Alarm and monitoring systems for the home and business are a great tool in helping prevent burglaries. They’re also great for minimizing the damage from fires and carbon monoxide leaks. But like everything else, alarm systems can malfunction. Sometimes those problems result in false alarms that waste the time and resources of emergency personnel. In order to avoid such things it’s important to have your system checked on an annual basis to make sure it’s working properly.

Hopefully the alarm system company you do business with performs routine checks at a customer’s request. If not, you’ll need to hire an outside contractor or switch to a company that does provide such services. Regardless, the last thing you need is alarm system that either malfunctions or is not installed properly,leading to multiple false alarms.

False Alarms and Zoning Laws

A growing number of cities have specific zoning laws regarding alarm systems. In these cases the municipal code states that a business or homeowner is allowed a limited number of false alarms on an annual basis. Once that limit has been reached, subsequent false alarms can result in fines and even the revocation of a permit to operate an alarm system. You can avoid this hassle by making sure your alarm is customized to your personal habits, and to check your system regularly. To learn how to check the status of your alarm system, check out this video:

Preventing False Alarms

As you inspect your system, check windows and doors to ensure they are air-tight. Many false alarms are caused when an insecure window or door is rattled by the wind or blown open by a storm. Breezes can also knock something over, potentially setting off your motion detectors and causing a false alarm. With a regular inspection of your system these things can be avoided.

You should also be aware of your family’s behaviors. If you know your forgetful teenager will not disarm the system when they come home from school, perhaps you can put a reminder for him or her on the refrigerator, or set up text message alerts for both of you to notify you when they arrive home. You should also be aware of your pets. While motion sensors can be set for pet sensitivity, they can also be triggered when your pet jumps onto a couch or climbs the curtains. Be aware of your family’s behavior and change your alarm settings to ensure the system works with your habits, not against them.

Don’t Cry Wolf

At both the commercial and residential levels, frequent false alarms are like crying wolf. If the police respond to multiple false alarms over several weeks, they may get to the point where they no longer rush to your premises if notified by your alarm company. This is the last thing you need if you are genuinely in danger because of a burglary or fire. You want emergency teams to respond quickly and efficiently to your alarms. Checking your system regularly will help ensure this happens.

Along those same lines, frequent false alarms cause homeowners and business owners to let down their guard. Think of it in terms of the fire drills when you were in school. Most of us remember doing three or four drills annually where we had to walk outside and assemble as soon as we heard the fire alarm. By the time we got to the fifth or sixth grade we didn’t even need to be told it was a fire drill. Even today, we are so accustomed to that sound and if the fire alarm goes off in a department store people are very slow to evacuate. The same scenario will develop in your home or business if frequent false alarms are not dealt with.

Choose Your Alarm Company Wisely

In addition to annual system checks, one of the best ways to avoid false alarms is to thoroughly investigate your choices before you sign up with an alarm company. Go with one that has a good reputation for customizing a system to your family’s needs using quality equipment, someone who installs that equipment professionally and to your specifications, and who can service your system after the sale. This is one area where you don’t want to compromise on quality. We recommend Pinnacle Security due to their many years of experience and long list of satisfied customers.