None of these are necessary, given their cost. If you want to keep a basic cell phone around for emergencies, a TracFone or something similar would do just fine. The phones aren't as expensive, and you can just buy minutes as you need them.

Wow! When did Grandparents = inept??

Okay, I get that this is an article about emergency phones. But why is the focus on seniors, whom the writer seems to think are 'dumb'? I'm a grandparent & I'm just as tech-smart as my grandchild. This is a stereotype that's really offensive!

You may also simply keep any of your old phones charged and handy. Upgraded your phone? Keep the old one, charge it, and shut it off and leave it in a drawer, plug it in once every few months to keep the battery charged. All cell phone service providers are required by federal law to accept and send 911 calls, even from phones that are inactive, no matter how old or long they have been inactive.

I have several old phones around the house, that I keep charged and in strategic areas where I might be more accident prone or otherwise need to call someone in an emergency for this reason.

The "dumb phone" label has more to do with contrasting these phones with "smart phones"--with which we're all more frustrated than we'd care to admit (I know I hate my HTC Hero. If it's quicker to use the phone app to call than the 'convenient' shortcut to someone's number, your phone is slow). The article seems to be cribbed from press releases for these phones, which I've most often seen pitched to seniors.

In my case, it's my parents, but I'm old. They are scared of new technology, and I keep trying to get them a cell phone, but they refuse. They still have a giant tape answering machine, and when I bought them a new phone with a digital version, it was a massive issue. Not all grandparents are inept. Hell, my father can rebuild a car blindfolded. But some of them never made the cellphone leap.

Phones like these are something I might be able to talk them into. They LOOK simple, and that is what counts for them.

hng23: "dumb phone" is a common categorization term used to describe non-feature rich smart devices, not in any way reflective of its users, their age, or tech aptitude (a quick Google search will bring a mountain of sources related to its use). As someone who owned and used several "dumb" models well into the smartphone era, I know no offense was intended!

QUOTE; Phones like these are something I might be able to talk them into. They LOOK simple, and that is what counts for them.

@ ethicalcannibal: This FINALLY worked for my parents but it took some convincing. Years ago I gifted them with a cordless phone - 2 handsets + answering machine. (yup you heard me correctly,). It was weeks before they even touched it and NEVER turned on the answering machine, lol. Good luck!

~grandparent of six, smart phone user, not offended :)

(tho i'll cop to having my 9 yr old g-son program my universal remote, lol)

Old-people references aside, this is a good reminder to have a backup for emergencies. I no longer have a landline, but with kids at home, I'm debating what's best and cheapest.

My old cell phones always have battery issues (if I charged weekly, they'd still probably be worthless, even if kept turned off), but I really like the idea of the one that takes a AA battery!

The problem with these phones is that the pay-per-minute services all have minutes that expire after 60-90 days.

How about a plan where I can buy my parents a dumb phone and 20 minutes of non-expiring airtime that they can keep in the glove box or their junk drawer for an emergency?

This post made me think of a related query: what options are out there for a simple emergency phone that could be used by a small child? In case of an emergency, I want my 5-year-old to be able to call 911, but he can't figure out how to do that on my cell phone. Are there land-line or cell-based options out there intended for kids? A related post on this topic would be very much appreciated!

If you have a landline, you can program a button to dial 911. Then decorate the phone in some way so that button stands out. Hopefully, in your area a basic landline (NO long distance contract) is cheap enough. And make that phone a corded phone so it is also your emergency phone if there is, e.g. A blackout. Phone lines have their own source of electricity.

@libbyone @hng23 and others:
As someone who cares for a disabled senior, I definitely see the market for this phone. Many elders have terrible arthritis that makes it difficult, if not impossible, for them to deal with tiny buttons. Hearing (some need a very loud ringer) and eyesight problems (the contrasting colors are great) also make the use of a normal cell phone (not to mention charging it) difficult. Sorry if that distresses all of you "I'll never get old" people, but hundreds of thousands of seniors NEED accommodations like this. And personally, I think these look cool.

These phones were obviously created by industrial designers with some knowledge about and sensitivity for elders and others who lack the abilities so many of us enjoy. A throw away cell, or an old one of my phones, would be as useful to my mother in an emergency as a bright light shining in her eyes would be. Sometimes she is unable to push the buttons on the gigantic landline I keep in the house so she can talk with the family and friends she's cut off from living with me. One of these companies will get my business.

Splitty, on many wireless phones, pressing and holding the "1" key is hardwired to dial 911. (Many people are peeved that they can't store a personal contact in the "1" position) I suggest you confirm with your provider's customer service.