False Alarms
Why are false alarms a problem?
- False alarms take police away from real emergencies.
- This embarrassing situation for you can endanger responding authorities and your whole community! Setting off a false alarm is like dialing 9-1-1; the police will come and this may delay them responding to a real emergency.
- False alarms can lead neighbors to ignore your alarm when it goes off. In effect, your security system becomes less reliable.
- False alarms may make you reluctant to arm your system -- exposing your home to undetected theft!
- False alarms can cost you fines, up to $500 apiece! Chronic abusers may even have police response suspended.
What can I do to avoid false alarms?
- 75% of false alarms are caused by user error. To reduce that number, make sure anyone with a key to your home knows how to operate your system. Make special arrangements for guests or repair technicians, and make sure they know the disarm code.
- Routine maintenance can greatly reduce false alarms. Have your security company check and service your system (including batteries) regularly. Also, call your security company immediately if your system does not seem to be working properly and before you do any remodeling.
What do I do if my alarm goes off?
- Do not panic. Remember your code.
- If it is an intruder alarm, stay where you are unless you can safely exit your home. Do not put yourself at risk by attempting to confront an intruder. If it is a fire alarm, implement your family's fire exit plan.
- If the alarm activation was accidental, carefully disarm your system. Carefully press each number of your code. If you make a mistake you can usually press "*" to start over.
- After you have reset the system, wait for your monitoring station to call you. Do not attemt to call them or they will get a busy signal.
- Do not leave your home until you have spoken with your monitoring station.
What should be done to reduce false alarms?
- Rehearse alarm cancellation with anyone who might use your system.
- Make sure everyone who has a key to your home or business knows how to operate the security system.
- Keep your security system instruction book, and your monitoring station's name and phone number handy.
12 Steps to Zero False Alarms
- If you give anyone your key, train them in the proper use of your alarm system.
Many systems offer temporary codes that only work a set number of times.
- When the alarm company calls to verify an alarm, know your passcode!
- When the alarm system is armed, be sure all doors and windows are shut tight and locked.
- Be sure pets are outside or in a room without alarm coverage.
- Check for drafts or wind or vented air that could blow plants, curtains, balloons, etc.
- Tell your neighbors about your alarm system.
- Test your system monthly, or at least yearly.
- If you remodel or add pets, be sure to let your alarm company know.
- If you have your home painted, fumigated, or use a bug bomb, be sure that all motion and smoke detectors are protected.
- Contact your alarm company and local police department when any alarm response information changes.
- Pay your alarm company to do a yearly maintenance and inspection check.
- Check detectors for spider webs and anything else that might interfere with detection.
We hope these idea will help cut down on false alarms. All of the Rogue Valley Police & Fire Departments work very hard to fight crime and fires. Anything we can do to lessen the stress of responding to false alarms is a big help to everyone invo
