Elderly people in a sheltered housing scheme fear someone could die after they discovered problems with their emergency alarms.

Eileen Smith and Barry Wright tried to use emergency cords after their neighbour fell in the communal garden at Colne Lodge, Springwell Avenue, Mill End.

The pair carried an 88-year-old man into his flat after hearing him banging on a fence panel in a bid to attract attention and get help.

They pulled the emergency cord in the flat, but were met with a screeching noise rather than being put through to an operator on an intercom who could help them.

They tried two other cords, one in another room and another in a different flat and the same thing happened both times.

Barry Wright, 75, said: “If someone was having a heart attack, and that is the only thing in there and it broke when you pulled it, it would cost you your life.

“An incident like this is a wake-up call.

“We are in a U-shaped building. The garden is closer to the main office than some of the extended parts of the building. He was closer to the main office than some parts of the building.

“For them to say this thing [the fob] does not work in a certain place is nonsense. What is the point in having the fobs if they can’t protect people in the area that Colne Lodge has got here?”

Mr Wright called on the housing association to ensure the care-line cords work at all times.

The Watford Observer understands there are plans in place to fix the connection problems with the chords.

Colne Lodge has 42 one-bedroom apartment, with residents aged in their 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s living there.

Eileen Smith, 72, said: “We have not got any care now and there are 42 families in here without a care line. It leaves me very worried. What if one of us were to fall?

“If this thing works how it should do, why didn’t someone talk to us? Why didn’t someone call an ambulance?”

In a statement, Laura Stewart, Home Group senior client services manager, said: “Colne Lodge is not a care home. Residents live independently and have a warden pull cord system.

“In addition to pull cords in flats residents also have neck worn fobs for when they are in communal areas. Residents are made aware these may not work beyond the building.

“Pull cords are designed to break as a safety measure but Mr Crossley’s did activate. All our safety equipment is subjected to thorough quarterly checks and no issues were detected at the last inspection.”