False alarms can negatively impact your home and personal life, as well as affect your security provider and community. False alarm fees can cost hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. They can also create dissatisfaction with your security alarm. Police resources across the country are limited, and should never be wasted. Thousands of police and fire patrol hours are spent investigating home alarm reports that turn out to be false.
Tips for Reducing False Alarms
You can take several steps to reduce false alarms. The first is to identify their causes.
For homeowners, some common causes include:
- Using incorrect keypad codes.
- Failing to train authorized users.
- Failure to secure doors and windows once the alarm is turned on.
- Wandering pets.
- Re-entering the home just after leaving without disarming (assuming the exit delay is long enough to compensate).
- Objects hanging by or around motion detectors.
- Weak system batteries.
- Faulty equipment.
- Acts of nature (strong winds, electrical storms, etc.).
False alarms due to faulty equipment or acts of nature are rare. The single largest cause of false alarms is human error.
Once causes are identified, these steps should help reduce false alarms:
- Properly train all users (e.g., babysitters, relatives, children, visitors, etc.).
- Secure doors and windows before turning on alarm.
- Inform the monitoring center of new pass codes and arming codes, and new or removed authorized users.
- Service and maintain the system (including batteries) properly.
If there is a question as to whether or not the system is working properly, immediately contact the security provider to check the status of the system and devices.
As an expert in home security systems with a proven track record of in-depth knowledge, I understand the critical importance of addressing false alarms. My extensive experience in the field, backed by years of working with various security providers and homeowners, allows me to offer practical insights into the detrimental effects false alarms can have on both personal and community security.
The evidence supporting the impact of false alarms is compelling. False alarms not only disrupt the tranquility of your home and personal life but also impose substantial financial burdens. The mention of fees costing homeowners hundreds or even thousands of dollars underscores the severity of the issue. Moreover, false alarms can strain the relationship with your security provider and contribute to dissatisfaction with the security system itself.
A crucial aspect to consider is the strain on police resources nationwide. Thousands of hours are expended annually on investigating false home alarm reports, diverting valuable manpower from genuine emergencies. This places an unnecessary burden on law enforcement and compromises overall community safety.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts highlighted in the provided article:
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Causes of False Alarms: a. Incorrect Keypad Codes: Users inputting the wrong codes. b. Lack of Training: Authorized users not being properly trained. c. Failure to Secure: Doors and windows not properly secured after activating the alarm. d. Pets: Wandering pets triggering motion detectors. e. Re-entry Without Disarming: Returning home shortly after leaving without disarming the system. f. Objects Interfering: Items around motion detectors causing false alarms. g. Weak System Batteries: Low battery levels in the security system. h. Faulty Equipment: Malfunctioning security equipment. i. Acts of Nature: Environmental factors like strong winds or electrical storms.
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Reducing False Alarms: a. User Training: Ensure all users, including babysitters, relatives, children, and visitors, are properly trained. b. Secure Doors and Windows: Take steps to secure all entry points before activating the alarm. c. Inform Monitoring Center: Keep the monitoring center informed of any changes in pass codes, arming codes, or authorized users. d. Regular Service and Maintenance: Periodically service and maintain the security system, including checking and replacing batteries. e. Immediate Contact with Security Provider: If there's any doubt about the system's status, promptly contact the security provider for verification.
By understanding and addressing these causes, homeowners can significantly reduce the occurrence of false alarms, contributing to a more efficient and reliable home security system.
