RELATIVES of old and vulnerable people can get peace of mind from a new service.

The 3rings mobile phone and PC app uses a special plug to let up to ten people know when a loved one uses an electrical appliance like a kettle or television–showing they are up and well.

Durham County Council offers the app through its Care Connect service.

Linda Ogilvie, Care Connect manager, said: “The app is a really simple, affordable way of offering people that little extra reassurance if their relative is older or vulnerable.

“It will send live updates to your phone or PC to let you know when your relative is settling down to watch the TV, putting the kettle on for a cuppa or heating something in the mircowave.

“So if your dad usually uses the kettle between 7am and 9am, the app will send an alert letting you know whether or not this has happened, meaning you can rest assured that your loved one is up, active and well.”

To use it people need to buy a plug, which is inserted between an appliance and the socket, which connects to the app and sends information to family members or friends.

The plug is purchased with a one or two-year subscription and no internet connection is needed as the plug contains the same type of sim card as used in a mobile phone.

And as many as ten people at a time can receive alerts and the system is said to be quick and easy to set up.

Care Connect offers a range of products designed to help people remain independent in their own home.

Visit durham.gov.uk/careconnect, call 03000-262195 or email care.connect@durham.gov.uk