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Connecticut Burglar and Fire Alarm Association Develops Punch List to Prevent False Alarms

Many false alarms are caused by user error, according to the Connecticut Burglar and Fire Alarm Association. Other causes, a brochure released by the associations says, include unlocked or loose doors; children, neighbors and relatives, and wandering pets.

The brochure, available at the Redding, CT, Police Department, provides “workable solutions” to prevent false alarms. These include:

• Do not panic, there is time. Users should enter the disarm code carefully to reset the system. 
• Wait for the alarm company or central station to call. Give the company the ID code, which is different from the disarm code. Follow all procedures established by the monitoring system.
• Do not leave the home or business before talking to the monitoring station.
False alarms take police away from other pressing matters, a brochure released by the association states, are a nuisance to neighbors, make a security system less reliable and make homeowners reluctant to use their systems.

Before activating an alarm system, check the following:
• Securely close and lock all protected doors and windows.
• Make sure the door is closed tight.
• Keep pets, fans, heaters etc. away from motion sensor areas.
• Know and rehearse the process to cancel an accidental alarm. Users should know this process.
• Know how much time there is after the alarm system is armed when leaving and how much time to disarm the system when coming in.

The association suggests home and business owners ask their alarm company about regular service checks and routine maintenance. Alarm companies should be notified of home improvements, renovation projects, change of phone systems, or the installation of ceiling fans, skylights, or if fumigating.

For more information on how to prevent false alarms, call the CT Burglar and Fire Association in Wilton at 762-2444, or click here.