What happens when your security alarm system goes off when you’re out?
If your security alarm goes off when you’re at home, it can be a rude (and sometimes annoying) wake-up call - but that’s the whole point. The alarm in your home security system is designed to be a deterrent to intruders, as well as alert occupants and draw attention to your home, whether that be from neighbours, passers-by or authorities. Systems will sound for about 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the system, before stopping and automatically re-arming. If a sensor is triggered again the alarm siren will sound for another period, and this will continue indefinitely.
How an alarm is responded to will differ slightly for individual security systems and whether you have a professionally monitored or self-monitored alarm. If you are home when your alarm sounds, it is easy to let the relevant people know if it is a false alarm or not and get back to your day. But what about when you’re not home or out of town? What happens then?
If your alarm system is professionally monitored
When a door, window, or motion sensor is triggered and the applicable disarm code is not entered into the keypad within the pre-set time, an alarm siren will sound. Most systems will have a pre-programmed ‘delay’, usually around 1 minute or so, within which the alarm monitoring centre will wait until they call you or your chosen contact person/s. This delay allows you to disarm the system (if it is a false alarm) and not have a staff member instantly call you every time a false alarm goes off. If the delay goes by and the alarm is still going, the monitoring centre staff will call the relevant telephone numbers until they reach someone who answers. They may request a pre-established verbal password to ensure the right person has answered the phone (not an intruder) and, if it's established that it was a false alarm and the correct password has been given, no further action will be taken.
Depending on your security system and its capabilities, you or your monitoring company may be able to identify which sensor activated the alarm, which may assist in figuring out what may have triggered it. Additionally, a remotely accessed CCTV camera can also provide extra information on what's going on at your home and if there is an intruder setting off the alarm.
The monitoring company that oversees your system will have a particular procedure that they follow to ensure assistance is given if and when it is needed. The procedure they follow can vary, including your security setup and your chosen sequence of events. It is common for homeowners to request them to try calling several different contacts before notifying the police or a guard response service. Depending on your setup instructions, contact persons could be asked to attend the property or initiate a guard response service, in addition to other requirements or requests.
If your alarm system is not monitored or self-monitored
If you have chosen a self-monitored or non-monitored system, the process will be a little different from the above. Once the security sensors are triggered and the alarm sounds, the security system often automatically notifies, (by way of a phone call), up to three contacts that have been preloaded into the system. When one of the contacts answers the call, many systems will issue an ‘alarm siren’ sound to let the person know the security alarm has been activated. That person can then check the property themselves or notify a close neighbour or friend to go to your home and take a look.
Alternatively, you may have a self-monitoring system such as MyAlarm through your smartphone or mobile device. This allows you to oversee and control your alarm system from the palm of your hand, meaning you can disarm or arm an alarm remotely or receive notifications if activation of the system occurs. Not all systems are compatible with options such as MyAlarm, so speak to your local security professional to find out if your system is suited.
Warning lights
Most home security alarm systems don’t just have an alarm - they also have a strobe light located at the front of the property. If an alarm has been triggered, the light will flash until the disarm/rearm code is entered into the keypad, even if the audible alarm has stopped. This allows residents to know if an activation or break-in has occurred before they enter their homes, and allows them to act accordingly if they were unaware of an alarm.
Ways to stop a security system false alarm
To ensure you don’t have any false alarms either while you’re home or if you’re out, there are a few different things to keep on top of.
Quality of system
When you are completing your research to get a home security alarm or upgrade your current system, ensure you are choosing a high-quality system (even if it is a little pricier). The difference between an average alarm and a high-quality system is huge, and choosing the latter can mean fewer false alarms all year round.
Installation
Once you have chosen your home alarm system, ensure you are enlisting the services of a professional and reputable security company to install your alarm system correctly. If your system isn’t installed correctly, this can result in your alarm not working as it should with a potential for more false alarms.
Alarm system servicing and maintenance
The regular servicing and maintenance of your system can ensure it lives a long, happy life and causes you minimal issues whilst still optimally doing its job. People often overlook the need to service and maintain their home alarm systems, but it is a big part of ensuring they can protect you when you need it most. Although a lot of false alarms are caused by human error, faulty technology can be a cause which can generally be avoided through regular maintenance.
Not sure if your system is working correctly, needs a service or if you have the correct procedures in place for when activation occurs? Speak to our experienced security team for the most up-to-date service and advice on providing the best security for your home on 07 3353 3248 or complete our service request form today.