Why You Should Turn On Fall Detection on Your Smartwatch

Picture this: You’re carrying a stack of laundry, weaving around the house like a circus juggler.

Suddenly, gravity wins. You’re down. You’re dazed. Your phone? Out of reach.

Now what?

Well, if you’re wearing a smartwatch, this is where fall detection swoops in like a tech-savvy superhero. Your smartwatch, the same gadget you use to track steps and check the weather, can call for help faster than you can remember where you left your phone.

Fall detection is one of the most life-saving features of modern smartwatches. But, like that treadmill you swore you’d use, it only helps if you actually turn it on.

So, let’s explore how this incredible feature works, why it’s essential, and how to set it up on different smartwatches.

Real World Examples

Does this tech really work? Yes, and it is literally a life-saver.

Here’s a story of how it helped an elderly woman who fell. It was shared on Reddit by a police officer who responded to an automated call from an Apple Watch.

The woman’s watch notified the police that it detected a fall and provided the woman’s location. When the officer got to the house, here’s what he found, in his own words:

“I get to the residence and notice all the lights on. Someone is home. Knock on the door, no answer. Through the glass panes I notice pictures of a family but mostly of an elderly woman so to me I kind of thought that’s who lived here.

The door luckily was unlockedUnlocked means that restrictions have been removed from a device, app, or digital content, so you ca... More. I opened it, announced myself, and I just heard groaning. I ran upstairs and found the elderly lady laying on her back, half her face covered in blood.

Right away I call Emergency Health Services for medical attention. She was telling me that throughout the day she had been feeling nauseous and when she got up to go to the kitchen, she fainted. Next thing she knew, she was waking up in blood.”

Luckily, this woman received medical treatment and made a full recovery. If she hadn’t been wearing one, this story could have had a much sadder ending.

This story is just the tip of the iceberg. These watches have been credited with saving numerous lives.

🪜There’s the guy in Texas who fell off a ladder while cleaning his gutters. His watch called for help while he was sprawled on the ground.

🥾A hiker who tripped and injured her leg in a remote area. Even without call service, the watch’s fall detection sent an alert to her emergency contact.

⌚The 92-year-old gentleman in North Carolina was rescued after his watch detected a fall and called his family – all while he was unconscious and couldn’t reach his phone.

Bottom line: this tech works!!

How Does This Magic Work?

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Is there a tiny acrobat inside my watch monitoring my every move?“

Not quite. Though, that would be entertaining. 😁

Instead, smartwatches use sophisticated sensors that constantly monitor how you’re moving.

Think of them as those motion sensors that turn on your porch light when someone walks by, except these are much smarter and won’t be triggered by the neighbor’s cat.

These sensors can tell the difference between you enthusiastically conducting an imaginary orchestra in your living room and actually taking a fall.

When they detect a sudden movement followed by a lack of movement (that’s the fall pattern), they spring into action faster than your grandson can say, “OK, Boomer.”

If you don’t respond within a set time (usually around a minute), the watch will notify your emergency contacts or local emergency services.

4 Big Benefits of Using Fall Detection

Why should you care about this? Here are 4 important reasons:

1. Peace of Mind: Whether you’re home alone or hiking the trails, fall detection ensures help is just a wrist-tap away.
2. Fast Emergency Response: The feature doesn’t wait for you to grab your phone or yell for help. It acts immediately.
3. Perfect for Seniors: Falls are one of the most common causes of injury among seniors. This tech offers a safety net for those who need it most.
4. Real-Life Heroes: This technology isn’t just fancy. As the police officer’s Reddit story shows – it saves lives!

How to Set Up Fall Detection on Popular Smartwatches

(Note: Tech companies love rearranging things. If the instructions below aren’t exact, the tech fairies have probably moved things around. Try searching for the setting on your device. If that doesn’t work, ask a trusted friend or family member for help, or do a quick web search for instructions using your device model and software version.)

Apple Watch

Apple makes it easy—if you’re 55 or older, fall detection is turned on by defaultDefault refers to the pre-set option or setting that is automatically chosen if no alternative is sp... More. If not, here’s how to activate it:

1. On Your Watch:
   • Open the Settings appAn app (short for application) is a program that helps you do specific tasks on your smartphone, tab... More.
   • Tap SOS > Fall Detection.
   • Turn it on and select “Always on” (we recommend this).
2. On Your iPhone:
   • Open the Apple Watch app.
   • Tap My Watch > Emergency SOS > Fall Detection.
   • Toggle it on.

Pro Tip: If your watch is paired with an iPhone 14 or later, you can also enable Emergency SOS via satellite for coverage in remote areas.

Samsung Galaxy Watch

Samsung’s fall detection feature is off by default, so you’ll need to enable it manually:

1. Connect Your Watch: Open the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone.
2. Access Safety Settings: Tap Watch Settings > Safety and Emergency.
3. Enable Fall Detection: Toggle Hard Fall Detection on.
4. Add Emergency Contacts: Share your location or set it to call emergency services.

Fun Fact: You can adjust the sensitivity to reduce false alarms. So, if your watch thinks clapping enthusiastically is a “fall,” you can fix that.

Google Pixel Watch

Here’s how to set up fall detection on Google’s newest smartwatch:

1. Open the Settings menu on your PixelA pixel is like a tiny dot that helps make up the pictures you see on your phone, computer, or TV. T... More Watch.
2. ScrollScrolling is a fundamental action used to navigate through content on digital devices, such as compu... More to the Safety section and enable Fall Detection.
3. Add emergency contacts in the Personal Safety app.

Why GoogleGoogle is a multinational technology company known for its internet-related products and services, i... More gets bonus points: It integrates seamlessly with other Google tools, like location sharing in Google Maps.

Kanega Watch

The Kanega Watch is specifically built for seniors with fall detection in mind. The Kanega Watch doesn’t need a smartphone to function, making it a great option for those who prefer simplicity.

1. Activate Voice Commands: Enable fall detection through the app or by voice.
2. Emergency Alerts: When a fall is detected, it contacts an emergency response center directly.
3. Other Features: Includes medication reminders and voice controls.

Downside: It comes with a subscription fee ($59.95/month). Upside: It’s worth it if safety is a top priority.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

So, you’ve decided to turn on fall detection—smart move!

But before you strut around feeling like James Bond, there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure it works like it’s supposed to.

1. Wear It Snugly

Think “comfortably snug,” not “circulation-cutting tight.”

You don’t want the watch to flop around like a loose bracelet. Because, if it does, it might miss a fall or get confused by your overly enthusiastic wave to the neighbors.

2. Keep It Charged

Fall detection is useless if your watch is dead—just ask your great-aunt’s hearing aids. Make charging your watch a daily habit, like brushing your teeth or muttering about “kids these days.”

3. Don’t Worry About Privacy

You won’t hear us saying don’t worry about privacy often. But in this case, “don’t worry about privacy.”

Yes, fall detection involves sharing your location with emergency contacts or services. But it’s doing so to keep you safe, not to sell your data to the highest bidder.

4. False Alarms? No Big Deal.

Sure, there might be an occasional false alarm, like when you dramatically flop into your recliner. But you can cancel the call.

And, if you don’t, better safe than sorry, right? A little embarrassment beats a missed emergency any day.

Keep these tips in mind, and your watch will be ready to have your back—literally—when you need it most.

Why Everyone Should Enable This Feature

Look, we’re not getting any younger (though some of us are getting better looking). Falls can happen to anyone, whether you’re 25 or 85.

Maybe you’re changing a light bulb, or maybe you’re just trying to recreate that dance move from 1962. Either way, it’s nice to know someone’s got your back – or, in this case, your wrist.

The Future of Fall Detection

Fall detection technology is like fine wine—it’s only getting better with time. Here’s what’s on the horizon:

1. Improved Accuracy

Say goodbye to false alarms when you plop down in your recliner or wave at your neighbor. Future versions are working hard to focus on actual falls while ignoring your dramatic gestures.

2. Smarter Health Tracking

Imagine your smartwatch not just detecting falls but also keeping an eye on your heart rate and other health metrics. It’s like having a tiny, nonjudgmental doctor on your wrist—minus the waiting room.

3. Big Benefits for Healthcare

Fall detection is heading beyond personal use. Assisted living facilities are exploring ways to use this tech to keep an eye on residents and ensure help is just a beep away.

The bottom line? Fall detection is evolving to become smarter, more accurate, and even more helpful. So, you can rest assured it’s not just a safety net but a tool that’s growing with your needs.

Your Smartwatch, Your Lifesaver

Fall detection isn’t just a feature; it’s a lifeline. Whether you’re climbing ladders, hiking trails, or just walking to the kitchen, this technology ensures help is always close by.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your smartwatch, follow the setup instructions, and turn on fall detection today. It’s a small step that could make a big difference—not just for you, but for the people who care about you.

Remember, your watch isn’t just smart—it’s life-saving. Turn on fall detection, and let it watch your back (and your balance).