Escalation Alerts
If someone misses their daily check-in, the app doesn't immediately alert everyone. It follows a thoughtful 4-stage process — gentle reminders first, urgent alerts only when genuinely needed.
The 4 Stages
Gentle Reminder
Push notification to the user: "Time to check in! Tap 'I'm Okay' to let your loved ones know you're safe."
Who is notified: User only
Second Reminder
Another push notification: "Reminder: Check in now." Maybe they were busy or didn't see the first one.
Who is notified: User only
Alert — Contact Notified
Both the user AND their emergency contact are notified. The user gets: "You haven't checked in for 2 hours." The contact gets: "[Name] hasn't checked in."
Who is notified: User + Contact (push + email. Family plan: + SMS)
URGENT — Immediate Action Needed
Emergency contact receives urgent alert: "URGENT: [Name] hasn't checked in for 6 hours. Please try to contact them immediately."
Who is notified: Contact (push + email. Family plan: + SMS)
What Happens When They Check In
If the user checks in at any point during the escalation, all alerts stop immediately. If Stage 3 or 4 was reached, the contact receives an "All Clear" message:
"Good news: [Name] has checked in and is okay. The earlier alert has been resolved."
Notification Channels by Plan
| Stage | Free | Lifetime | Family |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1-2 (to user) | Push | Push | Push |
| Stage 3 (to contact) | Push + Email | Push + Email + SMS | |
| Stage 4 URGENT (to contact) | Push + Email | Push + Email + SMS |
Common Questions
Can I disable escalation alerts?
You can pause check-ins temporarily in Settings. While paused, no reminders or alerts are sent.
What if they're just napping?
Stage 1-2 are gentle reminders only to the user. Contacts aren't alerted until Stage 3 (2 hours). This reduces false alarms.
Will I get SMS alerts on the free plan?
No. SMS alerts are Family plan only ($19.99/year, billed yearly). Free and Lifetime plans use push notifications and email.
What if the user's phone is off?
If the phone is off, they can't check in or receive reminders. After 2 hours, the contact is alerted — which is the correct response when someone is unreachable.