San Diego, Calif. – June 14, 2011 – As part of the company’s support and sponsorship for the National Safety Council’s June Safety Month initiative, GreatCall, Inc., a leader in wireless services focused on helping its customers stay connected, safe and healthy, today announced the results of its own 5Star Safety survey conducted by TNS Global. This press release is part one of a three part series from the company. The national independent Omnibus poll of 1,000 U.S. adults reveals that Americans are putting themselves in harm’s way with behavior they know is risky.

GreatCall recently announced its new, “first of its kind” 5Star Personal Security™ service – a cell phone-based, mobile personal emergency response system (mPERS).  “We believe that it’s smart for people of all ages to be prepared and proactive with their safety,” said David Inns, CEO at GreatCall.  “We know from our experience that people don’t take all the precautions they should – but the results of this survey were even more revealing than we expected.”

People Admit to Neglecting Basic Safety Rules
A surprising percentage of respondents said they believe many of the “common sense” safety procedures that people are taught from the time they are children still tend to often be ignored.  These include:

• · 72% walk or jog alone in sparsely developed areas
• · 71% forget to lock the doors at night
• 67% drive without enough gas in the tank
• · 64% park in a dark and secluded or remote area
• · 58% go on a blind date without telling someone where they are going

Most People are Unprepared to Deal with Accidents or Attacks
Less than one quarter of respondents believes people are either very (3%) or somewhat (21%) prepared to respond effectively to an accident or attack that threatens their well-being.  A full 56% said people are “somewhat unprepared” and 20% believe people are “very unprepared” for such situations.

“When you pair the fact that most people neglect basic safety precautions with the reality that they’re also unprepared to deal with the consequences of them – it’s a rather distressing picture,” said Bill Yates, VP of Marketing and Sales at GreatCall. “Even if people think that nothing is likely to happen to them personally, they should remember that their family and friends do worry about them and want to know that they are doing all they can to stay safe and well,” said Yates.

Many People are Reluctant to Call 911
While government efforts and regulations have made 911 emergency services available to virtually all Americans, a surprising number of people are reluctant to actually use it, with nearly two-thirds saying that people wouldn’t really know if something was a full emergency – or would not want to believe it was.  Responses were:

• 70% not sure it’s an emergency
• 58% don’t want to believe that the situation might be serious
• 50% don’t want law enforcement involved
• 41% don’t have insurance or the money to pay for a hospital bill
• 36% don’t want to call attention to themselves
• 10% don’t want to disturb the staff of 911

“911 is a critical service in our country; however, this survey reinforces the concern that most people hold off seeking help when they should while others might misuse 911,” said Patrick Adams, Director of Safety Products at GreatCall.  “We make it very clear to our customers that they should always call 911 in a known emergency.  We also believe our 5Star Personal Security service fills an important gap in overall public safety by supporting our customers with the right assistance – including support with 911 Operators – because people pay a modest amount to have it with them at all times, have unlimited use, and it’s a private, friendly service that does not require people ‘getting up their nerve’ to use it,” said Adams.

To ensure that Jitterbug customers stay safer, GreatCall recommends three easy-to-implement and plan-ahead tips:

• Keep your cell phone charged and ready to use — Our cell phones have become constant companions that keep us connected at all times – and provide a sense of security. Don’t forget to keep your cell phone charged and within easy reach of a back pocket or in your purse — particularly when on-the-go.
• Be aware of your surroundings and prepared — Most people think of kicking, screaming and blocking punches when they hear the term “self-defense.” However, true self-defense begins long before any actual physical contact.  Pay attention to where you are and project an image of confidence. If in doubt and feeling unsure, 5Star Personal Security (Greatcall – Great Safety | 5Star Personal Security) offers simple, reliable, and affordable access to someone you can call on to be safe and secure anytime, day or night.
• Let at least one family member or friend know your whereabouts — Make sure someone knows where you’re going and who is with you. That way, if there is an unforeseen emergency, they’ll know where to look for you and who to look for. With GreatCall’s 5Star Personal Security service, our Response Agents can quickly find your location using GPS and you can log notes as to who is with you just in case something happens.

Follow GreatCall on Twitter: @GreatCallInc; and on Facebook: facebook.com/greatcall

To access company logo and high resolution images, please visit www.greatcall.com/assets

About the TNS Global Survey
This survey was conducted by TNS between May 25 – 30, 2011 on the Online Express Omnibus among 1,000 adults age 18 and over.

About GreatCall, Inc.
GreatCall is a company of “People You Can Count On” to deliver wireless services focused on helping people stay connected, safe and healthy.  The company stands apart from other wireless services providers through its simplified, personalized and humanized approach, as well as its commitment to providing a high-quality customer service experience. The company has been widely praised for its ability to deliver the benefits of innovation and technology in a meaningful and easy-to-use format. GreatCall has received prominent national media accolades from the Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, The New York Times, Washington Post and major TV broadcast networks.

GreatCall’s services, apps and cell phone handsets are sold nationwide at leading retailers such as Best Buy, Sears, Sears Hometown Stores, RadioShack Dealer Franchise, Fry’s Electronics and ShopKo, as well as direct to consumers at 1-800-918-8543 and online at GreatCall.com Service coverage includes the U.S. and Canada. GreatCall is located in San Diego, CA. For more information, please visit www.GreatCall.com