Can Gizmo Watch Call 911? A Complete Guide

Introduction

Are you considering giving your child a GizmoWatch and want to understand its emergency capabilities? Many parents prioritize safety when choosing a smartwatch for their children. One question that frequently arises is whether the GizmoWatch can call 911. This guide will cover everything you need to know about the GizmoWatch's emergency features, including whether it can communicate directly with emergency services, how to set it up, and how to train your child to use it in emergencies.

By the end of this article, you'll be well-equipped with the information necessary to decide if the GizmoWatch is the right choice for your family and how it can be effectively used in emergencies.

What is the GizmoWatch?

The GizmoWatch is a popular kids' smartwatch developed by Verizon. It is designed to provide a safe, controlled way for children to communicate with their parents and trusted contacts. The watch includes features such as GPS tracking, two-way calling, and messaging, making it an excellent device for staying connected with your kids while giving them a sense of independence.

This watch comes in child-friendly designs and durable construction to withstand daily wear and tear. In addition to communication and tracking, the GizmoWatch offers activity and fitness tracking to promote healthy habits among children. It essentially functions as both a communication device and a fitness tracker, all while ensuring that parents can keep tabs on their child's safety and location.

Understanding the full spectrum of capabilities offered by the GizmoWatch will help us delve deeper into its emergency features.

Emergency Features in Smartwatches

Smartwatches for kids are not just about staying connected; their emergency features offer an extra layer of safety. Parents often look for features like GPS tracking, SOS buttons, and emergency contact lists. These functionalities are designed to give parents peace of mind by ensuring that their children can readily access help when needed.

Many smartwatches allow setting up designated emergency contacts that children can call at the press of a button. Additionally, GPS functionality helps parents know the exact location of their child at any time. Given these general benefits, it’s crucial to examine the GizmoWatch specifically and its abilities regarding emergencies. Let's investigate the emergency features of the GizmoWatch in more detail.

Can the Gizmo Watch Call 911?

Now, the million-dollar question: Can the GizmoWatch call 911? Unfortunately, the answer is no; the GizmoWatch does not have the capability to directly dial 911. This limitation is set to prevent accidental emergency calls, which can be quite common among young children who may not fully understand the responsibility associated with dialing emergency services.

The inability to call 911 might seem like a significant drawback initially. However, the GizmoWatch compensates by allowing users to add up to ten trusted contacts with whom the child can easily communicate in case of an emergency. These contacts can be critical family members, neighbors, or close friends who can act promptly in case of any urgent situation.

This controlled access ensures that help is just a phone call away while minimizing the risk of accidental emergency calls. Plus, the GPS tracking feature helps you know your child's location immediately, allowing you to reach them or send someone trustworthy if an emergency arises.

While the GizmoWatch doesn’t support direct 911 calling, its combination of trusted contacts, GPS tracking, and geofencing capabilities make it a useful device for child safety.

can gizmo watch call 911

How to Set Up Emergency Contacts on Gizmo Watch

Setting up emergency contacts on the GizmoWatch is straightforward. Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Install the GizmoHub App: First, download and install the GizmoHub app on your smartphone. The app is available on both Android and iOS platforms.

  2. Pair the GizmoWatch: Follow the on-screen instructions to pair the watch with your smartphone using Bluetooth or the internet.

  3. Add Contacts: Navigate to the 'Contacts' section in the GizmoHub app. Here, you can add up to ten contacts by entering their name and phone number.

  4. Assign Relationship: You can assign each contact a relationship such as parent, grandparent, or friend, to make it easier for your child to identify whom they are calling.

  5. Save and Sync: After adding all the necessary contacts, click 'Save.' The app will then sync the new information with the GizmoWatch.

With these five easy steps, your child’s watch is equipped with the right contact list to use during emergencies. It’s a good idea to perform a test call to ensure everything is set up correctly and working as expected.

Training Your Child to Use Gizmo Watch in Emergencies

Once you've set up the GizmoWatch with emergency contacts, it's essential to train your child on how to use it effectively. Here are some tips to consider:

  • Familiarize with Contacts: Ensure that your child knows who each contact is and under what circumstances they should call them. Role-playing different scenarios can help reinforce this.
  • Practice Using the Watch: Show your child how to navigate the watch interface. Make sure they can easily find and call the emergency contacts.
  • Explain When to Use: Discuss situations in which they might need to use the GizmoWatch to make a call, such as getting lost or feeling threatened.
  • Importance of GPS: Teach them that the watch has a GPS feature that helps you locate them quickly if needed.

Training your child will ensure that they feel confident and are able to use the watch responsibly in case of an emergency.

Alternatives to 911 Calling on Gizmo Watch

While the GizmoWatch cannot dial 911 directly, there are alternatives to ensure your child's safety:

  • Trusted Contacts: As discussed, add trusted contacts who can effectively respond to emergencies.
  • Safe Zones: Use the geofencing feature to create safe zones. The GizmoHub app sends you alerts when your child enters or leaves these predefined areas.
  • Continuous Monitoring: Keep the GPS enabled for real-time tracking of your child's location, offering peace of mind that you can quickly intervene if necessary.

These features, although not a replacement for direct 911 dialing, offer robust safety measures for your child.

Conclusion

The GizmoWatch offers an array of functionalities that make it a valuable tool for child safety and communication. Although it cannot directly call 911, the ability to add trusted contacts, utilize GPS tracking, and maintain communication in an emergency are significant benefits. Setting up and training your child to use the GizmoWatch properly can provide peace of mind and a reliable method for them to reach out during any urgent situation.

When selecting a device for your child, it's crucial to understand both its capabilities and limitations. The GizmoWatch, while it has its constraints, remains a strong contender for ensuring your child's safety and well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Gizmo Watch directly call 911?

No, the GizmoWatch cannot dial 911 directly. This limitation is to prevent accidental emergency calls. However, it allows for up to ten emergency contacts to be added for easy access.

What are the emergency contact limits on the Gizmo Watch?

The GizmoWatch allows you to add up to ten trusted contacts. These can be family members, friends, or neighbors who can respond quickly in case of an emergency.

Are there any updates planned for Gizmo Watch's emergency functionality?

As of now, there is no official announcement from Verizon regarding updates that will enable direct 911 calling on the GizmoWatch. However, the company continues to enhance other safety features and may consider this in future updates.