How to Prevent False Alarms

A tremendous amount of pressure exists from Police and Fire departments to reduce false alarms as much as possible. Doyle Security takes this issue very seriously and has led the way in helping reduce these alarms by working with the Sheriff's department as well as with many Police and Fire departments.

Consider the following. The call goes out over the police radio and a patrol car is dispatched. The officers rush to the scene expecting to find a fire or crime in progress. What they find is an alarm system user who was careless with their system - a false alarm. False alarms divert valuable police patrol time and law enforcement dollars. Many communities are now levying fines for false alarms responded to by law enforcement.
An alarm system links your locations to an emergency response network, giving your business, employees, and families better protection and peace of mind. Alarm systems also carry with them a responsibility for the proper use and maintenance. Doyle Security believes that it is a joint effort to avoid false alarms wherever possible. If little or no attention is given to this issue, false alarms can actually aggravate the crime problem.

Fortunately, many false alarms can be avoided when a system is used properly:

• Make sure all doors and windows with sensors are completely secured before turning your alarm system on. A door that isn't properly closed can pop open after the system has been activated, causing a false alarm.
• Be sure that everyone who will use your alarm system knows how to operate it properly and what to do if the system is set off accidentally.
• Make sure all Contact Information, System User Codes, and Personal Identification Codes are maintained and kept current.
• Review system instructions periodically.
• Test your alarm system periodically to ensure against equipment malfunction. Smoke detectors, motion detectors and some other devices should be well maintained and checked on an annual basis by Doyle Security.

With this stated, we would like to recommend some general education for your employees through the use of newsletters or presentations (available through Doyle Security.) You may also want to consider stuffing security tips into each of your employees' paychecks. Security programs are not successful when your employees are unaware of the program. If you would like more information on reducing false alarms, please contact a Doyle Security Consultant.