Reduce False Alarms
No one wants to cause the police or fire department to respond to a false alarm and experience the embarrassment. Most false alarms are due to user error and can be prevented. Many home security systems today have verified audio response which also helps to reduce false alarms. Some police departments are requiring homeowners to have a verified response security system or they will not respond to an unverified alarm.
How can you prevent false alarms? Use the checklist below for some helpful ways to help you reduce false alarms.
False Alarm Prevention Checklist
- All users of the system (such as residents, employees, guests, cleaning people and repair people) are trained on the proper use of the security system and its operation.
- Make sure all users understand the time of the entry delay and the exit delay that is programed for your system.
- Make sure all users know how to cancel an accidental alarm and have the cancellation code or code word.
- Get training in the operation of the system at the time of installation and use the security system operating manual or user guide.
- Have Enhanced Call Verication setup properly. Make sure the secondary contact on your emergency contact list is available. May be wise to have multiple people (husband and wife) called to verify an alarm before the monitoring center dispatches police.
- Have Alarm Monitoring Center phone number entered into your phone so you will know when the monitoring station is calling you.
- Keep your emergency contact information updated and immediately advise alarm company if your phone number changes.
- Have the phone number to call monitoring center in case you cause a false alarm.
- Test your alarm system once a month.
- Understand the limitations of your pet immune motion sensors and the size of pet that would trigger a potential false alarm.
- Repair loose fitting doors and windows that have alarm contacts.
- One of the most effective ways to help reduce false alarms is to get an audio verification security system installed in your home.
False Alarm Reduction helps You Avoid False Alarm Fees
With city budgets tighting in recent years, police departments are starting to charge residents for false alarms. it is important to register your alarm with your city and get an alarm permit if required. In many cities residents who have registered or have alarm permits are given serveral false alarms per year with no fees or there is a reduced fee for homeowners with alarm permits issued by the city police department.
Obviously, the most important way to avoid false alarm fees is to not create false alarms. I believe for many false alarm reduction can be helped by having a verified response security system installed with ADT SecurityLink Monitoring.
Another way to verify alarm events is to have video surveillance that allows you to see your home from a smartphone or computer via the internet. You can visually see if it is a true emergency based on the video and personally decide whether you want the police dispatched based on the visual evidence you see.
Since many false alarms are due to the user not properly arming or disarming their security system, a simple solution can be using a keychain remote to arm and disarm your system. This eliminates the need to punch in a pass code on your keypad and makes your home security system as easy to use as your car alarm.
For addtional information on ways to reduce false alarms call 1-800-310-9490.
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ADT Authorized Dealer
There are over 600 ADT Authorized Dealers that install almost half of the ADT Security Systems installed each year. The ADT Authorized Dealer network helps ADT corporate market, sell and install ADT monitored security systems. ADT Dealers install ADT monitored security systems for home owners and also for small business.
ADT corporate does install new ADT monitored security systems as well but concentrates its efforts on ADT monitoring centers and service. ADT corporate also installs security systems for large corporations and businesses which have very complex security systems.
The ADT Authorized Dealer network helps ADT manage the huge amount of new ADT monitored security system installations. ADT protects over 6 million clients which is more than the next top 99 security companies combined. The ADT Dealers are a very important part of ADT providing you the best home security in the United States.
Choosing Your Local ADT Dealer
When choosing to get an ADT Security System installed in your home or business it is important to work with the best ADT Dealer in your local community. One of the advantages of working with a local ADT Dealer is that local ADT Dealers are privately owned and focus their efforts within their own communities.
A locally owned ADT Authorized Dealer provides you with Security Consultants and Security Installers who live in your area. This local presence gives insight to what is happening locally and what the best means of securing your home is.
Some of the largest ADT Dealers are nationwide and may not be able to offer as much local support as an ADT Dealer who's focus is on their local customers. Often with nationwide ADT Dealers you place an order over the phone and schedule an installation. For you it might be far better to have a local ADT Security Consultant come to your home to do a security review to ensure you get the best level of protection for your family, home and budget.
Top Local ADT Dealer in California
California Security Pro is the largest ADT Authorized Dealer that works exclusively in California. We concentrate all of our efforts on a local level. We live within the communities we serve and we still have local Security Consultants that come to your home for FREE to help you design the best security solution for your home and family.
California Security Pro is currently ranked number 22 out of over 600 ADT Authorized Dealers nationwide in volume of new customers protected. We also have incredible quality control and customer satisfaction scores.
When choosing to have an ADT Security System installed in your home it is important to make the right choose in deciding which ADT Dealer to have install your security system. If you do your research, you will find California Security Pro has some of the highest Yelp customer review ratings in the security industry.
California Security pro has also maintained an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and is a Prime Buyer's Report Top 10 Home Security Company. In fact, California Security Pro is currently the only security company on Prime Buyer's Top 10 to receive the Top 10 "seal of approval" having passed all ten of Prime Buyer's Report qualifications.
If price is important to you, we will also match any coupons or online offers for ADT monitored home security sytems. Our prices are very competitive and we'll match any offer you have in writing.
For more information or to schedule a free home security review call now at 1-800-310-9490.
Home Alarm Monitoring with ADT Security
Getting your home security system monitored is essential to providing security for your home and family. Having just a non-monitored, local home alarm does provide some protection by having a siren go off to alert you of an intruder and scare the burglar off. However, no one is notified of the alarm event (including yourself if you are not home) and no emergency help is on the way. Getting a monitored alarm system provides a far superior level of protection for your family.
Home Alarm Monitoring Service will provide emergency monitoring of the following:
* Must have the appropriate equipment to have all the above monitoring services.
ADT Alarm Monitoring Service Centers
ADT offers the most reliable and comprehensive network of interconnected Customer Monitoring Centers in the United States. ADT monitors over 6 million customers, 90% of Fortune 500 companies and around 100 US airports.
Multi tiered disaster preparedness procedures and an Internal Disaster Management Program means ADT is ready for almost any emergency. ADT monitoring back-up systems give you added protection for additional peace of mind.
ADT Home Alarm Monitoring Rates
Our monthly monitoring rates start as low as $35.99 a month for standard digital alarm monitoring. The monthly monitoring rates go up to $49.99 a month for smart phone connectivity and control of your security via the Internet. The most popular packages are around $45 a month.
Go to our Alarm Monitoring Pricing Guide to see which ADT Monitoring Service is right for you.
ADT Alarm Monitoring Services include:
You will also receive a discount on your annual homeowner's insurance by having an ADT Monitored Home Alarm System. Most insurance companies give between a 5-10% discount for your monitored burglary system and an addtional 5-10% discount for adding monitored fire protection to your home alarm.
Verified Response Protocol Information
San Jose has made the decision to not respond to unverified alarms and the policy change occured on January 1, 2012. While this will result in fewer police responses to reports of alarms, police will continue to respond to panic and robbery alarms.
The Department will also respond to “verified” alarms.
Verification may come in the form of sound, video, or eyewitness accounts that indicate a crime is occurring and thereby constituting a “verified” response. To learn more visit the San Jose Police Department's website to read San Jose Police Department Verified Response Protocol.
San Jose Police Department Reduce Alarm Response
Due to the false alarms the San Jose Police Department has experienced it will no longer responsed to unverified alarms. Standard alarm systems do not have audio verification and often users make mistakes and create false alarms. In fact, the San Jose Ploice Department found that 98% of the alarm events they responded to were false alarms.
THE PROBLEM: Many of the standard home alarms installed send a signal to an alarm central station when the alarm is tripped. Most often, alarms are triggered due to user error. When the central station tries to reach the homeowner on the phone to verify whether it is a false alarm, the homeowner often misses the call because they already left the home or because the alarm siren is sounding and they can't hear the phone call. The alarm central station then attempts to call the homeowners cell phone but if they don't answer, the alarm company calls the local Police Department to response. In San Jose, the police department will no longer response.
You need to get an ADT Audio Verified Security System installed so the San Jose Police Department will repond to your alarm.
ADT Audio Verified Security System
THE SOLUTION: One of the most cost effective ways to verify an alarm event that meets the San Jose Police Department's Verified Response Protocol is to have an ADT Two-Way Voice Audio Verification System installed. Order your ADT Home Security System with ADT's SecurityLink Alarm Monitoring Service and you will be assured your alarm will be audio verified and that the San Jose Police Department will respond to your home alarm.
An ADT Two-way Voice Audio Verification Security System with SecurityLink Monitoring provides you with speakerphone connection to ADT when an alarm is received by ADT Central Station Network. This allows for "sound" verification of your alarm event and voice communication during police, medical and fire emergencies.
To schedule a free security review of your home or to order an ADT Security System that meets San Jose Police Department Verified Response Protocol call us at 1-800-310-9490.
Broadview Security, Formerly Brink's Home Security was Purchased by ADT
On Jan. 19, 2010 Tyco International, owners of the ADT business, announced that it was purchasing Broadview Security, formerly known as Brink's Home Security. Broadview Security came into existence in June 2009, having formerly been known as Brink's Home Security. Brink's Home Security itself was a spin-off of the Brink's Company, this being their residential and commercial security installing business that they developed alongside the well-known Brink's cash transport business.
All previous Brinks Home Security and Broadview Security customers are now monitored by ADT Security Services.
Activate a Broadview or Brink's Home Security System
If you move into a home in California with a Broadview or Brick's Security Sytem and would like to activate it, call California Security Pro - ADT at 1-800-310-9490 to get your Brink's Home Security System Monitored.
We will also give you $850 of upgrades to your existing Broadview or Brink's System when you get monitoring from ADT. Most of the security systems installed by Brink's Home Security were manufactured by Honeywell/Ademco. At California Security Pro we activate, upgrade and install Honeywell/Ademco, GE and DSC security panels.
If you move into a California home or business with an existing Broadview or Brink's Security System and just need more information on your options please contact us.
False Alarms and Verified Response Protocal
This infomation is in response to questions asked by a local writer who's city is starting to use Verified Response Protocol. This means that local police department will not respond to an alarm unless it has been verified. This helps reduce false alarms but requires residents to upgrade their security system to audio verification systems or get video verification of alarm events before police will be dispatched to the home.
The information provided below is my answer to her questions:
I believe that audio verification alarm systems or video verification of alarm events are definitely a wise choice for home security. If everyone had an audio verification home alarm installed it would certainly help reduce false alarms. This would help our police force to better use their time responding to true alarm events instead of responding to false alarms. Most false alarms are due to user error, so having a system that provides hands free communication with speakerphone connection to your central station when an alarm is received definitely helps reduce false alarms.
However, I do believe that local police departments should respond to all alarms whether the alarm has been verified or not. Local police departments should have patrol officers that are driving through neighborhoods already and responding to alarm events certainly would not be a bad thing. If certain residents are creating excessive false alarms, there should be at some point minor fees to continue having the police department respond to alarm events at their residence. Also having residents register their alarms is helpful for police departments and I believe it's a good thing.
The real question is what should all this cost the resident. Homeowners are already paying taxes, so the question is why should they have to pay for higher level of security system monitoring to have police respond to the alarm? Should there be alarm permit fees and false alarm fees? If so, what's a fair price for this service? I personally do not know the answer to this. Obviously it would take real insight into the city's budget and the true cost of responding to alarm events to figure out what's right. Should the taxes residents pay cover the expense of the police department responding to alarms? Like many things in local government.... it's all about where the money is coming from and who's deciding how it is spent?
The Cost of Upgrading to a Audio Verification Security System
I myself have an audio verification security system with ADT monitoring. I believe that everyone should get audio verification if it's affordable for them. It might add a bit to the initial cost ($99 or less) depending on which system you go with and normally around an extra $5 a month for monitoring. Audio verification using Two-way Voice technology is also great for medical and fire emergencies. For most who understand the added benefits of having an audio verified security system, the minor upgrade in investment cost for your home security is well worth it.
Of course the DSC Impassa SCW9057 has the normal wireless security sensors and accessories like door/window sensors, motion sensors, key chain remotes, glass break sensors and smoke/heat detectors. However, customers are enjoying some of the exciting new accessories. Let's take a look at the DSC Impassa's new lineup.
New DSC Impassa SCW 9057 Wireless Accessories
Wireless Alpha-Numeric Keypad
Featuring a vibrant blue LCD display this WT5500 B Keypad is the perfect complement when adding an additional keypad to the IMPASSA Self-Contained Wireless Security System.
Because it's wireless, this secondary keypad can go anywhere you'd like it to go. Put it in the upstairs master bedroom, by the front door or in the shop. It gives you complete control of your security system, notification of alarm events, and system status where you want it.
It also gives you the police, medical and fire panic buttons in a secondary location in the house. It features multiple chime like the Impassa Keypad itself for notification of doors and windows opening and closing. This full featured wireless keypad is the perfect solution if you want a secondary keypad for your wireless security system.
Wireless Out Door Siren With Strobe
This DSC 2-Way Wireless Outdoor Siren WT4911 is the perfect complement to today's wireless security systems.
The 105dB siren output will help scare burglars away if they attempt to break into your home. It will also notify neighbors and emergency help coming to your home both with the audible siren and the strobe lights signaling them of a alarm event.
The outdoor siren can squawk to notify you that you armed or disarmed your security system with your key chain remote when your outside. The outdoor siren also provides outdoor temperature reading to the Impassa and the Wireless WT5500 Keypads.
Wireless Indoor Siren
2-Way Wireless Indoor Siren WT4901 sounds for alarms, door chimes, entry/exit delay and troubles.
This 85db indoor siren is an audible deterent for a would be burglar. The siren also helps you to know when your security system has an alarm event for either police or fire emergencies. It also provides a second place in the home to receive chimes and entry/delay notification when arming and disarming your system.
This is the perfect solution to providing a siren in a far bedroom, upstairs, shop, garage, in law unit, etc.
Wireless Carbon Monoxide Detector
The Wireless CO Detector WS4913 is the perfect complement to DSC's 2-Way Wireless Security Suite.
Colorless, tasteless, odorless but deadly, carbon monoxide (CO) is impossible for you to detect without a warning device. The WS4913 provides front-line protection against the silent threat of carbon monoxide poisoning.
It's also important to note that this is a monitored CO Detector. So in the event of carbon monoxide poisoning being in your home you and emergency crews will be notified even when you're not home. This way you can have peace of mind knowing no one in your family will come into a life threatening situation.
It's exciting to see these upgraded enhancements to DSC Impassa Wireless Security System. Now you have more options to get a wireless security system that will meet all your security needs and provide life saving protection for your family.
Although you can’t really put a value on protecting what matters most.... your family, what are some of the hidden costs of you owning a home security system?
When considering the cost of home security there are several things you need to factor into the overall cost of home security. The complete cost includes the initial cost of your home security equipment, installation, monthly monitoring rate, term and length of the monitoring contract, service and maintenance costs, potential city alarm permits, potential city false alarm fees and then you minus the annual savings on your home insurance for having a monitored alarm.
Consider these 5 Factors to Your overall Cost of Owning a Home Security System...
- Initial Cost of Your Home Security Equipment and Installation
- Monthly Alarm Monitoring Rate, Contract Length and Terms
- Maintenance and Service Costs of Your Home Security System
- Your City’s Alarm Permits and Potential False Alarm Fees
- Savings on Your Annual Home Insurance for having a Monitored Alarm System
Just remember to not trip over pennies when you are protecting your home and family. There is nothing more valuable in life than protecting your loved ones and the peace of mind that comes from knowing your family is safe from harm.
Let’s take a closer look at the 5 factors that effect the price you pay for home security and monitoring service.
Initial Home Security System Cost is...
...the combination of the price you pay for the security equipment and the cost to have your system installed. Many security companies have a Free Security System package that has a retail value of around $650-$950 and have a small installation fee of $99 (with monitoring service). Some companies may wave the installation fee depending upon the equipment package ordered.
Most customers want a bit more security than the Free Security System package provides and spend $200-500 in upgrades to the Free Security System package. Some customers desire very robust security systems and spend a $1,000 or more. However, for some it’s important to get the Free Security System package installed now and upgrade the system latter when it’s more affordable for them.
The Monthly Alarm Monitoring Rate is...
...for the service to have your home security system connected to a security company’s central alarm monitoring station. The central station dispatches local police and fire department in home emergencies and will also call your emergency contacts. The monitoring service is normally paid for monthly, but quarterly and annual options are typically available.
Alarm monitoring service rates vary but are typically between $35-50 a month. Contract terms are normally between 24-60 months with a balance payment between 75-90% owed upon early termination of the contract. It is also important to understand that at the end of the contract term some companies have an automatic annual renewal while other contract terms are just month to month after the initial contract term is over.
Some companies today are adding home automation service to security monthly monitoring rates. Monthly rates can be $65 and as high as $100+ a month. A $65 monthly rate with a contract term of 60 months is $3,900. So it makes since they can give you a lot of “free equipment up front”.
Your total monitoring cost is the monthly rate x contract term length + your cost to terminate the monitoring contract. If you ever move it is important to understand the cost of transferring your monitoring service to your new home.
Maintenance and Service Cost of Your Home Security System should...
...be considered when evaluating the total cost of your home security system. Some companies include free service with a minimal service trip charge of $25 as long as you continue your alarm monitoring service. However, some companies charge lower monthly monitoring rates and then charge you for service and equipment if you have problems with your system.
At $100 an hour and pieces of equipment costing between $89-$450 the cost of service and maintenance can add up quickly. For some companies their service department is a large profit center for the company. If the monthly monitoring rate is low, it is often a clue that service of your system is not included.
Also, what happens if the company who installed your security system goes out of business or sells your account to another company? What are the costs of service at that point?
Your City's Alarm Permits and Potential False Alarm Fees may add...
...to the overall cost of owning a security system. Every city is different, so it is important to look into your city’s potential fees for permits and false alarms. Often permits are around $25-40 annually and many city police departments just want you to register your home alarm (for free). Once your security system is registered, most police departments will not charge you for several false alarms per year. However, if you have excessive issues with false alarms, fees start to rise with each reoccurring false alarm event.
Paying a little extra for monitoring service including two-way voice communication that helps reduce false alarms is often worth the little extra on a monthly basis. User error is usually the reason for false alarms, so teaching everyone in the family how to use the security system is important. For some, a key chain remote makes the system much easier to use since you do not need to enter codes into your panel when arming and disarming your security system.
Savings on Your Home Insurance for having Monitored Alarm Service...
...helps reduce the cost of having monitored home security. Most often the insurance discount is a 5-10% for monitored security and an additional 5-10% when you add monitored fire protection to your alarm monitoring service. Depending on your annual expense for home owners insurance this savings can add up and often helps pay for a few months of the alarm monitoring service every year.
The cost of upgrading your security system to have monitored fire protection included often pays for itself within the first few years because of the additional annual home owners insurance discounts. Typically it’s just the one time investment in the monitored smoke detectors and it does not increase your monthly monitoring rate. If you are receiving insurance discounts for having fire sprinklers in your home you normally will not receive any extra discounts for monitored fire protection.
ADT Prices are Some of the Most Affordable Options for Home Security on the Market Today.
- ADT Intial Cost: ADT Free Home Security System valued at $850 with $99 installation
- Upgraded equipment options with available discounted packages
- ADT Monthly Monitoring Rates and Contract Term: Monthly rates between $33.99-$49.99, 24 month agreement (California Only), month to month after 24 month agreement, 75% of contract balance owed for early termination of the agreement and after 24 months of service ADT will install a Free Security System for your new home if you move anywhere in the United States.
- Residential Service Cost: With ADT residential monitoring packages with extended limited warranty, service for the first 90 days after installation is free. Thereafter, there is only a $25 trip charge for a service call. You will not be charged a service fee of $100 an hour or for equipment repair or replacement as long as you continue the monitoring service.
Protecting your home and family with a monitored home security system is worth the investment. For most, the cost of home security is a few hundred dollars at installation and bit more than a $1 a day for monitoring service. Well worth it for the additional “peace of mind” knowing you’ve protected what matters most.
ADT Monitored Cellular Alarm System: DSC Impassa 9057
The DSC Impassa 9057 is a robust wireless home security system and is one of the finest self contained cellular alarm systems available today. I you do not have home phone service... no problem. The DSC Impassa 9057 has a built in cellular communicator and communicates directly to ADT Central Station Network without using a traditional phone line.
With cellular alarm communication being the DSC Imassa 9057's primary means of communication, you also do not need to worry about a burglar cutting your phoneline like you do with traditional security systems. A cellular alarm system also connects in approximately 6 seconds to ADT's Central Station Network, four times faster than dial up with traditional phone line home security systems. In home emergency situations seconds save lives.
Cellular Alarm System with ADT SecurityLink Two-Way Voice Monitoring
With the DSC Impassa 9057 you will enjoy the benefits of ADT SecurityLink Two-Way Voice Monitoring without home phone service. Until recently Two-Way Voice Alarm Verification with ADT was only available with dial up phone line communication. There were ADT monitored home alarm systems that used phone line communication for Two-Way Voice communication and had cellular backup protection in case a burglar cut the phone line. However, the Two-Way Voice communication did not work over the cellular backup unit.
Now you will have ADT SecurityLink's Voice Connect communication over cellular with the DSC Impassa 9057. With this cellular alarm system you will still have Two-Way Voice's audio alarm verification, higher priority police response, ADT Operator's voice challenge of burglars, false alarm reduction and personal emergency communication in police, medical and home fire emergencies.
Enhanced Wireless Alarm System Equipment
One of the concerns some customers have with wireless self contained security panels is having a burglar tear the security system from the wall. With the traditional phone line communication of most self contained security panels, if a burglar were to pull the security system off the wall the unit would not communicate to the Central Station. However, with the DSC Impassa 9057's internal cellular communication and battery backup it can still communicate to the ADT Central Station Network even if it is torn from the wall. It also has a tamper switch on the back of the unit that immediately sends an alarm signal if the unit is even slightly pulled away from the wall.
The DSC Impassa 9057 uses ADT Monitored wireless door/window sensors, wireless motion detectors, wireless key chain remotes, wireless glass break detectors and wireless smoke/heat detectors. This cellular home security system also has the option for a wireless secondary keypad, wireless outdoor siren/strobe, wireless indoor siren and a wireless carbon monoxide detector. DSC Impassa 9057 has a digital clock and can also show the outdoor temperture when installed with the outdoor siren.
Prime Buyer's Report Top Ten Home Security and Home Alarm Companies in California
California Security Pro has received the Prime Buyer's Report Top Ten seal. The home alarm companies who have received this seal have passed what the staff of The Prime Buyer's Report has determined to be the Top 10 criteria for evaluating the quality and trustworthiness of a local home security company.
The Prime Buyer's Report is your definitive guide to local shopping and service. As a third party professional journalist, The Prime Buyer's Report has done all the research for you. You are faced with many options when it comes to choosing which home security company to trust. Trying to make sense of so many different and unsubstancial claims by local businesses can be daunting.
As a premier research and publishing company, American Discovery Publishing created The Prime Buyer's Report®. The Prime Buyer's Report uses 10 criteria to determine which home alarm companies and other local businesses are rewarded with the TOP 10 Seal. The ongoing product is a result of:
The Top 10 Criteria of Best Local Alarm Companies are:
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Proof of ActiveWorkers' Compensation
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Violations Check
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Thorough Disclosure in an Editorial Interview by The Prime Buyer's Report
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Best Practices
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Customer Satisfaction and Customer References Confirmed by Prime Buyer's Report Staff
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Zero Unresolved Complaints on Better Business Bureau Record
Northern California Top 10 Home Alarm Companies
Southern California Top 10 Home Alarm Companies
California Security Pro is currently the only Prime Buyer's Report Top 10 Home Security System and Home Alarm Company to receive the TOP 10 Seal.
California Security Pro is a Top 25 ADT Authorized Dealer
Besides having earned The Prime Buyer's Report TOP 10 Seal, California Security Pro is currently in the TOP 25 ADT Authorized Dealers nationwide (out of 600+ ADT Dealers). California Security Pro is the largest ADT Dealer that exclusively installs ADT Monitored Home Security Systems in California.
Schedule your home security review today from your local ADT Security Dealer and The Prime Buyer's Report Top 10 Home Alarm Company.