Need even more reasons to seriously consider your best video surveillance and security system?
Remember that time you received a phone call in the middle of the night about a break-in at your business? Perhaps you jumped out of bed and made a mad dash in your pajamas to meet the police only to find a raccoon having a late night snack in your break-room. That false alarm was not only a nuisance for you and the raccoon, but it is an all too common negative experience for the dispatched authorities.
A false alarm is an emergency dispatch by the police, fire department, or medical services where the responding agency finds no evidence of an emergency incident. False alarm dispatches are a serious issue because they divert critical resources from other valid problems. As a result, they reduce response time and desensitize responding agencies. To put it another way, you and yours could end up as “the business who cried wolf.“ The more serious implications could be life-threatening while at the very least, you’ll find yourself with a big dent in the pocketbook.
While the number of false dispatches is decreasing as a percentage of total alarm and video surveillance systems, it remains a big issue. And that includes Louisville as well as across the U.S. According to research, everyone has a role to play in reducing false alarms.
Here are 5 ways you can reduce false alarms with your video surveillance, hopefully including IP Cameras and a CCTV security system:
Training
A study by the Department of Justice has found that well over half of false alarms are due to user error. Some simple tips to easily avoid this mistake:
- Practice using your alarm and/or video surveillance system until you are confident
- Double-check and ensure that everyone who has a key also has a code
- When you are away, designate someone local as the main contact for your system. Make sure that they know how to use the system and communicate this to your alarm monitoring company
Awareness
Planning on making any changes within your home or business? You should know how that will affect your alarm system. A few examples of how this might come into play:
- Restaurants & Entertainment Venues: Hanging graphics during promotional events can trigger motion detectors
- Remodeling: Getting new doors or windows? Try coordinating with your alarm monitoring service provider first
- Pets & Pests: Work with your service provider in consideration of the activity of your pets, especially if they are uninhibited while you are away. Also, if you have a pest problem it is best to call a pest control agency ASAP before one of the little guys sets off your alarm.
Service
Coordinate with your alarm monitoring service provider to ensure the equipment is installed properly and functioning as it should be. Servicing an alarm system can sometimes be a costly endeavor. For example, the average cost for a repair is $176. Therefore, it is best to work with a service provider who has a comprehensive service agreement.
Cooperation
Most local governments and municipalities have a false alarm reduction program. You should only deal with a Louisville service provider who is registered with the local false alarm reduction program. They can register your video surveillance and alarm system. Consequently, they can save you money in the event of a false dispatch.
Verification
The easiest way to reduce false alarms is through an alarm verification device such as video or audio verification. New technology allows monitoring stations to see and hear what is going on in your home or business when the system is armed. This ensures that when a dispatch does occur it is legitimate.
By reducing false alarms you will increase emergency response times that could potentially save a life. At the least, it will save you a buck. By practicing a more aware approach to your video surveillance and alarm system, and coordinating efforts with your service provider, you can begin to become part of the solution.
In fact, the only ones who think this is a bad idea are the criminals and the late-night snacking raccoons.
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