Verify It's Not a False Alarm Read any notifications or messages appearing on the keypad display (if it's nearby) and then investigate, however don't put yourself in danger to do so. If you suspect that there is an actual threat in the house, find a safe place to wait for the authorities.
Alarm systems should have an automatic cut-off device fitted to stop the alarm sounding after 20 minutes. Most modern alarms have such a device already fitted, but cut-out devices can be fitted to older, existing systems.
If you are in a room or hallway when the alarm goes off, you should evacuate immediately. Proceed to the nearest exit and leave the building as quickly and safely as possible. Once you are out of the building, move to a safe location away from the building and await further instructions from emergency personnel.
The most common causes of false alarms are operator error, improper installation, including poorly positioned motion sensors, and a lack of maintenance.
Approximately 80% of false alarms are caused by simple user error. Other common causes include installation mistakes and improper system maintenance. The good news is that these false alarms are largely avoidable.
It is normal for the smoke alarms to go off and sound briefly (up to 5-10 seconds) when you install a new battery or they are powered up. If the alarm continues to go off and no smoke is present, the cause may be: There may be insufficient battery power. Try another battery.
Notify your neighbour
As most burglar alarms are fitted externally, they might not be able to hear it clearly from inside and may even assume it's coming from another house on the street. Knock on the door if it's safe to do so, or if you receive no response, give them a call to alert them of the situation.
Check for Dead Batteries
A dead battery in one of your components creates a gap in your home security system. Some systems will react to that by setting off an alarm, alerting you to potential problems. Other home security components may sound an alarm when the battery gets low. This is the case for some fire alarms.
This usually involves disconnecting the power source. Wait for a minute, then reconnect the power to reboot the system. After the system has rebooted, test it by arming and disarming using your user code. This ensures the reset was successful, and the system is functioning as intended.
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.
Remove the AC power to the home alarm console from the wall directly. Use your console's access key (or another item such as a small screw) to unlock and open the system's backing. Lastly, disconnect at least one of the wires that are attached to the system's main battery, which is blocky and noticeable in most units.
The Autowatch Ghost Immobiliser
The Ghost 2 Immobiliser is a security device that can be installed in your vehicle discreetly, (without causing any damage to the vehicle) it works by preventing your engine to start unless certain buttons within your car are pressed in a specific sequence.
All modern alarms switch off after 10 minutes. It's being proven that burglars target weaker properties with no alarms or really old ones. It's a gamble to them if an alarm goes off, does a neighbour or garda turn up within minutes if it's monitored.
If it appears to be a false activation, contact the police on their non-emergency number as they may have the owner's contact details on their database. If it is a persistent problem, contact the local council or see the question in Related Information about noisy neighbours.
Electromagnetic interference can affect the operations of your fire alarm system by making it randomly go off. Other gadgets in your home can produce an electromagnetic field that interferes with your fire protection system. Therefore, your device must be in a position where it is not affected by other gadgets.
If you believe you may have accidentally set off your alarm, call your alarm monitoring company and inform them of the trip. While we go through a phone list that typically involves calling the premise, dispatching police/fire, and contacting keyholders, you can always contact us, too.
Is it better to hit snooze or wake up? Snoozing can disrupt your sleep cycle and leave you feeling groggy, a phenomenon known as “sleep inertia.” By getting up when your alarm first goes off, you give yourself more time to properly wake up and start your day.
What could trigger an alarm sensor? It depends on the type of sensor your home security system uses. If it's a motion detector, any moving thing could set it off, from a roaming pet to a wind-blown curtain. Contact sensors would be triggered by the window being opened or moved.
When a security system or its sensors have low batteries or aren't connected to a reliable power source, it can trigger alarms. Some security systems will give a “low battery” warning.
Factors Contributing to False Alarms
These include environmental factors, system configuration and maintenance issues, and human error. Understanding these factors can help in developing strategies to minimise false alarms. Improper configuration of fire systems can also contribute to false alarms.