Safety & Wellbeing

Safewater Alarms Safety Turtle

PRODUCT: Safewater Alarms Safety Turtle (www.safewateralarms.co.uk)

DESCRIPTION: A safety system designed for use as a 'last line of defence' to protect children (and pets) from drowning. Includes Base Station and AC adaptor, coloured Baby Turtle, matching colour Turtle sensor wrist strap with locking buckle, key for locking buckle, and instructions guide. The Turtle and Baby Turtle are available in a range of colours: green, blue, red, yellow, orange and purple.

ASSEMBLY: Setting up the safety system is very easy following the detailed user guide included. Simply secure the Turtle wristband around your child's wrist using the special buckle key to lock it in place. The Base Station should be plugged in using the AC adaptor and ensuring the station is positioned as close to the furthest point of the water source as possible. The Baby Turtle must be inserted into the Baby Turtle receptacle, and only Turtles of the same colour as the Baby Turtle must be used. The Safety Turtle is now ready for use and the wristband will send a radio signal to the Base Station if it is immersed in water, activating an alarm. It is advised however that the system is properly tested before each use by following instructions for the 'Test' mode.

GOOD POINTS: The Safety Turtle is a wonderfully innovative safety product which gives parents extra piece of mind when their children are near swimming pools and ponds, and is ideal for use at home or on holiday. Importantly, the product is not intended to be used as a substitute for parental supervision, and should be used in addition to normal precautions taken to safeguard your child in such situations.

The system consists of a sturdy Base Station with a removable basket on the back for storing any loose parts when not in use. The base must be plugged into an electrical socket for it to work, however a battery pack and weatherproof casing are available to buy separately to make it portable and extend its use to spas, boats, beaches etc. The AC adaptor which comes with the product has a two-pronged EU plug which is great for use abroad, but must be connected to a conversion plug (included) when used in the UK. The Base Station has an 'active' mode for normal use, and a handy 'test' mode for checking that the system is working properly before each use.

The Turtle itself has a friendly design available in a variety of colours to appeal to children. One of its great design features is the locking strap which prevents your child from removing it once it is on. It is also sturdy enough to withstand much rough child play. Additional Turtle wristbands can be purchased separately which makes the system ideal for use with groups of children (as long as all the Turtles match the colour of the Baby Turtle).

The Safety Turtle has a good operating range of up to 200 feet (60 metres), and the alarm that is activated if your child gets into difficulties is sufficiently loud and will continue to sound until it is manually reset. The volume can however be controlled using the button on the top of the Base Station. Usefully, the alarm will not be set off by rain or the garden sprinkler!

Another design feature is that if the system is accidentally left in 'test' mode, it will switch automatically to 'active' mode after 15 minutes. In addition, the base will alert you via a series of beeps and flashes if the AC power is not correct or the Baby Turtle is not properly inserted.

The Safety Turtle comes in a handy zip-up travel case with handle and detachable strap to allow easy transportation wherever you are. In our opinion, this is a great product which is easy and effective to use, and particularly suited to pool and beach holidays.

BAD POINTS: This is an expensive product but does provide piece of mind if your children spend a lot of time around water. The Base Station is limited to indoor use only unless the battery pack is purchased separately.

PRICE: £168