It’s common for many first-time homeowners or homeowners who have never used a home monitoring system, to think that an alarm system triggers too many false alarms. This perception is not entirely unwarranted. User error is a key reason to trigger an alarm, and such errors can happen frequently. The fact remains that a monitored alarm system is incredibly important and provides unparalleled value with regard to safety and security.
The problem is that when false alarms become too frequent, homeowners start thinking about canceling their service from the alarm company to avoid the ‘nuisance’. But now, their home is left vulnerable to theft and burglary. Now that is not just a nuisance but may end up being a tragedy! A better solution is to reduce false alarms and ensure your home monitoring system works the way it should—to protect your home. Choose home security that helps relax everything, except your standards.
Remember Your Verbal Passcode
When a customer has an alarm go off, the Central Station calls them to notify them of the alarm signal. And if it's a false alarm, this is the chance for the customer to notify the Central Station and cancel dispatch. The Central Station Rep asks the customer for their verbal passcode. The customer must then answer. If the customer doesn't remember it, then the dispatch procedure continues. The only way to cancel dispatch is by giving that verbal passcode.
Verbal passcodes are the way the Central Station Rep can verify that it's actually the customer. So safeguard yourself against forgetting your verbal passcode. Write it down and leave it somewhere in your home or keep it stored in your cellphone. Your verbal passcode is incredibly important so make sure you remember it!
Add Private Guard Response (If Available)
Private Guards are a great value and limit your risk for false alarm charges. Most police departments charge alarm customers for false alarms. In some areas the charge can be over $200! Private Guards are like insurance against these charges. With Private Guards, instead of police coming to your home to verify the alarm situation, Private Guards are dispatched. They'll assess the situation and notify the police if necessary. If it is a false alarm, then no problem. There are no additional charges. Private Guard response ranges in rates. With Think Protection, Private Guard response is $4.99/month. Private Guards are not available in all areas. To find out if they are available at your location call Think Protection.
Notify Your Emergency Contacts On Your Account
Most alarm companies will get customers to add 3 emergency contacts. Usually, the customer is the first emergency contact. The other two contacts may be friends, family members, or neighbours.
All emergency contacts should know they've been included in the account. Make sure they know their verbal passcodes and information about the location. Too often emergency contacts are never told they've been included as a point of contact so notify them in advance of adding the person to the account. This may save you a false alarm dispatch.
Bigger Pets Will Trigger Motion Detectors
Motion detectors are the best way to protect a location. The beauty of a motion detector is that when armed they cannot be bypassed. Most new motion detectors are pet friendly. This means that pets under 35 pounds can move around while the alarm is armed without triggering the motion detector. Pets over 35 pounds though will trigger the alarm. Because of this make sure that you speak with your alarm company about the capabilities of your alarm equipment. And if you add a pet to your home, understand that your system may have to be modified.
Answer Your Phone If It's A False Alarm
This last tip is the most important. If there's a false alarm at your home, let your alarm company know. So when the alarm company calls, answer it. And program the alarm company's phone number in your home. This way you'll know who is calling. Be responsive and prepare yourself for the call. This will avoid unnecessary headaches by resolving the situation quickly and effectively.
When a customer has an alarm go off, the Central Station at the alarm company calls them to notify them of the alarm signal. And if it’s a false alarm, this is the chance for the customer to notify the Central Station and cancel dispatch. The Central Station representative asks the customer for their verbal passcode. The customer must then answer. Your verbal passcode is incredibly important so make sure you remember it! If the customer doesn’t remember it, then the dispatch procedure continues. The only way to cancel dispatch is by giving the correct verbal passcode associated with your home monitoring system.
A verbal passcode is a required verification required for the Central Station representative to confirm that it’s the customer and not an imposter. While it is important for you to safeguard yourself against forgetting your verbal passcode, you also need to be careful that it does not fall into the wrong hands. If you must write it down, make sure you leave it somewhere in your home that will not be easy to find by a thief who breaks in. Don’t be the homeowner who trusts the door of the refrigerator as though it were a bank vault! Avoid storing your passcode for the alarm company in your cellphone, and if you do, make sure you encode it in some way only you can decipher. For example, don’t save it in your phone book as “thinkpro passcode”, but you could use something like “ode to pro”.
Private guards are a great value and limit your risk for false alarm charges. Most police departments charge alarm customers for false alarms. In some areas the charge can be over $200! Private guards are like insurance against these charges. The way it works is that instead of police coming to your home to verify the alarm situation, private guards are dispatched. They’ll assess the situation and notify police if necessary. If it is a false alarm, there are no additional charges. Private guard response ranges in rates. With Think Protection, you can choose the service option for Private Guard response and pay as little as $4.99/month. However, this feature in your service package is not available in all areas. To find out if it is available at your location, call thinkpro at 1-855-76-THINK or 1-855-76-84465.
Most alarm companies will get customers to add 3 emergency contacts. Usually, the customer is the first emergency contact. The other two contacts may be friends, family members, or neighbours.
Too often, emergency contacts are unaware that they are listed as a point of contact for someone’s monitored alarm system. All your emergency contacts should know they’ve been included in your account information. Make sure they know their verbal passcodes and information about the location. This may save you a false alarm dispatch.
Motion detectors are the best way to protect a location. The beauty of a motion detector is that when armed, it cannot be bypassed. Most new motion detectors are pet-friendly. This means that pets under 35 pounds can move around while the alarm is armed without triggering the motion detector. Pets over 35 pounds though will trigger the alarm. Make sure that you speak with your alarm company about the capabilities of your alarm equipment. And if you add a pet to your home, understand that your home monitoring system may have to modify.
This last tip is the most important. If there’s a false alarm at your home, let your alarm company know. So, when the alarm company calls you, answer your phone. Remember to program the alarm company’s phone number in your landline phone book as well as in your cellphone’s contact list. This way you’ll know who is calling. Be responsive and prepare yourself for the call. This will avoid unnecessary headaches by resolving the situation quickly and effectively.
Have more questions about home security, surveillance cameras and home alarm systems? Talk to a pro at 1-855-76-THINK or 1-855-76-84465. You can also contact us online. No long-term contracts, no hidden fees, no surprises. Just security and peace of mind.
