Question:
My almost bar mitzva son wets the bed. We started using a bedwetting alarm to help train him. The alarm gets placed on his underwear and will ring once he starts to urinate. The doctors told us that consistency is key. Is there any way that we can use it on shabbos?
Answer:
Hello,
Assuming that the alarm is battery operated, and doesn’t plug into the wall, it is permitted to place the alarm on his underwear on Shabbos even though it might ring. This is for a combination of reasons, (see sources). A more significant issue here is if the alarm doesn’t go off on its own, then it should be put into a closet, or another place where it won’t disturb you. If this cannot be done, and it is disturbing, a koton may switch it off with a shinui, (the joint of his finger). (My understanding is that DRI Sleeper Eclipse alarm, will shut off after two minutes, which would be helpful regarding Shabbos. Don’t rely on my say so, check it out.)
A more significant problem would be if it shut off and needs to be used again, i.e. if he wet his bed at 2 am and you want to turn it on again, or with a two-day Yom Tov. Turning it on is a problem. However, this all depends on the specific model and how it works.
Best wishes, and a refuah shleima
Sources:
להלביש המכשיר על התחתונים יש בזה כמה צירופים להתיר. א' המכשיר כבר דלוק, ויש רק ספק של הוספת זרם, שהוא לכו"ע רק איסור דרבנן, והוא גרמא, וגם אינו מתעסק, כיון שהילד אינו מתכוון בכלל להפעיל הצלצול של המכשיר. ע' ארחות שבת סוף פט"ו מש"כ לענין טיטולים וכמה מהסברות שייכים ג"כ כאן. וגם יש בזה משום צורך גדול וגם אולי חולי.
