News & Tips

Spring has arrived in the Bay Area and at Denalect, it’s that time of year when we encourage folks to think about annual security system maintenance. Without routine maintenance, even the best system can fail, exposing you and your family to theft. Whether you prefer to have a technician come out or to do the work yourself, here’s an easy checklist on how to keep everything running smoothly for years to come.

Test your system. This is the most reliable way to make sure that Denalect (or your security provider) is still receiving the system’s signal. If you’re a Denalect customer, just follow these step-by-step instructions to do it yourself:

• Call the Central Station and tell them that you are testing your system. A Saturday or Sunday afternoon usually works best.
• Turn on the system while you’re in the house, then trigger the alarm by opening a window or door. Let it ring 15 seconds before turning it off by entering your code.
• Call the Central Station to make sure they received your alarm’s signal. Note: your phone line may be disabled for a short time if the alarm uses the phone lines to contact us.

Check the batteries. Another important maintenance step is ensuring that your system’s batteries are still working. While every system is different, here are some general guidelines:

• All of Denalect’s alarm systems have backup batteries in case of power failures. Expect to change the backups every 3-5 years.
• If you have Denalect-installed smoke detectors, they will most likely draw their power from the alarm panel. If your house came with smoke detectors, then you will most likely need to replace the batteries every year.
• Batteries for wireless alarm sensors and panic buttons also need to be checked and replaced periodically.

Unsure which batteries your system need to be replaced? If your alarm was installed by Denalect, we’ll have that info on record. Just call and ask for our service department. Or you can drop by our business office and we’ll sell you the batteries you need. Don’t want to worry about system testing and battery checks? For a small monthly fee, we offer a maintenance program that covers all necessary tests, battery replacements, etc.

If you would like us to walk you through either process or schedule a technician to come out, feel free to contact us at 925-935-2680, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Denalect Alarm is proud to serve home and business security and alarm systems in Northern California: Antioch, Blackhawk, Concord, Danville, Dublin, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.

Today we’d like to discuss one of the most effective – and inexpensive – ways to deter crime in any community. This is with a neighborhood watch. Also known as a block watch, town watch, apartment watch, and/or a crime watch, these neighborhood associations look out for each other’s homes, families, businesses and community buildings and alert the police to any suspicious activities or crimes in progress.

A watch can have other benefits too, including revitalizing neighborhoods and making your community a safer, better place to live. Interested in forming one? Here are some suggestions for getting started:

• First, meet with a small group of neighbors to discuss the watch concept and gauge their level of interest. Is this something the neighborhood wants or needs? What are the possible challenges?
• Next, contact the local police or sheriffs’ department, or local crime prevention organization. Discuss local crime problems and see if there are any requirements are for organizing a watch in your area. (Some places may need a certain number of houses to participate in the program.)
• Then hold a neighborhood-wide meeting to discuss the program. Once again, you’ll need to figure out your neighbors’ interest level, talk about the purpose of program, and work to identify any issues that will need to be addressed.
• If your neighborhood decides to start a watch, ask for block captain volunteers. They will be responsible for communicating with members on their block and keeping up-to-date info on residents.
• Establish regular meetings and communications with members. This can be over email, phone, newsletter, etc.
• Prepare a neighborhood map. It should include names, addresses, and phone numbers of participating households. Distribute copies to your members.
• Post neighborhood watch signs. When you’re ready, check in with law enforcement. They may be able to provide signs or tell you where you can order them.

Some other general tips:

• The watch concept is adaptable. It can be organized around any geographic unit, from a school or park to a neighborhood.
• Be as inclusive as possible. Make sure to include the elderly, working parents, young people, and folks with disabilities.
• Continue to work with law enforcement. Invite an officer to attend one or more of your meetings. Ask for help with training, how to report crimes, and tips for better home security.
• Do not assume the role of the police. All you and your neighbors need to do is be alert, observant, caring and to report suspicious activity or crimes immediately to the police.

Denalect Alarm is proud to serve home and business security and alarm systems in Northern California: Antioch, Blackhawk, Concord, Danville, Dublin, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.

If you’ve ever tried to stop the shrill, continuous chirping of a security or smoke alarm, then you know there are few things more frustrating to deal with, especially at night.

And since there are a variety of reasons as for why an alarm is beeping – safety risk, power outage, bad batteries, faulty sensors being among them – we’ve put together some general tips and strategies to help you silence it as quickly as possible.

First, check your security panel (or whatever device is beeping) to see if it’s warning you about a legitimate danger such as fire, intrusion or a Carbon Monoxide leak.

If that’s not the cause of the beeping, then check the batteries. Most panels and detectors continuously chirp when they need to be changed. Go through your home, checking all system batteries using a battery tester.

Next, try to silence the alarm panel. While each security system brand and model is different, almost all can be silenced in one of the following ways:

• Entering your code to disarm the system
• Arming the system and then immediately disarming it
• Pressing the status button on the keypad

If your system does not respond to any of the above methods, call your security provider. The problem could be faulty wiring, which is a job best left for those with electrical experience. Reputable security companies will help you troubleshoot over the phone and/or send out a technician to help with the problem.

For more information about silencing or arming five of our most popular alarm panel models, see the Arming & Silencing Alarms page on our site.

You can also contact our business office at 925-932-2211. Business hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Or, if you’re a Denalect customer, call our service department at 925-935-2680 between 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Denalect Alarm is proud to serve home and business security and alarm systems in Northern California: Antioch, Blackhawk, Concord, Danville, Dublin, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.

Here at Denalect, we know that even the most vigilant of homeowners can have their house, condo or apartment broken into. And while chances are slim (only one in 50 homes in the US are burglarized each year) knowing the do’s and don’ts of what your homeowners insurance policy can save you hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars.

• Most policies do cover the loss of personal property in the case of a burglary. The coverage limit for personal possessions is usually 50-75% of the amount of the coverage purchased for your dwelling.
• Homeowners and rental insurance policies don’t cover any personal injuries due to any assault during a robbery.
• Do know if your policy covers market value or replacement value. Your standard policy covers the market value of your property, which is the replacement cost minus depreciation. For an additional charge (usually 10% more) most insurance companies will cover the full replacement value (which is market value minus depreciation) for stolen property.
• Don’t expect to get full value for jewelry, computers and/or cash with a standard policy. Fortunately, many insurance companies do offer riders that will increase the coverage on these types of items.
• Do make an inventory list or video of your possessions. (Ideally, each item on your list should include the purchase date, price paid and a short description. If listing everything is far too time consuming, focus on the most expensive items and record the number of small items.)
• If you own any costly antiques, jewelry and/or paintings that require authentication to establish value, do get written appraisals for each item from an appraiser that’s approved by your insurance company.
• And, finally, do update your inventory record every year and keep copies in a secure location outside of your home. (Examples include a safety deposit box or a trusted friend’s house.)

For more general information or if you’d like a free estimate, contact our business office at (925) 932-2211. Business hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Denalect Alarm is proud to serve home and business security and alarm systems in Northern California: Antioch, Blackhawk, Concord, Danville, Dublin, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.

With other telephone service providers becoming more popular and affordable, some of our fire alarm customers are switching from standard AT&T land lines to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems (such as Vonage) or disconnecting their telephone line and relying solely on a cell phone.

However, depending on the type of fire alarm installed in your home or business, it may not be able to report a triggered alarm, fire or other emergency to our Central Station Dispatcher.

This is because many of our customers’ fire alarm systems communicate to our Central Station Dispatchers using standard AT&T telephone lines.

Since fire alarm systems are required by state and local fire codes, each must be installed and serviced in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association code (NFPA 72). By code, fire alarms MUST be connected to two standard AT&T telephone lines, one that’s dedicated to the system and one that’s a backup, or one radio and one phone line, or a two-way radio.

If you are interested in making these changes, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• You can’t use a VoIP telephone number or a similar service for your fire alarm. However, for customers who are paying for two telephone lines, we can move you to cellular radio. That will reduce your monthly cost by eliminating your need for two lines.
• When you order the new service, tell the salesperson that you have a fire alarm. Make sure that they guarantee their service is compliant with the fire codes and that your fire alarm system will continue to send alarm signals to our Central Station.
• You should always test your fire alarm with our Central Station after the work is completed on your telephone lines but before they leave. If there are problems, have the installing company fix them or call us for assistance.

So if you’re a Denalect customer that wants to make any of these changes to your telephone system, call our service department at 925-935-2680 to discuss between 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

If you’ve already made these changes, contact our service department right away. If the new phone service causes your alarm not to communicate with us, we can usually install a new transmitter that will communicate using wireless technology. The system is very fast, does not rely on any telephone, fiber optic or cable TV lines.

Denalect Alarm is proud to serve home and business security and alarm systems in Northern California: Antioch, Blackhawk, Concord, Danville, Dublin, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Livermore, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.