Tag/Security Alarm in shops

I have been aware that the security alarm goes off when I enter and leave my local supermarket but tonight I was stopped by security.  He was fine but I am not happy about it because it creates stress everytime I try to do an everyday activity.

It has happened in other stores and security have always been lovely once I have explained but it is still an unpleasant experience.  It is unpleasant because you are half expecting it everytime you visit a shop, because it is like having a flashing light on your head saying "I am different" and because people think you have been shoplifting.

I am not alone, I did a Google search and the following link came up but a Pacemaker Club search doesn't find it:

https://www.pacemakerclub.com/message/28926/tag-alarms-in-shops

I do think that we need to stand up for ourselves a little bit.  It is clearly possible to set the alarms so that they do not go off because of a pacemaker because they don't go off in all shops with security detectors.

Is there anyway that Pacemaker club can make representations to major chains to ensure that their detectors are set so as to avoid this embarrassment?

 

 


5 Comments

Lord

by The real Patch - 2017-08-25 15:03:09

There are just so many people who are angry at the world. I'm not a doctor but reading just a couple of your posts I suspect your type A personality is what caused your heart issues.

This is a simple problem with a simple solution...pay for the merchandise before you leave the store...problem solved.

stores

by Tracey_E - 2017-08-25 15:52:56

The stores each have their own settings, there are no standards or guidelines. In the 23 years I've been paced, I can count the times I've set off alarms in stores on one hand. And my husband can assure you, I've done more than my fair share of shopping, I mean testing, over the years. It's very rarely a problem. In the times it happened, security only approached me once and the encounter took less than 5 seconds. I said I have a pacemaker, everyone smiled and said have a nice day.

Setting off shop alarm hasn't happened to me

by LondonAndy - 2017-08-26 10:12:20

So can't comment on this.  I don't even set off the airport arches when I walk through.

Andy, Airports

by Tracey_E - 2017-08-26 11:08:21

Andy, the alloys they use now do not set off alarms at the airport. In the past, they rarely set it off, but we were told not to go through because it's possible it could interfere with the pacer. In reality it only takes a second to get through it so even if it interferes, it's not going to do any damage. There were a few isolated cases of settings getting messed up and resetting to factory default. Very very few cases, many years ago. After 20 years of pat downs, I rejoiced when the 3D scanners came out! Now, I go through whatever line is open. 

Tag/Security Alarm in shops

by Claret - 2017-08-29 15:15:11

Well, to start with I have good news.  I have raised the issue with my local supermarket and they have adjusted the settings and the problem is no more!

I am dissappointed at some of the personal comments that have come my way when all I am trying to do is deal constructly with issues and complications that sometimes arise.  I am not alone in finding this a problem, it was happening everytime I went to my local shop and I would have acted the same as the others had it been once in a blue moon.  The early thread that I referred to that seems to be no longer available was from a member that had legitimate concerns.  Thankfully she hadn't undergone an ill-informed character assassination and had received some sympathetic and supportive responses.

I had an issue a couple of years ago with the standard of the document that was being presented in the UK to pacemeaker wearers to keep with them.  It was an A4 piece of paper that wasn't designed to last and didn't easily into a wallet.  As a result, several people received much more practical credit card sized plastic documents.  I am proud to have helped make their lives a little bit easier.

It is neither my intension nor my style to become angry or to engage in conflict with those who, at the end of the day, are happy to help us but need dialogue and feedback in order to do so.

Finally, it is inappropriate to to apply derogatory labels to any member of this site not to claim that they are in some way responsible for having brought on the condition for which they have had a pacemaker fitted.     

For the record, I am not a type A personality.  Like most people, I can display type A and type B depending on circumstances at any given time.  The whole concept of type A and type B personalities is outdated and has been criticised because it came about through resaerch funded by the tabacco industry which was despirate to find alternative causes of heart disease.  My pacemaker was fitted for Heart Block, for which causation has never been established.  Heart Block is not believed to be genetic nor brought on by life style - with the possible exception that endurance athletes may have a higher incidence.   

You know you're wired when...

Your ICD has a better memory than you.

Member Quotes

We are very lucky to have these devices.