 |
A
false alarm is a request for emergency equipment and
personnel, when there isn't a true emergency. False
alarms have become a real threat to the emergency services,
as when they are dispatched to a false alarm the services
that they provide cannot be used at the scene of another
emergency. In the past, communities used to have fire
alarm pull boxes mounted on telephone poles throughout
the town. This would automatically summon the fire department,
if pulled, in the event of an emergency. These pull
boxes are slowly being eliminated for various reasons:
|
|
|
With
modern technology and cellular phones being so popular
people tend to call in the alarm instead of "pulling
a box".
|
|
|
The
increasing cost to maintain this equipment.
|
|
|
The
number of false alarms produced by people "pulling
the box" and leaving the area.
|
|
|
Some
other examples of false alarms can be someone dialing
911 or signals generated from an alarm system when there
is not a true emergency. Human error, faulty equipment,
improper installation, or environmental factors are
some of the causes of a false alarm initiating from
a security system.
|
|
|
Any
responsible dealer realizes that this presents a clear
and present danger to the customers we service, the general
public and the alarm industry as a whole. This is why
the state and national alarm organizations have organized
committees to work with municipalities, legislators, dealers
and the general public on reducing the amount of false
alarms. |
|
|
How
can you help? A great deal of false alarms is due to user
error. If there is anything that you do not understand
about your system ask your dealer. When you first get
you alarm installed ask your dealer about a no dispatch
time frame. During this time, your central station will
not dispatch the authorities in the event of an alarm.
This time period usually ranges between one to two weeks,
and allows your users to become familiar with the system. |
|
|
How
can we as dealers help? We can spend a greater amount
of time instructing the end user in the operation of their
system. At SCCD any alarm from any of our clients are
automatically faxed to our service department. This enables
us to follow up on the alarms generated from your system.
If retraining is needed, we will come back out for this
retraining. If it is due to an unknown cause, we will
dispatch a service team to investigate the cause of the
alarm and make any repairs necessary. |
|
|
2.
|
|
Our
children are our most prized possessions. Take the time
to teach your child about strangers, and how to avoid
potential trouble areas when they are alone. Take a mental
note of what your child is wearing every day. A great
deal of police stations will fingerprint and photograph
your child so that they have this information on file
if something happens. Sit down with your child and discuss
what the family would do in the event of an emergency,
or a fire. Establish a meeting place outside of your home
in the event of a fire. Numerous people have lost their
lives going back into a burning building, to look for
a child, when the child was over a neighbor's house.
|
| |
|
3.
|
|
Security
around the house. Below is a list of tips to help reduce
your chances of being broken into. |
| |
|
|
|
Entrances
should be well lit. Install motion detector lights in
the driveway, front walk, and rear yard. |
| |
|
|
|
Trim
hedges and trees although they provide a nice appearance
and shade they also provide the would be burglar with
a lot of hiding spots to work from. |
| |
|
|
|
Install
a well-designed security system that is monitored by
a UL Listed Central Station. Most insurance companies
also provide a reduction in your homeowner's premium,
for a properly installed security system.
|
| |
|
|
|
Insure
that your house number is illuminated and can be clearly
seen from the street. This will enable emergency responders
to locate your house or business easily.
|
| |
|
|
|
Keep
all doors locked at all times even when you are home.
With that being said, we must warn you about the double-keyed
deadbolt (this is the type that takes a key on the inside
also). Although this type of lock is good on a door
with built in glass panels to prevent the intruder from
breaking the glass and unlocking the door, this type
of lock has caused numerous injuries during a fire.
With the limited visibility caused by the smoke often
the key cannot be found and the occupants are now trapped
in the house. If you must use this type of lock, please
make sure all occupants know where the key is kept,
and that they can find the key and operate the lock
in the dark.
|
| |
|
|
|
Be
a good neighbor. Watch for suspicious activity on your
block, if you witness anything call the police to report
the condition.
|
| |
4. Install
at least one smoke alarm on every floor of your home (including
the basement) and outside each sleeping area. If you sleep
with the door closed, NFPA recommends installing smoke alarms
inside the room. In new homes, smoke detectors are required
in all sleeping rooms, according to the National Fire Alarm
Code.
5.
Because smoke rises, smoke alarms should be mounted high on
the walls or ceilings. Wall mounted alarms should be positioned
4-12 inches from the ceiling; ceiling mounted alarms should
be positioned 4 inches away from the nearest wall. On vaulted
ceiling, be sure to mount the alarm at the highest point of
the ceiling. Smoke alarms should not be installed near a window,
door or forced air register where drafts could interfere with
their operation.
6. Smoke alarm maintenance. Test smoke detectors at least
once a month. Install new batteries in all smoke detectors
at least twice a year, for example when you change your clocks
(spring & fall). Clean all smoke detectors at least once
a year according to the manufacturer's recommendations. DO
NOT remove the batteries from these units for any reason.
If you are experiencing nuisance alarms you can reduce these
by moving the detector further away from the kitchen or bathroom.
Replace smoke alarms every ten years, whether or not you think
this is needed.
|
