Articles

False Alarm Prevention

April 3, 2017

FALSE ALARM PREVENTION: False alarms are a nightmare for alarm companies, a nuisance for police agencies, and can be a costly mistake for you. You may or may not be located in a city that charges for false alarms, but we should all take care to keep them to a minimum.

Here are scenarios for possible false alarms:

1. You have a new alarm system installed. You have your alarm code and your password. Some time passes and you mindlessly punch in the wrong code. The alarm goes off and you frantically attempt to enter the code again. As the siren is blaring our central station operator is calling you on the phone. If you do not answer the phone (don’t hear it or it isn’t with you), the operator will try the second number on your account. These calls are an attempt to confirm this is not a real alarm. If the operator is not able to get anyone on the phone, and you still don’t remember your code, we will notify the police. If you do answer the phone, the operator would want your password. This will allow the operator to hold off calling the police.
2. Your system is armed and you are gone. You have left a door unlocked, and a friend comes by (or not a friend), and opens the door to say “hello”. They trigger the alarm and leave because they feel embarrassed of what they did. We call the premise, and if no answer, we try two cell phones in an attempt to find out if this alarm is truly an alarm. If we get no one, we will notify the police. If we get you, or another responsible party, you can decide if you want us to call the police, or whether you want to have someone else (i.e. neighbor) check on the location.
3. Your system is armed and you are gone. You left the dog/cat inside and forgot to arm the system leaving the “motion detectors” OFF. The animal triggers the alarm. We call the premise, and if no answer, we try two cell phones in an attempt to find out if this alarm is truly an alarm. If we get no one, we will notify the police. If we get you, or another responsible party, you can decide if you want us to call the police, or whether you want to have someone else (i.e. neighbor) check on the location.

Besides being mindful and aware of your arming situation, you should also take some precaution with the actual equipment. Make sure doors and windows are locked – so they don’t blow open and trigger the alarm. Make sure there are no spiders lurking around your “motion detectors”. Don’t leave mylar balloons or banners where there are “motion detectors”.

Use your alarm all the time so your code is always in your head. Remember your password, so if you need to talk to an operator we can identify you. Keep your phone numbers with us current – if you change your number – LET US KNOW. Keep your “call list” with us up to date. Having appropriate people for us to call, in the event of a problem, helps us help you.

If you have an alarm activation on a door/window or motion detector more than once, call us to discuss the possible reasons and solutions. We can give you advice on what to look for and how to check for alignment problems, etc.

False alarms are something none of us want. We all need to do our part in keeping them down to a minimum. We are only a phone call away – so stay in touch.

-Colette Came