Telecare alarms and power cuts

Guide reference: HG-0053

Quote this reference if you contact us about this guide.

Approx. 3 min read

Keep a care alarm working when the electricity goes off. Digital phone lines and most telecare alarms stop when the electricity goes off unless they have...

Don't worry about power cuts if someone at home uses a telecare or pendant alarm. Plan ahead with your alarm provider and keep a charged mobile for emergencies.

Quick answer

Digital phone lines and most telecare alarms stop when the electricity goes off unless they have battery backup. Ask your alarm company about backup, test after outages, and keep a charged mobile for 999.

More detail

A power cut switches off your router, telephone adapter, and most cordless phone base stations.

Telecare alarms that share the home phone line usually need that line to be working to reach the monitoring centre.

Some alarm base units have a battery that keeps dialling for a short time. Only your alarm provider can confirm yours.

Simple Telecoms does not support care alarms. Power and line planning is shared between you, your alarm company, and your electricity supplier.

During a cut, use a charged mobile to call 999 if needed. See Emergency calls during a power cut

After power returns, wait for your phone box or adapter to restart before retesting the alarm.

Physical line customers may add battery backup for the router box. See Power backup for your phone

Plan before a cut

Ask your alarm provider whether your base unit has battery backup and how long it lasts.
Write down the alarm monitoring number and your alarm provider support number.
Keep a charged mobile in an easy-to-reach place for 999 during outages.
Tell anyone who helps at home where the alarm test button is.
If you have a Physical line, read power backup for your phone for router battery options.
After power returns, restart phone equipment if needed and run an alarm test the same day.
See Care alarm not working if the alarm fails after the line is back.

Common mistakes

Assuming the pendant will always reach the monitoring centre during a cut.
Testing the alarm before the phone line has restarted after power returns.
Not keeping a charged mobile for 999.
Only calling Simple Telecoms when the alarm fails but the phone line works.

Things to know

See Emergency calls during a power cut for 999 planning.
See Care alarms and telecare for the full alarm hub.
See Phone not working after a power cut after electricity returns.
Report alarm faults to your alarm provider, not to Simple Telecoms.

Frequently asked questions

Will 999 work on the pendant during a cut?

Not unless your alarm company confirms battery backup that still reaches the network. Use a charged mobile for 999 when unsure.

Should I test after power returns?

Yes. Wait for the phone line to work, then run the alarm test the same day.

Who fits alarm backup?

Your alarm provider. We do not install or maintain care alarms.

Does backup help the phone too?

Router battery backup on a Physical line can keep the phone online briefly. See Power backup for your phone