how do i prevent false alarms?

• Make sure that anyone who has a key to your premises (children, employees, neighbors, caretakers, domestic or cleaning crews, delivery personnel, realtors, and all temporary staff) is fully trained to use the system. This means that they need to know how to arm and disarm the system. Assign different codes for non-family members!

• Know your alarm company’s procedure for canceling a false alarm. Have their call-back phone number available at hand.  However, never post your “pass-code” number on or near your phone. This is an open invitation to a burglar.

• Before activating your alarm system, be sure that doors and windows are CLOSED and securely LOCKED. This reduces the chance that friends, neighbors, or customers will enter and cause the alarm to activate. It also reduces the chance of the wind blowing open a door or window and activating your alarm. Unlocked doors are one of the main causes of false alarms in Palm Bay!  Unsecured doors and windows will not lead to a waiver of a false alarm!

• If you have left the premises and wish to re-enter and immediately leave again, disarm your system when you re-enter and arm it again before you leave. Often alarm users will remember that they have left an item in the premises and attempt to "beat the clock" by getting in and out before the alarm goes off. This is a sure cause for a false activation.

• Make sure that your system is programmed to give you enough time to leave your premises before the alarm activates and to enter your premises and key in your code before the alarm sounds. If you find the time-allowed is insufficient, contact your alarm servicing company to come back to your home/business to address this issue.

• Restrict your pets to areas without motion detectors. Even with "pet friendly” systems, they can jump or climb into the view of the sensors. Consider whether you want a motion detector if your pets have free run of the house when the alarm is on. Another culprit to setting off motion sensors can be something as small as a free-flowing mylar-style balloon, or Christmas decorations that may move freely as the result of the flow of cool air from an AC vent.

• Check your system’s batteries. If the batteries don’t work properly, neither will your system. They generally have a 3-5 year life span. Batteries are only rated to maintain your alarm system for up to a 4-hour period.

• Be aware that motion detectors can be activated by drafts from fans and air conditioners which can cause movement of helium balloons, decorations, or curtains. Move these items away from drafts or secure them.

• Some alarm systems are easily set off by thunderstorms or power outages. If this is the case with your system, it is malfunctioning and you should have it repaired.  Properly maintained alarm systems “will not false” due to a thunder-lightning “storm. 

• Test your alarm annually. Please Note: Notify your Alarm Company/Monitoring Station before conducting a test of the system. A response to a “test-mode” will result in a false alarm activation.

• Please have your alarm system serviced annually, similar to having your air-conditioning system checked annually.

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