Our Receipts
Anybody can say "trust me." We'd rather show our work. This is the sourcing standard behind every claim on the site — and the primary sources we lean on, with links, so you can check us.
Our sourcing standard
Here's the promise, plain and simple. Every factual claim on My Huckleberry Life — a price, a contract term, a rating, a test result — carries three things:
- A source. A link straight to where the fact came from, with the source name in the link so you know who's behind it.
- A date. When that source was published or last pulled, because a price from two years ago isn't a price today.
- A bias note when it matters. If a source is a manufacturer talking about itself, a third-party affiliate directory, or a single customer's account, we say so, so you can weigh it accordingly.
The 18-month rule
If a fact leans on a source older than 18 months, we flag it right there in the text and treat it as directional rather than gospel. Ratings and prices move; we'd rather tell you a number is aging than let you act on a stale one.
What we do when sources disagree
Sometimes the Better Business Bureau, Trustpilot, and a hands-on tester all report different numbers for the same brand — that happens constantly with medical alerts. When they conflict, we don't cherry-pick the flattering one. We tell you the range, name the disagreement, and point you to verify the number yourself before you buy. Certification claims (like TMA Five Diamond) genuinely conflict for a couple of brands, and we say so rather than pretend it's settled.
The primary sources we rely on
Most of the facts across our reviews and guides trace back to a handful of independent, well-known sources. Here they are, with links:
NCOA (National Council on Aging)
Our most-cited source. NCOA buys, tests, and rates medical alert systems and publishes response times, ranges, battery life, and pricing. ncoa.org medical alert reviews →
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
For accreditation ratings, customer-review averages, and complaint counts. We note that BBB figures shift over time. bbb.org →
Trustpilot
For large-volume customer sentiment and recurring complaint themes — billing, refunds, and device issues. trustpilot.com →
U.S. News
For hands-on device testing, including range tests that revealed real-world gaps between advertised and actual performance. U.S. News medical alert reviews →
SafeWise
For hands-on testing of reliability, GPS, and fall detection — including tests that found brands falling short of their own claims. safewise.com medical alerts →
Manufacturer sites
For certifications, current pricing, and contract terms straight from the source — always weighed as self-reported. Examples: MobileHelp certifications, Bay Alarm Medical, Medical Guardian, GetSafe.
We also draw on additional hands-on and consumer sources where they add something specific, including ConsumerAffairs, Forbes Health, SeniorLiving.org, and SafeHome.org. Every one appears inline, by name, next to the claim it supports.
Found a mistake? Tell us.
If a source has moved, a price has changed, or we simply got something wrong, we want to know — and we'll fix it and note the change. That's part of our editorial policy. Reach me anytime at myhuckleberrylife1@gmail.com.
Last reviewed July 15, 2026. My Huckleberry Life is an independent review site and is not a medical or emergency service.