Maltacom launches new accident alarm service

The Maltacom Group has launched a new service which uses monitoring gadgets to instantaneously report accidents, fires and water leaks in houses or offices through an automatic telephone call.

Named Carelink, the service is similar to Telecare - the service Maltacom offers to the elderly, disabled people or other individuals who might have difficulty living alone.

When a device is activated, a call is directed to a monitoring centre operating 24 hours a day and which follows up every individual case, calling relatives, a doctor or the emergency services until safety is ensured.

What is most innovative is that the devices triggering the alarm may vary from a remote pendant worn around a person's neck to a smoke, flooding or gas leakage detector.

A device called Lifeline 400, that is connected to the telephone set and can take up to 12 wireless and one wired alarm, also allows handsfree speech. The system allows the operators to know which alarm has activated the call, enabling them to assist clients in the best way possible.

Other alarms include a radio pull cord, used to raise alarms in a bedroom or bathroom, a pressure mat, a fall detector worn around the belt or a bogus caller button which a client can activate when a suspicious stranger requests entrance to the premises.

At a press conference yesterday, Maltacom Group chairman Saviour Portelli said the company had recently extended an existing agreement with the government to be able to offer the Telecare service, from which at least 10,000 people are benefiting, for the next five years.

Explaining that Telecare will remain subsidised by the government, Mr Portelli said Maltacom had come up with the concept of Carelink as an additional service offered to clients against payment.

Besides a connection fee and a deposit, which varies according to the package chosen by the clients, Carelink is offered against a monthly rental fee.

Those interested in applying for Carelink may visit the Maltacom branches in Floriana, Valletta or Victoria or call on free-phone 8007 2299.