Tips to Reduce False Burglar Alarms

False burglar alarms can be a nuisance to not only the homeowner, but to law enforcement and your neighbors as well. Preventing false burglar alarms starts with the system design. A well designed security system should have very minimal false alarms if any at all. The security system should also fit your lifestyle and movement habits.

Below you will find a few quick tips to help reduce false burglar alarms and the possibliity of fines at your home or business.

• Never leave mylar balloons in a room with a motion detector. This is a big problem around Valentine's day. The balloons will float in view of the motion, and set it off.

• Ensure that no spider webs or cob webs exist around the motion detectors. If a spider or bug gets on the face of the motion detector, it can set the motion off. This situation can be very hard to troubleshoot. In some cases, especially in commercial settings, if you can put a moth ball behind the motion, it will greatly deter the bugs. But remember, the moth balls don't last forever and will need to be replaced every now and then.

• Make sure your alarm company knows if you have added a pet to the family. There are pet motion detectors available that are able to pick up a person, but ignore the animal. However, in the case of a cat, the cat may jump so quickly as to fool the motion into thinking it is a person. It is adviseable to look at other alternatives to a motion detector if you have a cat.

• Never leave your remotes out. The remote controls that come with some security installations have panic buttons on them. If you leave them out and a child or pet starts playing with them, it could trigger a false panic alarm.

• Make sure that all doors and windows are shut completely before arming the alarm. 

• Ensure that everyone who has access to the home or business knows the code to turn the alarm off, and the password if it is accidentally set off.

• Answer the phone if you set the alarm off. It is probably the monitoring company calling for the password.

• Do not leave things out that can fall in front of the motion detector. For instance, if you leave Hallmark cards standing up on a counter, and one of them falls down, it could trigger a false burglar alarm if the motion happens to be aimed in that direction.

• If you accidentally set your alarm off, turn it off immediately.

• If you have had windows or doors replaced, it is best to have a security professional repair the contacts. But if you should decide to do it yourself, you must ensure that you put the contacts back properly.

• Test your system once a month to ensure everything is working properly.

Most police departments have fines for excess amounts of false burglar alarms. Usually you get 5 free false alarm dispatches a year, but some agencies have only 3 free dispatches. If you set your alarm off, and the monitoring station calls you back and you give them the proper password, the alarm will be cancelled. This is not considered a false burglar alarm by the police. Only when the police are dispatched does it count against you.

It is important to note also that if you do not have a current alarm permit filed with your local jurisdiction, the police may not respond. If they do respond, you will probably incur a fine. So be sure to file your permit. To find your alarm permit for the Greater Houston area, visit our alarm permit resource page.