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"False alarms" applies to cases in which police respond to a monitored security system and find no evidence of a break in.
They have become a major concern to police departments. Many
report that over 90 percent of alarm calls they respond to are
false. When officers are occupied investigating false alarms,
they are unavailable to handle real emergencies. As a result,
many cities now fine homeowners who repeatedly produce false
alarms. Fines typically range from $20 to $100 (and are generally
on the rise), depending on the yearly number of false alarms at your
property.
Why so many false alarms? The biggest cause appears to be user error. Other causes can be improper system design, poor quality equipment, improper installation, and poor maintenance.
Why so many false alarms? The biggest cause appears to be user error. Other causes can be improper system design, poor quality equipment, improper installation, and poor maintenance.
How To Stop False Alarms
Police do acknowledge the effectiveness of home security systems in deterring burglaries. So the challenge for both security companies and homeowners is to prevent false alarms.
Tips To Prevent False Alarms:
1. Have your system installed by a reputable security company.
2. If you install a system yourself, purchase quality equipment from a reputable supplier and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
3. Make sure everyone using the system is thoroughly trained. Each month, have each person practice turning the system on and off-it’s easy to forget how if they use the system infrequently.
4. If your system is monitored, post the phone number of the central station near the telephone so you can quickly call and cancel an accidental alarm.
6. Test your system thoroughly each month. (Call your central monitoring station first and tell them you wish to put your system on “test” for an hour, two hours, etc. This way, they won’t contact police if they receive a signal from your alarm panel.) After testing, call the station again to confirm they received your alarm’s signal.
7. Follow your security company’s or equipment supplier’s recommendations for maintenance of your system. If you ever notice something isn’t working properly, get it fixed immediately.
Tips To Prevent False Alarms:
1. Have your system installed by a reputable security company.
2. If you install a system yourself, purchase quality equipment from a reputable supplier and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
3. Make sure everyone using the system is thoroughly trained. Each month, have each person practice turning the system on and off-it’s easy to forget how if they use the system infrequently.
4. If your system is monitored, post the phone number of the central station near the telephone so you can quickly call and cancel an accidental alarm.
6. Test your system thoroughly each month. (Call your central monitoring station first and tell them you wish to put your system on “test” for an hour, two hours, etc. This way, they won’t contact police if they receive a signal from your alarm panel.) After testing, call the station again to confirm they received your alarm’s signal.
7. Follow your security company’s or equipment supplier’s recommendations for maintenance of your system. If you ever notice something isn’t working properly, get it fixed immediately.
Other Useful Pages On This Site:
User Submitted Alarm Company Reviews
Alarm Devices Explained!
See A Step By Step Guide To Designing An Alarm
User Submitted Alarm Company Reviews
Alarm Devices Explained!
See A Step By Step Guide To Designing An Alarm
Above: You've invested your hard earned money in an alarm, now follow our tips to avoid false alarm fees!