FALSE ALARMS | State Alarm Inc.

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According to the Northeast Ohio Media Group,
Cleveland police responded to more than 23,000
residential and commercial security alarms in 2013.
Nearly 98 percent of those electronic alarms were
false alarms.

False alarms collectively monopolized more
than 8,000 hours of police time and cost taxpayers
nearly $750,000, according to the city.

Why False Alarms Happen

Employees do not follow proper opening and
closing procedures.
Employee error.
Service providers or public having open access
to your facilities.
Janitorial staff not following procedures.
Faulty equipment.
Acts of nature (strong winds, electrical storms)

Prevent/Reduce False Alarms

Know your system, know how to operate it, and know exactly what your pass code is, in case you have a false alarm and have to speak to our operators.
Make sure that everyone who will be using the system understands it as well, and also has the pass code for emergencies.
Be mindful of things that can move around when you are not home, especially pets. Other common causes of false alarms are interior doors that are not secured and can move from breezes, and any other objects that may move either from a breeze or from the output of a heater/air conditioning unit (like plants, curtains and balloons, etc.).
If you are going on vacation, please make sure that anyone you have coming in to check on your house/business knows how to operate the system, and has our phone number in case of a problem. It is always a good idea to have someone available for us to contact while you are away, who has a key to your premises and can disarm the system if there is a problem.

BUSINESSES

Train all employees thoroughly on the alarms system.
Hold training sessions to make sure employees are aware of any changes to the system.
Move any hanging objects away from motion detectors/sensors.
Ensure all doors and windows are secure and locked prior to arming the system.
Inform the State Alarm’s Central Station of new pass codes, and of new or removed authorized users.
Be aware of holiday-related false alarms due to untrained seasonal/temporary help.

Enhanced Call Verification

State Alarm employs alarm verification – we call you, the customer, for proper identification before we contact the police department. This is done in an effort to reduce “false” alarms.

In an effort to further reduce “false” alarms, at your option, we will implement on your system(s) “enhanced call verification” as outlined in recommendations by the Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC) and the National Burglary and Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA). Florida Customers, Florida State Law Requires ECV on all alarm systems.
In addition to placing a call to your premises, a second call is placed. This call could be to a second number on the premises: cell phone, a neighbor, a friend, relative, an employee, etc.
If, after two calls we are unable to make contact with anyone, the Police will be dispatched. This applies only to burglary alarms — not fire, hold up or panic (duress) – as we dispatch emergency services immediately on these alarms.
If you are interested in using Enhanced Call Verification, please contact us here.

Important Things to Know

Should you accidentally trip your alarm, please be standing by the phone with your pass code so you can advise our operators that everything is all right. IF YOU DO NOT HEAR FROM US WITHIN 2 MINUTES OF THE ALARM ACTIVATION, PLEASE CALL US. Depending upon your alarm configuration, your system may use the main phone line to send signals to State Alarm. If this happens, our operators will get a busy signal when calling you on a land line. If we are unable to reach you within 2 minutes of receiving the alarm, the authorities will be dispatched. If your phone line appears to be "dead" immediately after an alarm trip, this is the cause. If you have a cellular or alternate phone line available, please call us with your pass code to let us know you are all right.
If you are not sure your security system is working properly, immediately contact State Alarm, so we can check the status of your alarm system and devices.
Service and maintain the system regularly (including replacing old batteries) before false alarms occur.
Contact us if you are having any type of construction/addition/remodeling planned, before it happens, so that we can advise you how your system will be affected.
Upgrade your alarm system if it is out of date.