Chicago Accident and Injury Lawyer Blog

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning that personal emergency-response buttons worn around the neck present a potential choking hazard. Typically, wearers of such devices can call for emergency button help to their home by pushing the monitored device wearer's "help" button. The FDA is aware of at least six reports between 1998 and 2009 of serious death or choking that occurred when the cord on the buttons became entangled with other objects.

There are more than 750,000 users of the Philips Lifeline Personal Help Buttons in the United States and Canada. The Philips Lifeline Help button is designed to not break away so that it does not fall off during an accident; however, this increases choking risks if the device catches on another object, such as a wheelchair, walker or bed.

The FDA recommends that users of this device, or any other personal emergency-response device worn around the neck, consult their healthcare providers to determine which style of emergency response button is most beneficial to them. The FDA also encourages users to report serious adverse events or product quality problems with the use of this product to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Reporting program either online, by regular mail, fax or phone:

Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm
Regular Mail: Use postage-paid FDA form 3500 available at www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm, and mail to MedWatch5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787
Fax: (800) FDA-0178
Phone: (800) FDA-1088