How to Stop House Alarms from Costing You Money

Do you own a home security alarm system? Then you know that having an alarm system can make you feel safer. You also know that false alarms happen. In fact, more than 90 per cent of the alarm calls that Peel Regional Police go to are false. The fees to the police organization and to the home owner can be truly alarming. Not only do they cost you money but they can cost people their lives.

While your alarm company may allow you a certain number of false alarms, at some point, you will have to pay for the extra costs of a false alarm. 

How False Alarm Costs are Broken Down:

• Your alarm company receives a call to their monitoring station from your house or business.
• Their employee calls you to see if you are alright which means you have to answer the phone and have the correct answers for them.
• If you don’t answer the phone, or have the wrong answers, someone has to check it out for you. Maybe you pay a mobile service, or the police get dispatched.  Either way, the responder gets paid to check it out, even when it is a false alarm.   
• When we respond to a false alarm call, our response to a real call for help is delayed.  This delay could cost someone else their safety.   

Tips to Help you Stop False Alarms:

• Before choosing an alarm system, research more than two companies. 
• Do they have a good reputation?
• Are they recognized by the Better Business Bureau or have a high standing in consumer reports etc. (Companies with good reputations have well trained, bondable staff who know how to use the system and will teach you how avoid false alarms.)
• Tell your alarm company your normal business and working hours.
• Have the alarm company explain what happens if the service line is cut and if there is a backup security plan.
• Schedule regular service calls with your alarm company to ensure the system is working well.
• Make sure all windows and doors are locked and all involved people are told before turning on the alarm.
• Keep any items like balloons, curtains and plants away from the motion sensors.

Let’s work together to avoid false alarms for A Safer Community Together and to save our resources.