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Safety Button - Customer User Guide

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Feature Availability Notice: 

This version of Safety Button is only available for U.S. and Canadian customers

For information regarding the International version of the Safety Button, see Safety Button - International

Safety Button allows you to connect to police, fire, or emergency medical help with the press of a button in the Alarm.com app. If you feel unsafe, but are not ready to call 911, you can simply hold down the Safety Button. Once you release the button, you can either cancel the event within 10 seconds or communicate with a trained operator, who can dispatch responders directly to your real-time location. In the event you are unable to communicate, emergency responders will be automatically summoned.

You can also create Safety Button Notes to provide more contextual details to the professional operators and Emergency Contacts that can be shared with the 911 operator.

Compatibility requirements

  • A supported service package. For more information, contact your service provider.
  • Android/iOS version 5.3.1+.
  • Precise Location and Location Services must be enabled within the Alarm.com app. For more information, see How do I adjust the location settings for my device?.
  • Override Do Not Disturb or Critical Alerts must be enabled for Android OS or iOS, respectively. For more information, see:
  • Push notifications must be enabled for the Alarm.com app at the device-level and in-app. For more information, see Configure mobile push notification devices.
  • An individual login to the Alarm.com Alarm.com app.
    • In order to facilitate emergency response, the Safety Button creates a device specific link to each login.
    • Multiple users are able to use Safety Button on an Alarm.com account as long as they have their own login credentials and an available license. For more information on creating Secondary Logins, see Create a new login.

Important: If the customer account has over 100 non-intrusion devices synced with their monitoring station, it will not be possible to associate Safety Button licenses through that account, even if there are open licenses available on the account.

Features

  • Personal safety with professional response, all within the Alarm.com app - no additional hardware required
  • Smarter, more advanced way to connect to police, fire, or emergency medical help when you need it
  • Use Safety Button when you feel scared but are not ready to call 911
  • Quickly get help in any situation without the need to dial 911 or make a call or text
  • Text dispatchers and responders in an emergency, just in case you can’t or don’t want to talk
  • When an event is triggered, the operator can share relevant, timely information with first responders that could be important during an emergency
  • When an event is triggered and verified by the dispatch team, the dispatcher can share your emergency contact information with the 911 operator
Using Safety Button with Enterprise or linked logins
  • A Safety Button license is associated with a customer login, and not restricted to a single account.
  • Each login can have only one Safety Button profile, even if the login has access to multiple linked accounts.
  • During onboarding, users with access to multiple eligible accounts may be prompted to choose which account their Safety Button profile is associated with.
  • Once a Safety Button profile is set up, it can be accessed and used from any account the login has access to without switching accounts.
  • The Safety Button experience remains consistent regardless of which linked account the user is currently viewing.

Set up the Safety Button feature for a login

The Safety Button can be set up using the Alarm.com app.

To set up the Safety Button:
  1. Log in to the Alarm.com app.
  2. In Set up Safety Button, tap Get Started.
  3. Tap Next.
    • For Enterprise and linked logins, you will be prompted to select which system within the Enterprise group or linked logins you want to link to your Safety Button profile. Select the desired system, then tap Next.
  4. Enter your phone number, then tap Next.
  5. You will receive a 6-digit verification code by text message. Enter that code, then tap Verify.
  6. Enter your first and last name.
  7. Sharing your location is required for accuracy and success of this feature.
    • If location settings have not yet been enabled, tap Ok, then tap Allow while using the App.
    • It is required to update the location permissions to Always so emergency responders are provided an accurate location. Tap Go To Settings and change the location permissions to Always and tap the Precise Location toggle switch to enable it.
  8. Once this is changed, return to the Alarm.com app, then tap Next.
  9. Practice pressing and holding the Hold until safe button and then releasing when instructed.
  10. An image of your location will display. Tap What If I Don't Need Help?.
  11. Enter your 4-digit PIN, then tap Create.
  12. Tap Done.

Trigger the Safety Button on a customer account

The Safety Button can be triggered using the Alarm.com app.

To trigger a Safety Button event:
  1. Log in to the Alarm.com app.
  2. Tap Safety Button.
  3. Tap and hold down the button.
  4. When Enter PIN if safe displays, the PIN code can be entered within 10 seconds to cancel the alert.
    • If the event is not canceled, a trained operator will receive an emergency request with your name, phone number, GPS coordinates, and PIN code. The operator will then send an SMS text message and attempt a call to confirm if help is needed. If there is no response from the SMS, the operator will attempt to call.
       
      Note: An active event can be canceled by tapping I don't need help. This will prompt the user to verify the cancellation using their PIN code.
       
    • If there is no response or the event is still not canceled, an emergency response will be dispatched to the last known GPS location.
       
      Note: After a call is placed to the user, the user can still choose to reply by text. If no response is given to either method of communication, an emergency response will be dispatched.

Configure a Safety Button profile

Users can include a profile photo and a personal address (e.g., for family members who do not live at the primary account's residence) along with the name and mobile number associated with the Safety Button profile. They can also add Emergency Contacts, provide personal Safety Button Notes, and schedule Check-In Requests, offering additional safeguards and contextual information for a more informed emergency response. These settings can be configured using the Alarm.com app.

Safety Button profile personal information
  1. Log in to the Alarm.com app.
  2. Tap Safety Button.
  3. Tap Configure to review and edit information for the Safety Button profile.
  4. In Safety Button, you can:
    • Tap Manage Subscription to review and update Safety Button license information for the account. For more information, proceed to Can customers remove a login from the Safety Button feature?.
    • Tap Edit to update the profile's First Name, Last Name, and/or profile photo.
      • Update the First Name and Last Name fields as desired.
      • Tap Add Photo or Change Photo to update the profile photo.
        1. Tap Choose Photo to upload an existing picture from your mobile device, or tap Take Photo to open your mobile device's camera and take a new picture.
        2. Once a photo has been selected, you can zoom in or out on the photo to adjust the selected area. When you are finished adjusting the photo, tap Save.
      • Tap Remove Photo to remove an existing profile photo.
      • Tap Save when you are finished making changes.
    • In Contact Information:
      • Tap Mobile to update the phone number associated with the profile.
      • Tap PIN to update the PIN code for the profile.
      • Tap Primary Address to update the address associated with the profile.
Safety Button Emergency Contacts

Emergency contacts can be added to any Safety Button profile. When an event occurs and the dispatch team verifies it, they will share the customer's emergency contacts with the 911 operator.

Note: The police and first responders will determine whether to contact a customer's emergency contact based on their standard protocol for responding to an emergency. Alarm.com will not contact the customer's emergency contact when an event is triggered.

To add Safety Button Emergency Contacts:

Note: There is no limit to the number of contacts that can be added.

  1. Log in to the Alarm.com app.
  2. Tap Safety Button.
  3. Tap Configure.
  4. In Emergency Contacts, tap Add Contact.
  5. Add new or existing emergency contact information.
    • To add a new contact, enter the desired name and phone number.
    • To add an existing contact, tap Add From Contact List, then select the desired contact.
  6. Tap Submit.
Safety Button Notes

Caution: Adding a note is not a replacement for using Safety Button in an emergency. This information is only shared with first responders when a customer triggers an alarm.

Safety Button Notes provide professional operators with more contextual details, such as who the customer plans to meet with or if a suspicious vehicle is parked outside of their home. If the customer triggers an event for assistance, the relevant information is shared with first responders so they can be better prepared for the situation.

To add Safety Button Notes:
  1. Log in to the Alarm.com app.
  2. Tap Safety Button.
  3. Tap Notes.
  4. Tap Add.
  5. Enter the desired note details.
  6. Tap to enable the Mark as Important toggle switch to mark the note as important.
  7. Tap Create.
Safety Button Check-Ins

The Safety Button Check-In feature lets users proactively schedule safety Check-Ins for future dates and times.

Important: The Safety Button Check-In feature requires the Alarm.com Alarm.com app to be on app version 5.9.4+ for Android OS and 5.12.3+ for iOS.

How it works
  • Schedule a Check-In as soon as 5 minutes in the future, or as far out as the last day of the following month.
  • View, edit, or delete scheduled Check-Ins from the Plan Ahead screen on the Alarm.com app.
  • At the requested time, the user receives a push notification for the Check-In. They can respond to the Check-In notification by tapping I'm Safe, Snooze, or Send Help.
     
    Note: The Snooze duration is set to 10 minutes by default. Users can configure the duration to be 5, 10, 30, or 60 minutes.
     
  • If there is no response at all within 10 minutes, location information is shared with a monitoring station operator, as well as any configured Emergency Contacts.
  • If the user does not respond to the monitoring station operator, emergency services are automatically notified.
Configure a Safety Button Check-In

Safety Button Check-Ins can be scheduled using the Alarm.com app.

Important: Check-Ins must be scheduled at least 2 hours apart.

  1. Log in to the Alarm.com app.
  2. Tap Safety Button.
  3. Tap Plan Ahead.
  4. Tap Add.
     
    Note: Users who have not previously created a Check-In Request will be shown a screen that summarizes the feature. They can tap Get Started to continue.
     
    If there are no upcoming scheduled Check-Ins configured, the New Check-in screen automatically pops up after tapping Plan Ahead.
     
  5. Tap the scheduled Date.
  6. Select the date for the Check-In, then tap OK.
  7. Tap the scheduled Time.
  8. Select the time for the Check-In, then tap OK.
  9. Input any additional information regarding the scheduled Check-In using the Why are you requesting this? field.
  10. Tap Create.
  11. Review the scheduled Check-In information, then tap Done.
View, edit, and delete scheduled Check-In Requests

Scheduled Check-In Requests can be reviewed using the Alarm.com app to confirm they are configured as desired. It is also possible to edit or delete scheduled Check-Ins from this screen.

Note: Users can delete a Check-In Request up to 1 minute before it is scheduled.

  1. Log in to the Alarm.com app.
  2. Tap Safety Button.
  3. Tap Plan Ahead.
  4. In Upcoming Check-Ins, review all scheduled Check-Ins.
  1. In Upcoming Check-Ins, tap to select the desired Check-In.
  2. Tap Edit.
  3. Configure the Check-In as desired.
  4. Tap Save.
  5. Enter the PIN code within 10 seconds to confirm the changes.
  1. In Upcoming Check-Ins, tap to select the desired Check-In.
  2. Tap Delete.
  3. Enter the PIN code within 10 seconds to confirm deleting the Check-In Request.
Configure scheduled Check-In snooze duration

The scheduled Check-In snooze duration is set to 10 minutes by default. Users can configure the duration to be 5, 10, 30, or 60 minutes.

  1. Log in to the Alarm.com app.
  2. Tap Safety Button.
  3. Tap Configure.
  4. In Check-In Settings, use the Snooze Duration dropdown menu to select the desired duration when snoozing a Check-In Request.

Frequently asked questions

No. The Safety Button is not a replacement for calling 911. However the Safety Button uses modern technology to make it advantageous for our mobile and connected world:

  • Safety Button allows users to communicate with help using text
  • Safety Button provides highly accurate location data as well as other vital information from the customer's smart device and the Alarm.com app, which can help in an emergency, and can be shared with local first responders in the event help is needed

Note: The process to adjust location settings may vary based on the device.

To adjust location settings on Android devices:
  1. Tap Settings.
  2. Tap Apps.
  3. Tap Alarm.com.
  4. Tap Permissions.
  5. Tap to enable the Location toggle switch.
To adjust location settings on iOS devices:
  1. Tap Settings.
  2. Tap Alarm.com.
  3. Tap Location.
  4. In Allow location access, select Always.
  5. Tap to enable the Precise Location toggle switch.
To enable Location Services using the Alarm.com app:
  1. Log in to the Alarm.com app.
  2. Tap Menu.
  3. Tap App Settings.
  4. Tap Location Services.
  5. Tap the Location Services toggle switch to enable it.

    Location Services.PNG
     
  6. If asked, tap Turn On to turn on Location Services.
  7. Location Services is now enabled for the device and appears as a Geo-Device on the Alarm.com customer website.

Logins can only view the Safety Button feature if there are available licenses and if the login has one of the following permissions: Master Control, Full Control, or Custom logins with the Manage Safety Button permission enabled.

It is possible to view which users/devices on a customer account have an active Safety Button license with the primary user login or logins with the Manage Safety Button permission can view this information using the Alarm.com app.

To view which users/devices have an active Safety Button license using the Alarm.com app:
  1. Log in to the Alarm.com app.
  2. Tap Safety Button.
  3. Tap Configure.
  4. Tap Manage Subscriptions.
  5. In Logins, it will display which logins have an active Safety Button license.

Yes. The primary user login or logins with the Manage Safety Button permission are able to remove logins to free up licenses for the Safety Button feature.

To remove a login for the Safety Button:
  1. Log in to the Alarm.com app.
  2. Tap Safety Button.
  3. Tap Configure.
  4. Tap Manage Subscription.
  5. Tap Disable to disable the feature for the desired login.

No. Safety Button is currently only available to use while within the United States. Users traveling outside the country will see messaging on the Safety Button card noting that this feature is not available while outside the United States.

If a phone loses service or is otherwise disabled after placing a Safety Button call, the last known location of the device will be transmitted to the operator. If signal is restored the user will still be able to cancel the alert through the app, text, or phone call.

No. Safety Button Check-In notifications will push to Apple Watch devices, but selecting your response (i.e., I'm Safe, Snooze, or Send Help) must be done from the paired device.

Safety Button can only be used in countries where the associated monitoring station supports service.

For example, someone residing in Spain and using Safety Button with a monitoring station that provides services only in Spain will not be able to use the Safety Button when visiting neighboring countries.

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