Consumer Tips for Reducing False Alarms
- WHY ARE FALSE ALARMS A PROBLEM?
- YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
- WHAT IF YOUR ALARM GOES OFF?
- BE PREPARED!
- False alarms take police away from real emergencies.
- False alarms are not merely embarrassing, they endanger responding
authorities and your whole community. Setting off a false alarm is like
dialing 9-1-1; the police will respond thinking there is an emergency.
- False alarms can lead neighbors to ignore your alarm if it goes off
repeatedly; it's like "crying wolf".
- In effect, your security system becomes less credible.
- False alarms may make you reluctant to arm your system -- exposing your
home to undetected theft or fire.
- False alarms can cost you big fines in many U.S. cities and towns. In
fact, in some instances, chronic abusers may even have police response
suspended.
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According
to The National Burglary & Fire Association 76%
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.
- 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 doesn't seem
to be working correctly or before you do any remodeling.
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1. Don't panic. Remember your security I.D. code.
2. Find out if there really is an intruder or fire and respond appropriately.
3. If the alarm activation was accidental, carefully disarm your system per your
system's instructions.
4. After you've reset the system, wait for your monitoring station to call you.
5. Don't leave your home or business until you've spoken with your monitoring
station and assured them there is not an emergency.
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1. Rehearse alarm cancellation with everyone who might use your system.
2. Make sure everyone who has a key to your home or business knows how to
operate the security system.
3. Give all system users the name and number of your monitoring station and a
security I.D. in case the alarm sounds.
4. Keep your security system instruction book, monitoring station's name and
phone number handy (but not in an obvious place where an intruder can find it!)
5. Call your monitoring station if you change your phone number, get a pet, plan
to sell or remodel your house, or test your system.
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There is a cause for all false alarms. To ignore a false alarm would
then have multiple dispatches of which most cities have ordinance and a fine. The biggest treat is that the responding police officers
recognize the residence as false alarm. It is our goal to avoid this stigma!
As a service company we have personal interest in
all of our customers . We utilize 100% of the alarms capabilities for reporting
trouble conditions and we oversea that they are resolved. In most
ways we are doubling as a property management company and in this we feel we are
a great value for your loyalty. Our promise to
increase our services and not decrease it - with your help we can deter and protect.
FirstChoice is a service company and would like access to your premises
by way of a lock box or a responsible party that can respond on a 24 hour
basis.
We can deter the stigma of your alarm fasling.
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