a fairly simple procedure. Your contact and medical information can be completed online or by phone.
I called and spoke with a GreatCall customer service agent who helped me with the process. She was friendly and informative, explaining everything about the device and what would happen in various circumstances. She patiently answered all of my questions. I just can’t say enough good things about the customer service experience I received – it was top notch!
This personal emergency response tool will be perfect for those times when my son is walking home from school. If something were to happen, he has an immediate way to ask for help. A feature that I really love about the 5Star is this – if for some reason, my son did not show up at home after school and I was unable to find him, I could call GreatCall Customer Service and have them immediately use the GPS on his device to tell me his exact location.
Another helpful feature involves the one-touch button. If you simply press and release the button, you will be connected with the Emergency Response Agent. But, if you press and hold the button for at least 5 seconds, you will be directly connected with 911. All of this gives me peace of mind and an added sense of security for those times that I may not be with my child.
The device is very small and lightweight. It can be clipped onto a belt or worn on a lanyard around your neck. I love that it is so compact and portable. And, it is so straight-forward to use. Simply plug it in to charge once per day and it is ready to go – there are no complicated buttons or cords to deal with. I was able to place a test call and see what it was like to speak with a live agent. Communicating over the device was easy and I could clearly hear and understand everything the agent said.
My son found the device easy to handle and quickly understood how it worked. One thing that concerned me was the possibility that my son might accidentally push the emergency button. The GreatCall customer service agent assured me that if this were to happen, my son would be able to hear sounds and someone speaking to him from the device. He would simply need to tell them that everything was okay and he pressed the button by mistake. If for some reason, he did not respond, they would treat it as a true emergency.
Overall, I loved our experience with the 5Star Urgent Response. While I tested it for use with my child, I also think it would be a wonderful tool for many others, such as seniors, college students, or single women living alone. My mother is 75 years old and lives alone. She has a cellphone but is not very good about using it – technology intimidates her.
The 5Star would be much easier for her to carry and use as a medical alert system. My daughter will be going off to college next year. I think a 5Star would also benefit her, especially if she is walking around campus alone or at night. This is definitely a personal safety tool worth checking out!
For more information and to find out how to purchase the 5Star Urgent Response, please visit the GreatCall website. You can also connect with them on their social media channels:
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T.h.Ransom says
This would be good for when my niece goes to sports after school and may be there until dark.
JoBeth says
Since I have little help I would have someone to respond if we had a flat coming from school or going to the doctor etc
Tabathia B says
I would feel better about my daughter living on campus
Staci A says
It would make me feel secure if my son ever has to walk home from school without us.
chana says
make her and i feel more secire
mamotts says
safety at – on way- from school
Shelly Leatham says
It would be perfect for my daughter when she has to walk around the campus after school!
Jessica T says
For when he wants to play out front at the park – I’m trying to give him more independance. . . scary!
Ruth Hill says
I have a 10-year-old daughter who is becoming increasingly independent, and this would give me peace of mind concerning her.
Susan P. says
I would have my 84 yr old MIL keep this on her since we worry about her living alone. A lanyard would work for that.
Mia Dentice Carey says
It would help buy him time to escape or attract attention for perhaps some adult to help him.
Mia Dentice Carey says
It would buy him time to escape or attract attention for perhaps some adult to help him. ***
Mia Dentice Carey says
It would buy him time to escape or attract attention for perhaps some adult to help him.
Melissa P. says
It would bring him peace of mind if anything ever happened while walking home from school or if he was home alone.
Charlene S says
It would help to know where they are all the time.
Sonya Morris says
My daughter will be going to college next year & this would be great for her.
sara haaf says
I would give this to my son for just in case.
Erica Best says
i would give this to my nephew to put in his backpack
Veronica says
What a great tool perfect for any age kid to become more aware and feel safer
amanda hardesty says
It would give me more peace of mind about them being with friends
Noreen says
My niece will be walking home from school
heta s says
My daughter needs one so we can coordinate swim practice pick up drop off in winter months.
Barbara Platt says
I worry about bullying at school and my 1st grade granddaughter being alone. I would feel safer if she had this so it would only take a push of a button.
Heather Hayes Panjon says
It Would Help Take A Measure Of Safety For The Kids Walking To And From School.