False Alarms

False alarms can be a serious safety issue because first responders and equipment must be sent to a situation where they aren’t needed, which makes them potentially unavailable for a true emergency if one were to happen at the same time as a false alarm.

False alarms can be easily prevented! It just takes a little extra time to ensure proper care and attention.

Correct Contact Information

Your alarm monitoring company should have your most up-to-date contact information so that they can reach you while at home, or away.

It is important to make sure that you contact your alarm monitoring company before you test or do maintenance on your equipment, such as a smoke alarm.

Accidentally Triggered Alarm

If your alarm system has been accidentally triggered, call your alarm monitoring company immediately so they can cancel or disarm the alarm and prevent emergency crews from being dispatched.

Some monitoring companies will try calling you before dialling 911 to ensure the alarm is a real emergency. Be sure to answer their call right away.

Should you accidentally call 911, ensure you remain on the line and answer any questions from the dispatcher to ensure the emergency can be cancelled.

Proper Placement and Regular Maintenance of Smoke Detectors

Ensure smoke alarms are installed and placed properly. Smoke alarms should be at least 10 feet away from the stove and oven.

Smoke alarms should not be placed in bathrooms or garages to avoid shower steam and dust. Research shows its best to have interconnected smoke alarms in every bedroom.

Once per month you should test your smoke alarm along with every time you change the batteries. This helps protect the safety and well-being of your family by ensuring you have properly functioning equipment.

Replace your smoke alarm batteries twice a year; in the spring and the fall when you set your clocks back or ahead for daylight savings. A smoke alarm should be replaced if it is more than 10 years old.