All About False Alarms:

Why Are False Alarms a Problem?
  • False Alarms take police, fire and emergency medical personnel away from real emergencies. These unnecessary alarm responses can endanger responding authorities and your whole community!
  • False Alarms can lead neighbors to ignore your alarm when it sounds.
  • False Alarms reduce the perceived reliability and credibility of your security system.
  • False Alarms may make you reluctant to use your system, thereby exposing your home and/or business to undetected hazards.
  •False Alarms waste taxpayer's money! Many cities and towns assess costly fines, while some discontinue police response, for excessive false alarms.

What Causes False Alarms?
Up to 76% of all false alarms, commercial and residential, are caused by user error.
Always be prepared to identify yourself with your Personal Identification Code (PIC),
if contacted by your ADT Customer Care Center.
Be sure to instruct anyone who may be using your system, such as children, baby-sitters, employees, cleaning people, neighbors or real estate agents, in proper system operation and cancellation of false alarms. Make special arrangements for guest, repair technicians or other individuals who may have access to your premises.

False activation of sensors can include...
  • electrical/electronic items, which can quickly change temperature
  • open, unlocked or loose fitting doors and windows
  • drafts that move plants, chandeliers and curtains
  • wandering pets, stray animals or large insects
  • helium-filled balloons and party decorations

How Can We Help Prevent False Alarms?
  1. Make sure everyone who uses your security system is familiar with the User's Manual and understands how their system works. Anyone who has a key to your home and/or business should know how to operate your system and have a permanent/temporary PIC.
  2. Learn how to cancel the alarm if the system activates accidentally.
  3. Have A-Tech Security check and service your system regularly. Routine maintenance can help prevent many false alarms.
  4. Notify A-Tech immediately if you think your system isn't working properly.

Before Activating a System...
  • Lock all protected doors and windows.
  • Keep pets, balloons, electric fans and heaters away from motion sensor areas.

Be Sure To Refer To Your User’s Manual If You Plan To…
  • Test your system
  • Sell your home or business
  • Get a pet or watchdog
  • Hire domestic help
  • Fumigate your premises
  • Change you telephone system
  • Install anything near any system device
  • Remodel or renovate your home or business, including:
  • Replacing doors or windows
  • Installing siding, sky-lights or ceiling fans
  • Moving and/or removing wallpaper
  • Sanding floors
  • Installing air conditioning or insulation
  • Painting or plastering
  • Installing intercoms
  • Installing and/or moving mirrors/painting/pictures
  • Please note: If, after you have reviewed your Systems User's Manual, you have any further questions, call A-Tech Security at 250-561-0236 or toll free at 888-561-0236.

Be Prepared!
  • Rehearse alarm cancellation with anyone who might use your system.
  • Know how to use your PIC when contacted by the Security System Monitor.
  • Make sure that anyone with a key to your home or business knows how to operate your system and has access to operating instruction.
  • Keep your security system instruction book and A-Tech Security phone numbers handy.
  • Cancel all false alarms, since they don't need emergency response!

Your community's firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical teams
are ready to respond when your security system calls,
but they need your help to prevent false alarms!