Epilepsy and Safety
Safety items
Your safety, our priority.
This section is designed to support you in your preventive actions and offer you peace of mind in your daily life.
Advancing the cause of epilepsy is at the heart of our concerns. This space has been designed to facilitate your daily life with epilepsy by promoting your autonomy, creating a safe environment, and reducing potential difficulties and dangers.
Our attention is particularly directed towards individuals with uncontrolled epilepsy, as they are at higher risk of injury during seizures.
This section is for you if:
You Feel a Loss of Control
- You feel like you don’t have control over your own body
- The possibility of having a seizure anytime, anywhere frightens you
- You sometimes wake up in the hospital with no memory
Your Loved Ones are Worried
- Your loved ones express constant concerns
- There are risks of injury during your seizures
- You are looking for ways to reassure your family and friends
Unpredictability Concerns You
“It’s like a sword of Damocles: the onset of a seizure is unpredictable!”
This reality can be a significant source of anxiety, both for you and your loved ones.
Allies in your daily life
The products and solutions recommended in this guide have been tested by our team.
Personalized support
Field experience that makes the difference
We support you for:
- Purchase assistance: advice on choosing the right products for your situation
- Installation support: assistance for optimal setup or a referral to another family
- Personalized follow-up: we remain available to adjust solutions according to your needs
Our Approach is Based on:
- Years of field experience with individuals living with epilepsy
- Valuable feedback from the families we support
- Practical knowledge of daily life's real challenges
- Authentic testimonials that constantly enrich our recommendations
Safety tools for epilepsy
This page has been carefully prepared. However, the field of assistive technologies for epilepsy is evolving very rapidly.
Please note that:
- New tools regularly appear on the market
- Product availability and prices change frequently
- Some applications may be discontinued or updated with new features
Technology for your safety
Smartwatches and mobile applications
Several mobile applications and connected watches are available for individuals living with epilepsy and their loved ones. These tools allow for:
- Improve seizure detection
- Facilitate immediate care
- Optimize recovery
- Simplify daily medical monitoring
CURRENT SITUATION IN CANADA
Important: The Embrace2 watch is no longer available for purchase. Empatica, the manufacturer, has ceased sales of this product and launched its successor, the EpiMonitor, which does not ship to Canada.
Recommended Smartwatches
Specialized Applications
Complementary Applications
Night-time protection
Anti-choking pillow
Essential night-time protection
How it works: These specialized pillows feature :
- Honeycomb structure for air circulation
- Anti-airway obstruction design
- Preserved comfort for quality sleep
For whom :
- People with treatment-resistant epilepsy
- Children and adolescents living with epilepsy
- People with frequent nocturnal seizures
- Families looking for extra protection
Availability: Come and try them out at our offices.
Night-time protection
Intelligent surveillance for safe nights
Automatic detection :
- Recognition of abnormal movements
- Specialized detection of tonic-clonic seizures
- Instant alerts on iPhone/iPad
- Sound monitoring for noisy seizures
- Works in total darkness
Advanced features :
- Adjustable parameters to suit your needs
- Integrated two-way intercom
- Multi-camera system possible
- Portable with its own router
Website : samialert.com
Under-mattress detection
Specialized in tonic-clonic seizures
Benefits:
- Ultra-thin sensor under any mattress
- Instant detection of repetitive movements
- Adjustable audible alarm
- False alarm prevention
- No age or weight restrictions
- Easy installation, totally unobtrusive
Websites : emfit.com | epiusa.net
We’ve regained a peaceful, restful quality of sleep. My son has a very specific form of epilepsy (no convulsions), but the SAMi detects his seizures perfectly. We can now sleep peacefully.
– Annick, mother
Medical identification
Your voice when you can’t speak
Why is this essential?
In case of emergency, your medical identification :
- Inform first aid of your condition
- Indicates medications and allergies
- Provide emergency contacts
- Avoids incompatible treatments
- Speeds up appropriate care
Essential information to include
Mandatory
- Diagnosis: “Epilepsy
- Anticonvulsants (names and dosages)
- Drug allergies
- Emergency contact (name and phone)
Useful
- Typical seizures
- Known triggers
- Special instructions
Recommended types and sites
Available identification types
- Metal or silicone bracelets
- Discreet pendants
- Wallet cards
- Mobile applications with lock screen
- Smartwatches
Recommended product websites
Medical helmet
Preserved safety and autonomy
Who should consider a helmet
- People with frequent falls (atonic, tonic-clonic seizures)
- Active children and teenagers
- Poorly controlled epilepsy
- Increased-risk situations (change of medication, resumption of activity)
Benefits
- Head injury prevention
- Reduced anxiety
- Maintaining autonomy
- Peace of mind for the family
To purchase a helmet, visit the Ribcap website or go to the Centre Hospitalier Sainte-Justine (CHSJ).
My helmet isn’t what defines me, it’s what protects me. My safety is worth more than all the glances in the world. It allows me to live my life to the full, without fearing every second that a fall will hurt me.
– Patricia
Period Underwear
Beyond periods
Incontinence protection
These underwear adapt to the needs of individuals living with epilepsy, offering safety and peace of mind.
Epilepsy-specific benefits
- Discreet incontinence protection during seizures
- Practical system with removable pads for quick changes
- Economical and ecological – sustainable solution
- Stays in place even during sudden movements
- Eligible for Quebec municipal subsidies
Availability: Numerous specialized Quebec companies.
Biometric Connected Clothing
New emerging technologies
- Connected clothing like the Hexoskin shirt can now automatically detect focal seizures with impaired awareness
- Hexoskin is a Canadian company based in Montreal that develops solutions for epilepsy
- Advantage: continuous 24/7 monitoring without wearing constraints
Additional practical advice
Emergency Preparedness
- Personalized emergency kit for home/work/school
- Individualized intervention plans
- First aid training for loved ones
Stress and Trigger Management
- Adapted meditation applications
- Sleep management tools
- Connected stress monitors
- Other
