What should I know about false alarms?

There are three main causes of false alarms:

• User error
• Installation/service errors
• Equipment failure

Most common causes:

• Commercial users have a false alarm rate 3 times higher than residential users.
• Banks, schools and municipal buildings have a false alarm rate 10 times higher than residential and commercial alarm systems.
• More than 80% of all false alarms are caused by user error.
• False alarms present a serious threat to the effectiveness of local police, fire and EMS departments, as well as to the safety of our citizens.
• False alarms are costly and dangerous because they divert police officers from pro-active crime prevention efforts.
• False alarms can negatively impact successful and timely responses to true emergency calls.

Major causes:

• Unlocked or loose doors
• Children, neighbors, relatives, visitors, repair people
• Cleaning crews
• Pets
• User error
• Equipment malfunction

There are simple but important steps you and your alarm dealer can take to prevent false alarms.