Safety and Security

False Alarm Reduction Tips

Having a monitored alarm system is one of the best ways to protect your home from intrusion, fire, gas leaks, water damage, and other threatening situations.  In the event of an emergency, your alarm will send a signal to our Central Monitoring Station.  Depending on your county's regulations, your local police department may be contacted to respond to an alarm.  While this is a quick way to get help during an emergency, there are far more accidental signals that get sent to the police than actual emergency signals.  When police respond to non-emergency alarm signals it is called a false alarm.  Here are a few ways to avoid accidentally triggering your alarm and reduce false alarms in your community:

 

  • TRAINING, TRAINING, TRAINING!  Make sure that anyone who has keys to your home knows how to turn the alarm system on & off AND knows the proper procedure to cancel a police dispatch in the event of an accidental alarm activation.
  • Make sure that anyone who has keys to your home has memorized the pass code to turn the system on & off as well as the pass code to identify the person to the Central Monitoring Station as someone with authority to be on the premises.
  • Notify the Central Monitoring Station when you will be traveling and who, if anyone, will be coming to your home while you are away.  If you give someone a key, give them a temporary pass code.
  • If you have pets, make sure your security system is tolerant of pets.  If you acquire a new pet, be sure to advise SmartCom Home Technologies, Inc., as soon as possible.
  • Before arming your home, make sure all of the doors & windows are closed and locked.
  • Make sure door & window frames are in good condition, as loose joints could cause false alarms.
  • Use deadbolt locks on exterior doors.
  • Use video or audio with your alarm system.  This will allow the monitoring station to see or hear what is happening in your home and verify an intrusion or fire.
  • Regularly service and maintain your alarm system once per year by a licensed and qualified alarm technician.  If you think something is wrong with your alarm system, schedule a service call with SmartCom Home Technologies, Inc., immediately.
  • Regularly replace the batteries in your alarm system per the manufacturer’s specifications.
  • Regularly test your alarm system.  Be sure to notify the Central Monitoring Station first so that no request for police is made.

 

 User error isn’t the only way an alarm is accidentally triggered.  Some other causes include:

  • Unlocked or loose doors.
  • People who have access to the home, but don’t know how to operate the system such as children, visitors, housekeepers, and wandering pets.
  • Drafts that may move drapes, plants, or hanging objects.  Make sure hanging decorations, drapes, etc., are away from motion detectors.
  • Remodeling or redecorating your home; reconfigure your alarm system when remodeling or redecorating as necessary.

 

A monitored alarm system comes with both great security and great responsibility.  Above all, you are responsible for your alarm system.  By using these tips, you can secure your home while reducing false alarms and the fines that come along with false alarms.