Dear LPG,

I have a story that corroborates something that I read on these pages a few years ago now (►►►).  I read it and could see the sense in it, and I have to say that I followed the advice for a while but then the habit slipped away again.  My thought for today is a variation on that theme. 

They say that most accidents happen in the home but you never think that it will happen to you until something does and, as we get older, it is even more possible that we will find ourselves alone when one happens.  

At about twenty to three one morning last week, I did something that I suspect many people of my tender years find themselves doing in the early hours as we get older. It was my third trip to the loo that morning but desperation set in a little more sudden than usual and the combination of my disorientation having just woken up in a bit of a daze with no time for turning on the light, and my need to rush to the loo at the other end of the hall resulted in my falling half way through my journey.

There was a thud and I have to say that it took me a bit of time to get back on my feet, but no harm was done and I found myself laughing about it, thinking myself lucky and offering a prayer of thanks to the good Lord above.

The incident came up during a telephone conversation that I had later in the day with one of my friends and she reminded me of just how lucky I was not to have broken something or found myself unable to get up. She reminded me that we all hear about people who fall and cannot get up resulting in their being stuck until someone calls them and get no reply, which can take hours or even days.

As I said, this reminded me of the above mentioned article where a concerned writer, who with a parent in mind, urged us all to keep our mobile phones with us if we have one and, while I think that my mobile phone would be the last thing on my mind in that particular situation, the accident prompted me to realise that if I had not removed my Linkline pendant I would have been able to call them. 

So, can I remind readers who have one to wear it even when you go to bed, and especially if you live alone because when you are at home alone it is as important as a mobile phone and if you are wearing it you have that extra layer of protection whatever you are doing.

SK, Addiscombe.

LPG found some information which is quite informative, but it has been put online by a company who sell these alarms. We would like readers to know that we feel the information they offer is worth sharing, but we are not implying that readers should choose this company if they plan to buy one…

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