Philips recalls Lifelines after Alberta judge urges replacement
The company that manufactured the medical alert necklace that strangled a 72-year-old Alberta woman after it became entangled on her walker is recalling the device, just days after a judge urged health agencies in Canada to replace them.
Philips Lifeline recalled the non-breakaway neck cord version of Lifeline Personal Help Button pendants Friday.
An investigation by the medical examiner found Elizabeth Bell asphyxiated in February 2013 when her Philips Lifeline pendant, worn around her neck, became entangled in her walker and strangled her.
The company has long acknowledged the cords without the breakaway design pose a strangulation risk if the cord becomes caught or entangled on a wheelchair, walker or other protruding objects.
Philips Lifeline and Health Canada has received two reports of deaths that were possibly related to the affected products in Canada since 2009, the company said in a news release.
Over 100,000 units of the affected products were distributed in Canada prior to 2011.
Since 2011, Philips Lifeline has taken steps to replace them with the new breakaway version of the neck-cord.
Philips Lifeline personal help buttons with breakaway cords are not affected by this recall.
